iMovie 11 won't allow me to export a movie in 1080p only 720p

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Level 1

6 points

iMovie 11 won't allow me to export a movie in 1080p only 720p

Hi,
I was uploading some footage that I took with my Panasonic SD5.

After finishing my 2nd and starting my 3th one, the 1080p option is greyed out and the only option available is 720p and below.

It's the same format as the first two, nothing changed, so Why now I'm unable to export to 1080p?

Is there a setting or a cache that I must empty from iMovie to allow me to use the maximum resolution to upload.

I tried to upload a 3.5Gb file via the youtube web interface and it was accepted by the server and once the file processed, it's available via 1080p.

So that's why I thing it's a problem with iMovie and not YouTube.

Anybody has any suggestion.

Thanks

Mac Pro 4,1, Mac OS X (10.6.6)

Posted on Feb 15, 2011 9:12 AM

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Answer 1

raja777m

Level 1

13 points

Jan 21, 2017 10:13 AM in response to MWeb2K

Did you use Ken Burns to crop a part of the video?

Because, I used the same camera, same format every time and this time, one of the scenes had bad background, so, I cropped the part of the video, it is a small 4 second video, that I cropped, and it removed the 1080p option.

I tried to add a title with the text removed and a black background, each 0.4s, so that it can raise my resolution, but it didn't help.

iMovie 10.1.4

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Answer 2

Jan 30, 2017 7:37 AM in response to MWeb2K

SOLUTION

As this is still one of the first google results I thought I would share the solution for any one that is still having this issue.

I was having the same issues with the current iMovie and had to search quite a few forums to find the solution even though the answer is quite simple.

iMovie sets the maximum export size based on the size of the first media item you import into a project. Even if you delete or do not use that clip or image in the movie that you export.

To get around this you can start a new project and always import a 1080p sized image or video clip then delete it. After that you will be able to export at 1080p for that project even if all the other media you use in the project is at a lower resolution.

Hope this helps anyone that comes across this thread.

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Answer 3

Oct 7, 2017 8:48 PM in response to MWeb2K

Hi,

I ran into the same thing. I checked preferences in iMovie first, then, I went to my camera which I had thought I set to 1080p and embarrassingly enough saw that I had not chosen the 1080p setting. I had purchased a new camera, and forgot to check the video mode settings. It was set in my old one. I am going to shoot something right now, and make sure I will be able to upload in 1080p.

I hope that's all it was lol.

I'll let you know.

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Answer 4

Feb 15, 2011 12:41 PM in response to MWeb2K

Hi there,

I'm no expert, but for a quick suggestion, is there any way you changed the import settings when uploading to iMovie, so your footage is in the lower resolution? That happened to me once...and when all finished, my resolution was lower, and this was the reason.

I hope this helps,

Karen

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Answer 5

Feb 15, 2011 1:26 PM in response to MWeb2K

If you imported your clips into your Event in FULL they should be an 1920x1080 and you should get all options. If you selected LARGE, they would be in 960x540. It may offer you 1280x720 with this material.

You can check by right-clicking on one of your Event clips and select "Show in Finder". Right-click on the clip in the Finder and select OPEN WITH.../QuickTIme Player. In QuickTime Player, select WINDOW/INSPECTOR. You should be able to see the dimensions of your clip in the inspector.

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Answer 6

MWeb2K Author

Level 1

6 points

Feb 16, 2011 2:47 PM in response to 2cute2b2smart

Hi Karen,

I didn't change the import settings. I use the same for each of the movies that I imported into my project. I have done this always.

I use the Large option since I use AVCHD footage that I import via Final Cut Express and once it's converted into movie files I copy into iMovie.

I try it on my MacBook Pro with a movie file with dimensions as following : 1920x1080, and I get the same result, all options are available except 1080p which is grayed out.

So I don't think it's a computer problem but maybe a bug or an update in youtube that render this option not available anymore via iMovie.

Thank you for your reply.

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Answer 7

MWeb2K Author

Level 1

6 points

Feb 16, 2011 2:57 PM in response to AppleMan1958

Hi AppleMan 1958,

I did checked your hint and certainly I used large for a file size of 960x540.
I have done this always and since this saturday I always had the possibility to choose the 1080p option.

So why all of a sudden it stopped?
Is there a new policy with YouTube?

Thank you for your reply.

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Answer 8

MWeb2K Author

Level 1

6 points

Feb 16, 2011 3:02 PM in response to MWeb2K

I did try to import a movie in Full Quality, but then again all I got is the 720p option as the higher choice to pick up. 1080p is grayed out.

I don't know if it's a policy from youtube or what?

Anybody got any ideas?

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Answer 9

ML1234

Level 1

13 points

Feb 16, 2011 6:02 PM in response to MWeb2K

I am just trying to export my movie (not into youtube) just to my desktop and it will only allow me to export it as the smallest setting -- mobile 480 X 272. I have never had this problem before. Why can't we export in a higher setting?

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Answer 10

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

151,995 points

Feb 16, 2011 6:17 PM in response to ML1234

What format is that you're exporting? How are you exporting? If you export to QuickTime you can make it whatever size you want.

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Answer 11

ML1234

Level 1

13 points

Feb 17, 2011 4:37 AM in response to Tom Wolsky

I am just going up to the normal export; this is the way I have always done it (and even just a week ago) and it allowed me to do that just fine. I will try quicktime and see if that works, but not sure why all of a sudden if you just choose to export it normal, it has the other options greyed out.

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Answer 12

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

151,995 points

Feb 17, 2011 4:41 AM in response to ML1234

Can't help you. The size of the media usually determines the export options. I'd suggest using export to QuickTime.

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Answer 13

ML1234

Level 1

13 points

Feb 17, 2011 7:06 AM in response to Tom Wolsky

ok I will try that thanks

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Answer 14

ML1234

Level 1

13 points

Feb 17, 2011 7:14 AM in response to Tom Wolsky

As far as exporting, what is the best size to export as? High, medium, low, etc. I have normally exported just under "export" and not using quicktime. I am just using this to upload to a blog post. thanks.

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Answer 15

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

151,995 points

Feb 17, 2011 7:22 AM in response to ML1234

For a blog probably medium's enough.

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