unwanted cropping in iMovie - how do i stop it?

Question

Level 1

0 points

unwanted cropping in iMovie - how do i stop it?

I am new to Mac. I have a Macbook Pro. I got it in order to make DVDs out of the videos I take of my students (I'm a teacher). I know how to import to iMovie9 but when I create a project, iMovie automatically cuts down the frame of the movie. It cuts off people's heads. I've already tried to change the frame. I've used standard 4:3, widescreen, and iPhone and the heads are still being cut off.

In the bottom part of iMovie (where the clips are before I drag them to the project folder), it's fine. Regular frame. But as soon as I drag it to the project folder and play it back, it's cut down again.

I haven't edited anything. I don't want to. Just want to transfer it to DVD. Can anyone help me with the size of the frame??? Thanks.

Macbook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6)

Posted on May 4, 2010 8:25 PM

Reply

Answer 1

zyfert

Level 3

610 points

May 4, 2010 9:09 PM in response to heartalm

This is just a guess but it's something you could try:
When you first set up a project and before you add any video/stills, go into File > Project Properties > Timing and set the bottom 2 items (Initial Photo & Video placement) to 'Fit in Frame'.
If you have a project already you could try bringing up the Inspector by clicking on the little blue box at the beginning then 'Cropping & Rotation'.
Click on Fit then Done.
Z.

Reply

Answer 2

May 5, 2010 5:18 AM in response to heartalm

I am also new to Mac en ran into the same problem. Found out that it is caused by the image stabilization function when downloading a movie from my camcorder. I don't know how to cut off this function for all projects in once afterwards. Piece for piece you can do this by clicking on the blue button in de left corner of the project frame and choose 'project adjustments' and then remark the stabilization function or place the button to the left to get a 100% image. (I don't know the actual terms because I have a dutch version.)

If someone knows how to get this adjustment for all the projects in once please let me know.

Reply

Answer 3

heartalm Author

Level 1

0 points

May 5, 2010 6:17 AM in response to Guidosaurus

Thanks for the advice. It works - but only some of the time.

For example, I clicked fit-to-frame, and then tried moving a little 4-second clip into the project. That small clip did fine. I thought, "Awesome." But when I added the entire 22-minute clip, it went back to cutting off people's heads. I tried re-clicking the fit-to-frame but it wouldn't switch back.

Any ideas?

Reply

Answer 4

zyfert

Level 3

610 points

May 5, 2010 8:14 PM in response to heartalm

As I said that was only a guess at the solution on my part - I have never experienced that issue.
However reading thorugh Guidosauras's post, could that be it - do you use stabilization?
If so, try turning it off.
When you first import files, don't choose to analyze them for stabilization.
In the project, double click to open the inspector then in 'Clip', deselect Stabilization: Smooth Clip Motion.
Read "stabilizing shaky video" in iMovie Help for more info.
regards,
Z.

Message was edited by: zyfert

Reply

Answer 5

May 29, 2010 1:51 PM in response to zyfert

Thank you soo much!!!!!!!

Reply

Answer 6

dkrpata

Level 1

0 points

Jun 13, 2010 10:16 PM in response to I need help man

Also found out, since I stabilize everything (at least did now that I found this happening). Is all I have to do is split the clip anywhere in the project and it seems to take the stabilization out and stop the cropping. interested if this works for everyone else as well.

Reply