Fuzzy Experted Movie Using Quicktime

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Fuzzy Experted Movie Using Quicktime

I am actually experimenting with adding watermarks and hit a problem with the watermark ruining the transitions. As a result, I did some research and learned that if you export the movie and then import it to add the watermark, the watermark will work properly - and it does. However, when I export my movie using Quicktime (and without Quicktime actually) the movie is fuzzy. Below are the settings I used in iMovie and you can also see what the Quicktime inspector shows. I have no idea what these all mean but I imagine I need to change something. When I export the movie and the result is fuzzy, the imported movie is also fuzzy. I need to have a first quality result. Using iMovie 09.

iMovie '08, Mac OS X (10.6.7)

Posted on Sep 19, 2011 8:29 PM

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Answer 1

Joe Gramm

Level 5

6,448 points

Sep 19, 2011 8:40 PM in response to serenity99

To Start, try changing the File Format to MP4. Change Video Format to H.264. Change the Frame Rate to Current.

What is the destination of the video, iPhone, AppleTV, Youtube, computer, etc.

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Answer 2

serenity99 Author

Level 1

9 points

Sep 19, 2011 8:58 PM in response to Joe Gramm

It is going to be put on YouTube.

Thanks for the settings. I will give them a try.

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Answer 3

serenity99 Author

Level 1

9 points

Sep 19, 2011 9:03 PM in response to serenity99

I tried the suggestions above but it's even worse.

I wonder what additional information I can give. It is a Widescreen 16:9 video if that makes any difference.

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Answer 4

Joe Gramm

Level 5

6,448 points

Sep 19, 2011 9:18 PM in response to serenity99

Youtube: Optimizing your Video uploads

I would try uploading your original video as is to Youtube. Youtube asks that you do little to change it before uploading to maximize quality.

If you do want to make changes, open the original movie file in Quicktime and then Window/Show Movie Inspector and send a screenshot of the Movie Inspector.

You are currently trying to convert HD video using SD compression. Yes, the video will look bad.

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Answer 5

serenity99 Author

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9 points

Sep 19, 2011 9:48 PM in response to Joe Gramm

What should the correct settings be for both SD and HD when I try to export it? Sometimes I do have to export a video to put on a DVD.

When I upload to YouTube I don't even see these settings.

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Answer 6

Joe Gramm

Level 5

6,448 points

Sep 19, 2011 10:15 PM in response to serenity99

serenity99 wrote:

What should the correct settings be for both SD and HD

Converting video depends on what you have to start with.

Example:

SD is a 4:3 aspect ratio typically, but not always 640x480 pixels

HD is a 16:9 aspect ratio 1280x720 or full HD 1920x1080

So for Standard Definition(SD) always keep a 4:3 aspect ratio and for High Definition(HD) always keep a 16:9 aspect ratio

Never upscale the video (Make larger than original)

Example:

You have an HD video that has a 16:9 aspect ratio, Frame size of 1280x720 and a file format .mov

If all you want to do is reduce file size, this is how I would convert, if using Quicktime 7 Pro:

File Format - MP4

Video Format - H.264

Data Rate - keep between 3000 to 5000 kbits (lower=smaller file size /higher=larger file size)

Image Size - 1280x720

Frame rate - Current

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Answer 7

serenity99 Author

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9 points

Sep 20, 2011 5:23 PM in response to Joe Gramm

So, if I am reading this correctly a Widescreen 16:9 video is always HD. Is that correct?

Now that I study the above, I am not sure it answers my questions about what settings I need in Quicktime to export a movie in HD and one in SD. The above talks about the settings for reducing file size but that is not what I want to do. I merely want to export.

Here are the settings I currently have in Quicktime. What SHOULD they be to export 1) a widescreen 16:9 movie and 2) a 4:3 movie?

I really need to get this right because my videos are seen by lots of people.

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Answer 8

Joe Gramm

Level 5

6,448 points

Sep 21, 2011 4:18 AM in response to serenity99

You can not just export a movile file in both HD & SD. It's not that simple. If you're starting out with HD, you should keep it HD. If you're starting out with SD, you should keep in SD. In General.

I think for anyone to help, you need to send the file information from your original movie file that you downloaded from your camera/video camera, iPhone, etc. Select the file/right click, Get Info. Please send a screenshot of that window.

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Answer 9

serenity99 Author

Level 1

9 points

Sep 21, 2011 9:38 AM in response to Joe Gramm

Thanks. I will do this before I export my next movie. My movies are made up of stills/photos. I only want to know what the correct settings are for exporting a widescreen 16:9 formatted movie and the correct settings for exporting a 4:3 movie.

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