export mp4 files from iMovie to quicktime has no video

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export mp4 files from iMovie to quicktime has no video

I have an mp4 video and import into iMovie 08. I did all the cutting and share it to the media brower (or export using quicktime). However, the video has sound but no video. Any things I need to download to fix it? I realized if I import another format video files other than mp4, everything works.

Mac OS X (10.5.2)

Posted on May 11, 2008 6:14 AM

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Answer 1

Jon Walker

Level 6

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May 11, 2008 6:47 AM in response to siuolly

However, the video has sound but no video.

Sounds more like your source file was either an Apple Animation or Apple Video compressed file. Both formats will import and edit normally but export with a "black" display.

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Answer 2

siuolly Author

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May 11, 2008 6:54 AM in response to Jon Walker

The video file was ripped from a DVD using handbrake. The DVD was created by my nephew for his school project (I tried to use the diskimage method but when I mount the image, iMovie doesn't detect there's a camara attached). I don't have the original source so I ripped using handbrake and import it to iMovie. So basically I guess I have to re-import the movie and re-edit? What's the best way to import the 15 minute movie into iMovie then?

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Answer 3

siuolly Author

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May 11, 2008 6:58 AM in response to siuolly

BTW, thanx for the help. I have a question.. how do I find out if my video is the Apple video or Apple Animation? I looked at the info file and it says Codecs: MPEG-4 Video, AAC. I have purchase quickttime Pro 7 if that's any useful in this situation. Thanks again.

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Answer 4

siuolly Author

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May 11, 2008 7:14 AM in response to Jon Walker

Update: using the quicktime inspector, it says the movie is

Format: 3ivx MPEG-4 5.0.2 720x480
FPS: 29.97

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Answer 5

Jon Walker

Level 6

19,467 points

May 11, 2008 7:32 AM in response to siuolly

3ivx MPEG-4 5.0.2 720x480

Strange, normally iMovie just won't even allow you to import DivX, 3ivX, or Microsoft MPEG-4 variations. And, while you can select the MPEG-4 video/ AAC audio option, a 3ivX encoder is not an option (i.e., only ffmpeg and DivX encoders are available in the version I have installed), so I'm not even sure how you could end up with a 3ivX encoded MPEG4/AAC file in an MP4 file container. Did you use the HandBrake TV preset or enter custom settings?

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Answer 6

siuolly Author

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May 11, 2008 7:40 AM in response to Jon Walker

When I look at the drop down for the list of encoder, it only shows ffmpeg and DivX. I choose ffmpeg (DivX for some reason causes handbrake to crash so I didn't use that). I did not use any of the Apple TV, PS3 or iPod pre setting in Handbrake. All other setting left untouch. I can play using quicktime player or VLC as well import into iMovie. Its just the last time of sharing the edited stuff so I can burn it to DVD using iDVD has problem.

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Answer 7

Jon Walker

Level 6

19,467 points

May 11, 2008 8:28 AM in response to siuolly

(DivX for some reason causes handbrake to crash so I didn't use that).

DivX, 3ivX, and Microsoft MPEG-4 are all proprietary compression formats. Suggest you try the TV preset for at least a "test" cut sometime. It is basically an H.264/AAC file (uses the X.264 encoder) at 2.5 Mbps. To test it just export a single chapter and see if/how it looks in iMovie '08 (or iDVD if you're not editing.) I personally prefer MPEG Streamclip w/QT MPRG component as I normally use AIC/AIFF or DV/32-bit 48.0 KHz in 16-bit (Big Endian) compression for iMovie '08/FCE/FCP source file editing.

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Answer 8

May 18, 2008 12:22 PM in response to siuolly

I have the same problem with my .mp4 video from cell phone Nokia N82. iMovie just show the preview but it doesn't show the video in the main window. The same result I got when try to watch video from Nokia N73.

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