Stabilization works inside iMovie but export is unwatchable

I had this problem too, and the issue was that I was replacing a file. I tried saving with a different name that my previous version, and then it worked. Something about saving as the same name, it wasn't picking up the changes, if the ONLY change was adding stabilization. Hope that that works for you too.

Same problem here - it has been annoying me ever since I began using iMovie '11.

I prefer to move while shooting videos in the streets and at markets. Sometimes the stabilized video looks fine when I make my DVDs but sometimes I get the shuddering effect as if the camera was being rapidly shaken from side to side. Much more shaking than the original footage - it doesn't make sense at all.

I can't understand it as the footage looks fine inside iMovie.

I have done many tests but can't work out the exact situation that creates the problem when I export the video. Sometimes it's strongly stabilized video (maybe 130%) which creates the problem, but not always. Sometimes videos of fast moving subjects cause the problem, and sometimes a fast moving camera. But I haven't been able to work out a consistent cause.

Anyway, I hope some more advanced user can offer some help here. It just makes no sense that the video looks great inside iMovie but not when it's saved.

Sorry I couldn't help, but it's nice to know it's not just my problem.

I had exactly the same problem. My movie within iMovie 11 played fine post stabilisation (I'm from UK so we use an S not a Z) however when I exported the movie, those clips which were 'stabilised' turned out worse than the clip prior to using that process.

I was in the same boat as you guys, wondering what on earth could be the problem.

I did eventually find a solution that worked 100% for me.

Initially I had connected the camera via USB (Sanyo Xacti CG10) which uses SD card to store images and video, and imported the video content to iMovie. I then selected the individual 'clips' after import to analyse for stabilisation. I then moved them from the event to project area. Having completed my movie, I exported using Share and Export Movie (I also used Export to Quicktime) and selected 720p as that was the same as the source.

The clips which I had analysed for stabilisation and used stabilisation worked fine when viewed in iMovie. After export (irrespective of which settings I opted for) they were worse than had I not used stabilisation. They were totally jumping around and looked terrible.

I searched online for a solution and only found people with the same problem however no solutions.

Anyway, this is what I did and it worked.

I went back into iMovie and deleted the clips from both events and projects that were the problem. I then took the SD card from the camera and inserted it directly into my MacBook Pro. That launched iPhoto which I shut down and was left with an import screen from iMovie (I already had iMovie launched). I chose 'manual' and selected the scenes to re-import which had been the problem. I also selected to check for stabilisation during import. The scenes were duly imported to my iMovie event. From there I dragged and dropped the clips back into my project where they had been before. I then selected share and 'export movie' selecting 720p.

I have no idea why, but it worked. What I viewed in iMovie was now totally replicated in a .mov file of the same name.

My only theory is that there must be a software issue with iMovie. Depending on how you 'import' as opposed to doing changes within iMovie seems to be the key.

I shall offer my findings to Apple and hopefully this anomaly (which I imagine must be affecting all iMovie users!) can be rectified.

Just a thought...are the frame rates for the project the same as the videos you are using inside the project? I have been going back to old projects and I've noticed that if the frame rate for the project differs from the video, any of those videos which are stabilized play back slightly jumpy.

I am having this same problem and am really frustrated. I shot some footage with Canon 60D and I imported it into iMovie with the "Optimize Video - Full - Original Size" checked on.

After that, I went through and added my clips, adding stabilization. Everything looked good in the iMovie preview window and it was very stable and nice. But when I export it, the stabilization is lost! I've tried every export option, both with the iMovie defaults and through Quicktime but it always yields the same results.

Before someone posts about the CMOS sensor and rolling shutter issues, that is not the problem here. I know my camera has a CMOS sensor but I am not seeing any weird effects and once again it looks GREAT in the iMovie preview window but is not stabilized when I export.

Please help!