John Rock

Q: Quality Problems with iMovie solve-able with Final Cut Express?

I'm using an old iMovie HD 6 (running OS 10.6 w. Rosetta) and if I want to edit any existing .mov files they are definitely lose a lot of quality as soon as I export them. I'm wondering if I can stop this by the use of Final Cut Express. I tried Final Cut Pro X trial version but it won't run on my Mac which has just the original graphics card (ATI Radeon HD 2600). Amazon sells the FCExpress but doesn't give the system requirements.

 

Mac Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.8)

 

Mac Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Feb 15, 2016 10:16 AM

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Q: Quality Problems with iMovie solve-able with Final Cut Express?

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  • by MlchaelLAX,Solvedanswer

    MlchaelLAX MlchaelLAX Feb 15, 2016 10:30 AM in response to John Rock
    Level 4 (2,256 points)
    Feb 15, 2016 10:30 AM in response to John Rock

    Have you tried iMovie 9.0.4, which is the latest version available that will run on Snow Leopard and does not need Rosetta?

     

    It is part of the iLife '11 package, which is then updated using Software Update...

     

    Screen Shot 2016-02-15 at 10.28.53 AM.png

                                                                [click on image to enlarge]

  • by John Rock,

    John Rock John Rock Feb 16, 2016 3:41 AM in response to MlchaelLAX
    Level 1 (14 points)
    Video
    Feb 16, 2016 3:41 AM in response to MlchaelLAX

    Sounds like it could be a winner, but can't seem to find it. Should be in the App Store I was thinking, but it's not. Any suggestions, and thank you!

  • by MlchaelLAX,

    MlchaelLAX MlchaelLAX Feb 16, 2016 8:24 AM in response to John Rock
    Level 4 (2,256 points)
    Feb 16, 2016 8:24 AM in response to John Rock

    I do not think that Apple sells iLife '11 anymore, so look for it at 3rd party sources, including Amazon and eBay.

  • by MlchaelLAX,Helpful

    MlchaelLAX MlchaelLAX Feb 16, 2016 9:23 AM in response to John Rock
    Level 4 (2,256 points)
    Feb 16, 2016 9:23 AM in response to John Rock

    To clarify, the versions of the apps contained in iLife '11 that will run in Snow Leopard are not sold by Apple anymore, requiring you to look to third party sources for purchase.

  • by John Rock,

    John Rock John Rock Feb 16, 2016 9:24 AM in response to MlchaelLAX
    Level 1 (14 points)
    Video
    Feb 16, 2016 9:24 AM in response to MlchaelLAX

    Thanks!

  • by MlchaelLAX,

    MlchaelLAX MlchaelLAX Feb 16, 2016 1:11 PM in response to John Rock
    Level 4 (2,256 points)
    Feb 16, 2016 1:11 PM in response to John Rock

    I have asked this iMovie HD user,  Steve Burke , to come over and give you some iMovie advice!

     

    https://discussions.apple.com/message/29795670#29795670

  • by Steve Burke,

    Steve Burke Steve Burke Feb 17, 2016 7:30 AM in response to MlchaelLAX
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Feb 17, 2016 7:30 AM in response to MlchaelLAX

    Old Toad is really the expert on iMovie HD and he recommends the following:

     

    "Once you have the project as you want it save it as a disk image via the File ➙ Save as Disk Image  menu option. This will separate the encoding process from the burn process.

    To check the encoding mount the disk image, launch DVD Player and play it.  If it plays OK with DVD Player the encoding is good.

    Then burn to disk with Disk Utility or Toast at the slowest speed available (2x-4x) to assure the best burn quality.  Always use top quality media:  Verbatim, Maxell or Taiyo Yuden DVD-R are the most recommended in these forums."

  • by MlchaelLAX,

    MlchaelLAX MlchaelLAX Feb 17, 2016 8:42 AM in response to Steve Burke
    Level 4 (2,256 points)
    Feb 17, 2016 8:42 AM in response to Steve Burke

    I think the OP is asking a different question about iMovie.

     

    Could you reread his oriiginal post and reply more specifically about quality loss with iMovie HD and whether a different version running n Snow Leopard and/or Final Cut Express is better for him?

  • by Steve Burke,

    Steve Burke Steve Burke Feb 17, 2016 12:48 PM in response to MlchaelLAX
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Feb 17, 2016 12:48 PM in response to MlchaelLAX

    This is the way to get the best quality from iMovie HD as it separates the encoding from the burning of the disc. If you just burn to disc straight from iDVD then the quality isn't as good. This is pretty much the extent of my knowledge regarding iDVD and iMovie I'm afraid, I know very little on this subject compared to others on the forum and often use their expertise to help me.

     

    "Once you have the project as you want it save it as a disk image via the File ➙ Save as Disk Image  menu option. This will separate the encoding process from the burn process.

    To check the encoding mount the disk image, launch DVD Player and play it.  If it plays OK with DVD Player the encoding is good.

    Then burn to disk with Disk Utility or Toast at the slowest speed available (2x-4x) to assure the best burn quality.  Always use top quality media:  Verbatim, Maxell or Taiyo Yuden DVD-R are the most recommended in these forums."