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Exported 4k video from iMovie are somewhat glitchy but the original .mov files are fine...

iPhone 14

Macbook air M1


I used an iphone 14 to record 4k video at 24fps. They look great when viewed in .mov form. I then put them into iMovie to edit them. After I export the files in 4K I find they are a bit glitchy through out. It seems to ever so slightly "ca-ca- catch" if I may, 2-3 times per second. It doesn't stop dead but it's noticeable and annoying as all get out. The sound seems fine.


Thanks for any suggestions!!



MacBook Air 13″, macOS 11.7

Posted on Feb 25, 2024 5:29 AM

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4 replies

Feb 25, 2024 8:13 AM in response to jackbootthug

Hi,


You might be playing your 4k 24fps clip at a higher project frame rate, thus causing some stuttering.


First, make sure that you have enough free space on your application drive (your internal drive) to allow iMovie to function efficiently. 20 GB should be sufficient.


Next, create a new project, one in which no clip has ever been inserted into it. Import your 4k 24fps clip into it as the first clip. That will set the project at 24fps. Now play the clip and see if the stuttering is eliminated.


-- Rich

Feb 25, 2024 4:40 PM in response to Rich839

Thanks Rich. This is very helpful and I know I'm going to need it.

But...

after actually checking the details it seems that some of my material is not 4K- it's 1080p So, I'm mixing material. Also, the 4k I do have for this project is 30fps not 24.


So, now a different question: is there a rule of thumb when mixing source material? I need something that will work for future projects not just this one.

I have:

4K 30fps

1080 30fps

1280x720 30fps

Going forward I expect to have more and more 4k at 24.



Thanks again for you help.

Feb 26, 2024 9:12 AM in response to jackbootthug

It's always best if the source material is as uniform as possible as to resolution and frame rate. If lots of mixed clips, you would want to set your project frame rate somewhere in the middle range of the cliips. However, you can usually mix clips to some extent without impairing quality as long as the disparity between clips is not too great. For example, if you insert a 24fps clip into a 60fps project you might get some stuttering with the slower clip, particularly if it displays a fast motion scene, like a motor car race. If it displays a more static scene, like a landscape, you might not notice any issue. If you insert a 60fps clip into a 24fps project, you might get a little slow motion on the 60 fps clip that, again, you might not notice if the scene is static. You probably could mix 24fps clips with 30fps clips without any noticeable problem. You will just need to play it by ear.


In the timeline, you can use iMovie's speed controls to increase or decrease the speed of a clip, thus increasing or decreasing its recorded frame rate. That might smooth things out. If the sound gets distorted there is a "preserve pitch" option in the speed controls.


With resolution, it is probably best not to mix clips that are separated by more than two levels. So, 720 with 4k should be O.K. Your resolution export settings might affect the result. Again, you'll need to experiment.


-- Rich

Feb 28, 2024 9:27 PM in response to Rich839

Rich,

Again this is just what I needed. Thanks for taking the time to break it down.

In fact, I did encounter a problem mixing 24fps and 30fps. So I'll need to play with it with your suggestions in mind.


I understand your comment about slowing the speed within iMove. It makes sense.

But is this preferable to putting clips through hand brake with the intention of changing fps before putting into iMovie? If using hand brake to adjust fps is is better to go up or down?


Anyway, you deserve to put your feet up and have a beverage of your choice!

Thanks.

Exported 4k video from iMovie are somewhat glitchy but the original .mov files are fine...

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