How to change the orientation of movie clip, i.e. vertical to horizontal?

Question

How to change the orientation of movie clip, i.e. vertical to horizontal?

Hi,

With the best of intentions I took a movie in the vertical mode because it looked better given the situation. The quality of the movie is good... but when I imported the clip into iMovieHD 6.0.3, I found that it is in wide mode (which distorts the image), probably because I am using 16-9 mode since all of the other clips were shot in regular format. Can anyone give me a solution that would allow me to reorient this clip while leaving the other clips in 16-9?

Thanks in advance,

Scott

iMac i7, Mac OS X (10.6.4), iMovie 6.0.3

Posted on Oct 30, 2010 10:38 AM

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Answer 1

Klaus1

Level 9

52,749 points

Nov 14, 2010 2:10 PM in response to scott lorigan

You can do this using Quicktime Pro 7:

Open MOV file in QT Pro (QT 7.6.6)
Window -> Show Movie Properties
select "Video Track"
select "Visual Settings" from lower window
check "Preserve Aspect Ratio"
Click on appropriate rotation icon (MOV rotates!)
Click back on the open MOV in Player Window
FILE -> Save

You can also do this using TransformMovie, available here:

http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/21859

Also, MPEG Streamclip can rotate video while maintaining the aspect ratio as well as the interlacing when converting to DV, which is what iMovie prefers as an input:

http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/video/mpegstreamclip.html

There is also a plug-in for iMovie from GeeThree called rotate/scale that might do the job:

http://geethree.com/slick/index.html

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Answer 2

Nov 14, 2010 2:11 PM in response to Klaus1

Thanks for fast (and complete response). I was able to get as far as rotating the the mov but I couldn't locate the "open MOV" in the player window. Can you give me one more clue?

Thanks again,

Scott

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Answer 3

Nov 14, 2010 2:11 PM in response to Klaus1

I just re-read your post and realized when you indicated to "click back on the open MOV" you meant in the window just to the left of visual settings and the preserve aspect ratio check boxes. Correct? Unfortunately, I don't have anything in that window. Apparently I've misunderstood your instructions.

Thanks again,

Scott

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Answer 4

Klaus1

Level 9

52,749 points

Nov 14, 2010 2:11 PM in response to scott lorigan

You are using Quicktime 7 Pro?

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Answer 5

Nov 14, 2010 2:11 PM in response to Klaus1

Thanks for responding.

Yes I am using QT Pro. I tried MPEG Streamclip but was unable to find an option to maintain the aspect ratio. Perhaps it isn't possible to have three in 16-9 format and one in something different in iMovie HD 6.

Regards,

Scott

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Answer 6

Klaus1

Level 9

52,749 points

Nov 14, 2010 2:11 PM in response to scott lorigan

Keep exploring the various conversion options in MPEG Streamclip and you will find the settings.

Yes, you can mix the aspects, regardless of the fact that it may look odd!

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Answer 7

Klaus1

Level 9

52,749 points

Nov 14, 2010 2:12 PM in response to scott lorigan

You may find this useful:

MPEG Streamclip Tutorial:

http://www.moviesmac.com/tutorial/mpeg-streamclip-mac.html

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Answer 8

Nov 14, 2010 2:12 PM in response to Klaus1

Thanks again for your assistance. After numerous attempts to find a solution, I made an appointment for a call from Apple (which is quite convenient). A few minutes before I received their call I dragged the clip into iMovie and it worked 🙂. I don't know what was different about this effort but I'm glad it worked out. I'll explore the suggestions you offered for future projects. Thanks again!

Regards,

Scott

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Answer 9

Nov 14, 2010 2:12 PM in response to scott lorigan

MPEG Streamclip but was unable to find an option to maintain the aspect ratio

How can I rotate video (and preserve aspect ratio and interlacing):

http://www.sjoki.uta.fi/~shmhav/SVCDon_a_Macintosh.html#vert-horizrotate

How can I convert 4:3<->16:9 (and preserve interlacing):

http://www.sjoki.uta.fi/~shmhav/SVCDon_aMacintosh.html#43-169

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Answer 10

Nov 14, 2010 2:12 PM in response to Matti Haveri

Sorry I didn't get back to you earlier. Thanks for the helpful suggestions.

Regards,

Scott

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