iMovie 09 crashing using Canon EOS 5D Mark II, 1080p files too large?

For example, [see this thread in the Final Cut Pro discussions.|http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=8661947󓞒 7]

OK, I've downloaded MPEG Streamclip. When I export a H.26 file from it, for the highest possible resolution end result and editing in iMovie 08 (shortly 09), is Apple Intermediate Codec my best choice of formats. It produces a file some 3 times larger than the original H.26 file from the Canon 5D Mark 11. Also, I presume the "Quality" slider should be set to 100% for best resolution.

There are many other codecs available here, including lots of Apple options, but is the AIC the best choice for best final resolution?

Scott

AIC is best.

Thank you for that.

Final Question - Does iMovie 08 and 09 reduce the resolution of the 1080 HD files from the Canon 5D mark 11?

Scott

I will duck that question since I don't have that camera.

Well, let me rephrase the question. Does iMovie reduce the resolution of any video shot in HD 1080p, irrelevant of its original source?

Many thanks,

Scott

I have not had an issue with it, but my camera is 1080i, 30 fps, which seems to be in iMovie's strike zone. If you check the thread on deinterlacing, you will see a lot of reports of issues with 1080p.

Message was edited by: AppleMan1958

Message was edited by: AppleMan1958

Make sure you have applied the most recent Quicktime update (from a week ago). That update fixed an issue with crushed blacks which sounds kind of similar to the "dense" video you describe.

It suggests that you use 960x540, but you can import it at full hd res.
I find 960x540 looking great on PS3 and Pioneer 42" plasma.
And it is a LOT! smaller file on disk.

Last night I had my first project crash. This is after successfully editing 4 other projects using iMovie 09 and the Canon 5D MKII at full HD. I studied the files tying to find some common or uncommon threads. The only thing I came up with is the data rate is important??? For the 4 Projects that I was able to edit without problem the data rate was under 44mbit/sec. For the project that kept crashing the files that crashed were over 44.5 mbits/sec. I don't know if this is the issue or not, but I did not realize imovie 09 had a problem with 5D files as I have done 4 other successful projects. In fact the video i shot the day after the one that crashed, edited fine. (files were at ~42mbits/sec.

Well just my 2 cents.

"The Canon 5d MKii records in h.264 format, which is not generally an editable format in iMovie 09 or 08. Apple Support suggests importing in 960 x 540 size, which really seems to reduce significantly the resolution achievable by the Canon dSLR."

Apple support is simply wrong. I edit h.264 from a still camera in IM09. h.264 is Apple's baby.

Having said that -- because there are there are two popular Profiles (Main and High) and multiple Levels, two kinds of Entropy, and different numbers of possible Reference frames -- the 5d may generate h.264 that exceeds the capabilities of the Apple h.264 codec.

However, since I have edited 5d samples in 09, I'm not sure why/how some of your clips play fine and others crash. And, why clip length seems to matter.

So Appleman, so with MPEG Streamclip and the new imovie, I can edit5DMKII files and not lose any resolution/quality? I am a photographer but very new at this whole HD filming and editing. Thanks in advance for your feedback.

I agree that for most purposes 960x540 is fine, but if you are new to video and want to try the Apple Intermediate Codec route to edit the full 1080p using iMovie 09 then I have posted a short tutorial at http://www.theeoscars.com/cuttingroom

Hope it is useful.

+"it's then essential to make a smoothing adjustment to the clip (this is NOT the stabilization adjustment)"+
How do you make a smoothing adjustment without the stabilization adjustment?

I'm in the same (sinking?) boat. I was happily editing movies from my 5D2 with iMovie '08 and was all excited about '09. I haven't had much luck with '09 though. Constant crashes - adding a transition, adding a clip, just skimming clips. I was hoping that 10.5.7 might help but it hasn't made a difference. I don't understand how '08 never had a problem while '09 does. It seems like a regression to me.