New MBP 17" - iMovie Pixelation!!?

[mmyers]

Not sure where to put this -- it seems like a problem with my new Macbook Pro. I have the 17" version.

Please try this yourself and see what you get.

I am trying to import a video either from an iPhone 4 or a memory card from a Panasonic camera. Either one produces the same results.

When I preview before importing, the video plays back fine. After I import the video in iMovie, there are pixelation issues usually at the beginning and at the end. My clips have been about a minute long, so it could happen during the clip if they were longer.

I have tried all three USB ports. I have reinstalled iMovie. Could i have bad USB ports? I can sync in iTunes just fine.

I tried the same thing (import video) on my iMac and it works as expected.

Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks

 

[koruki]

Not sure about your panasonic but the iPhone 4 takes 720p video. Your 17" Screen is 1080p so the movie would have some pixelation if you play it on full screen?

 

[kowalabearhugs]

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[AuroraProject]

Is there an output setting in iMovie? Maybe you are telling it to compress the output?

 

[acedickson]

Not sure about your panasonic but the iPhone 4 takes 720p video. Your 17" Screen is 1080p so the movie would have some pixelation if you play it on full screen?

This is not a problem. You are merely viewing the limitations of your camera's technology. If you want professional results, i.e. no pixelation, you must use professional hardware and software solutions.

I disagree, 720p shouldn't pixelate enough to notice on a 17" screen. It's hard enough to notice anything on a 42"+ 1080p tv, if at all.

Also, he stated that it isn't occurring when importing to his iMac which I assume has a larger screen with at least the same resolution. I'll do some research and see if I can find a solution.

 

[mmyers]

Thanks for the responses so far. Some more points...

I used the migration assistant to move apps/data from my old macbook pro (mid 2009 model) to the new one. I used my time machine backup to do this.

It even does it when I use the iSight camera built into the display.

This makes iMovie completely unusable. I get the pixelation (bunch of black boxes all over the video at random points).

Could it be the migration? Could it be a display driver issue?

I am taking it to the Genius bar tomorrow, but was hoping to avoid the trip.

Thanks

 

[koruki]

I disagree, 720p shouldn't pixelate enough to notice on a 17" screen. It's hard enough to notice anything on a 42"+ 1080p tv, if at all.

Also, he stated that it isn't occurring when importing to his iMac which I assume has a larger screen with at least the same resolution. I'll do some research and see if I can find a solution.

If it isn't native it would pixelate. usually we don't notice because the players might do some processing with anti-aliasing to smooth out the pixels. I believe most TV's do some of that as well.

I wouldn't rule out the import re-processing or down sampling the video thinking its helping you save on file size. What if you export the movie from Image Capture and view it with Preview?