iMovies look in slow motion, but are moving at normal speed...what???

Hmmmm. I am wondering if possibly in your iMovie preferences you have the "apply slow motion automatically" box checked.

If so, any clips in the movie that were shot at higher than 30 frames per second would have slow motion automatically applied to them. So, check your iMovie preferences (iMovie/Preferences) and uncheck the box if it is checked. Then create a new project so that the preference change will be applied to it and put the same clips into it that were playing in slow motion in the original project. See if that cures it.

-- Rich

As I intimated in my previous post, it is difficult to isolate a problem without remote access to your computer, that we can't do on this consumer forum. Apple Support has the capability of remote access.

From an analytics standpoint, a problem is either media, software, or hardware related.

Regarding the media, we haven't addressed the possibility that this issue might be related to the specific clip that you are working with. What is the format of the clip? What is the frame rate, and is it constant or variable. If it is a variable frame rate possibly that is accounting for the random speed changes. You can try using the free download, Handbrake, to convert the clip to H. 264, Mp4/ACC and see if that makes a difference. In the conversion process set the frame rate to constant. Now see if the converted clip plays properly. Also, try with a different clip taken by a different camera, such as your iPhone or iPad, or maybe a sample clip downloaded from the internet.

Possibly it is a software problem, which would include the bug scenario. However, if it were a bug I would have

expected to see other reports of it on this forum, but I have not. In any case it likely would take a software engineer to property identify it, or at least someone with high level diagnostic tools. For non-bug issues we haven't tried anything but a redownload and placing the media in a new project, and those didn't solve it. I don't recall whether you reset preferences by opening iMovie while holding down the Option and Command keys, and selecting to delete preferences in the box that appears -- but try it if you haven't. Also you could try creating a new user account and opening up iMovie there. Another procedure would be to boot up in Safe Mode, then shut down immediately, then reboot in normal mode. You could try opening in a new library by holding down the Option key and creating a new library from the box that appears, then populate the library with a project. A final thing would be to reset the System Management Controller (see Finder help menu for instructions). Possibly one of the above procedures would shake out the problem.

It doesn't look like a hardware problem but you could run the Apple Diagnostics program (see Finder help menu for instructions) just to rule it out.

The thing is, without remote access to your computer we can just try various things in the hope of isolating the problem. That's why it could make it a whole lot easier if you work through Apple Support. Of course, you might find it helpful first to try some of the procedures that I mentioned above. Possibly something will work to identify or solve the problem.

I hope that the above is helpful to you.

-- Rich

You might try redownloading iMovie. Drag the iMovie icon into the trash, but don't empty the trash. Then sign in to the app store and open your purchases folder by clicking on your name at the bottom of the app store sidebar. You will see a display of your purchases, including iMovie. Download it from there. Then see if the new download works with your video. If for some reason the download is unsuccessful or unavailable, drag you present iMovie app out of the trash and return it to the Applications folder.

-- Rich

I’m pretty sure that preference changes take effect only for future projects. Nothing to lose by trying.

You might additionally try opening iMovie while holding down the Option and Command keys and selecting to delete preferences in the box that appears. iMovie will open in a new library. Reopen your old library to get back to your projects. This is a different procedure than changing preferences from the iMovie/ Preferences box.

— Rich

I think that you would benefit from a call to Apple support. The techs there are very savvy and have the ability to remotely access your computer, that we cannot do here. Click on the Contact Support item in the upper right hand corner of this forum’s screen. Navigate to a phone number. The techs there may be able to solve it.

If you have time, please post back with your results, as it may help others with a similar problem (although your issue seems quite unique).

Best of luck with this.

— Rich

Do NOT delete your iMovie library. If you do you will permanently lose all of your projects and media.

If you want to create a new additional library, hold down the Option key while opening iMovie, and select to create a new library in the box that appears. iMovie will open in the new library.

— Rich

O.K. If you don't want any of the projects and media in your old library, and you have all of your clips still on your camera, you can just select you old library and send it to the trash. The next time you open iMovie it will open in a new blank library.

-- Rich

Yes, drag the app in the Applications folder. The one in your dock is just an alias.

-- Rich

You might take a look at this online help tutorial that allows you to search by topic or search rngine.

https://help.apple.com/imovie/mac/10.1/

— Rich