Convert aspect ratio with pillarboxing (letterboxing)

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Level 1

9 points

Convert aspect ratio with pillarboxing (letterboxing)

I have a 4:3 video I need to display in Powerpoint which defaults to 16:9. Since most of the other videos in the presentation are already 16:9, I can't change the aspect ratio in Powerpoint or it all goes flooey. I can crop off the bottom or the top to fit 16:9 using iMovie but I lose that part of the video. So how can I convert the 4:3 to 16:9 with those pillarboxes (letterboxes) on either side so the video shows properly? Can I do this in iMovie or is there some other program I need to use - preferably free. Thanks for you help.

iMac 27″, macOS 12.2

Posted on Mar 31, 2022 4:58 PM

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Answer 1

Rich839

Level 8

48,156 points

Mar 31, 2022 6:16 PM in response to ricknz

Use the crop to Fit setting. That will display the full 4:3 video with black bars on each side to make it fit iMovie’s 16:9 screen.

— Rich

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Answer 2

Rich839

Level 8

48,156 points

Mar 31, 2022 7:17 PM in response to Rich839

Adding to my previous post: Here's a screen shot of the crop to Fit setting applied with a 4:3 clip. Note the black bars on each side to make it fit the iMovie 16:9 screen.

-- Rich

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Answer 3

ricknz Author

Level 1

9 points

Mar 31, 2022 8:06 PM in response to Rich839

Brilliant. I didn't realize the item had to be in the clips area to see the style menu and "fit/crop to fill/Ken Burns" sub-menu. Also because the iMovie background is black, I didn't see when the crop had been done because it is also black! Obviously, I need to be more observant. All is well, Thank you so much. iMovie is amazing!

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Answer 4

Rich839

Level 8

48,156 points

Apr 1, 2022 8:40 AM in response to ricknz

Great! Glad you are enjoying iMovie.

-- Rich

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Convert aspect ratio with pillarboxing (letterboxing)

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