iMovie imports 4:3 as 16:9

when you choose 'New Project' you're asked 4:3 or 16:9.. what did you select?

Another addition to this problem:

all setting to 4:3
imported material in 4:3

some was imported and processed as 16:9, some correctly as 4:3. A bug?

Dirk

... Another addition ...

is it? the OP discribes his problem in detail (import from tape), you don't ..
.. and haven't replied to my answer...

for sure, .mov can lack a 4:3 flag, or contain a wrong-setted 16:9 flag..
this is quite different to the OP's original question...

that's why the ToU ask you to avoid 'threadjacking' ...
we now have to discuss two different aspects in one thread.. not easy to follow that ..

😉 yes, it is not an answer, just another aspect of this problem which I encountered.

I am using iDive to import and archive my clips. The ones I mentioned were all within one batch that I imported without interruption from one tape. The files were then imported as a file import into '08.

Maybe it is a flag problem but, as said, some were handled correctly, others not.

I tried these files with the following other programs too, which processed them in the correct ratio:

iDive
Quicktime
iMovie 06
Norrkroos Movie
FCE

This is why I tend to believe, it may be more than just a plan settings problem, thus my addition.

Dirk

I have a similar problem.
When importanting a 4:3 movie but simulating 16:9 (that's the camera adds two black bands above and below the image) the import function thinks the format is 16:9 and therefore stretches the image. Is there a way to avoid it?

There is an option to report or contact support via mail under apple.com, check under support there. Don't remember the exact link, but you will find one there for each Apple app.

Please report if working it via the iMovie 06 import resolves the issue, for I had it with clips imported/captures via iDive. As written earlier, 08 was the only app, not to pick them up correctly, that is some ok and some not, all of the same import batch.

Dirk

I'm running into the same problem too. I'm trying to import a tape into iMovie '08 and it's being stretched from 4:3 to 16:9. I did not have this problem with iMovie '06.

Hi guys,

I had the same problem, but I could solve it. It looks like iMovie 08 tries to import all ".dv" files as 16:9. If they are 4:3, iMovie stretches them.
I was having the problem with some files, but with others don't. Checking the differences in the files I have realized than all the movie properties were exactly the same in all the movies, dimensions, bit rate, everything. So, where can it be the difference? The file extension. The files imported correctly did not have any extension. The ones with the extension .dv" were stretched from 4:3 to 16:9. I have removed the file extension from Get Info in finder (not with file rename) and also I deleted the iMovie Cache and Thumbnails. Now the movies clips are perfect.
I hope this helps.

I also have the problem, that movies recordered in the camcorder's 16:9-mode (which actually only adds black lines because it is a 4:3-camcorder) will be scretched on imovie's import. Is there an alternative (free) way to import those videos not using imovie? After that I could import the videos to imovie as files and use the "extension-trick".

RBL wrote:
Bingo! The non-letter boxed video imported just fine. I went to my old Mac that has iMovie HD on it, and the letter-boxed video imported correctly there, so I will try copying those imported files onto my new Mac and see if they still work.

Sounds like this is a bug specific to iMovie '08. Is there any way to notify Apple of the bug?

You can send Apple feedback of the problem you are encountering in imovie 08 by using this link http://www.apple.com/feedback/imovie.html and clicking on 'Bug Report' from the feedback type dropdown menu.