export settings imovieHD for large screen projection

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Level 1

4 points

export settings imovieHD for large screen projection

hello,

What are the best setting to produice the best quality to export a project from imovie6 HD to a hard drive that will be used to project the project on a large screen in a movie theater at a film festival?

I have been asked to provide an Apple Pro Res file but that isn't an export option in imovie HD.

Also, I have a 33GB thumb drive with USB connection--are there differences between hard drives that could influence the quality of the result (or affect the speed of transfer of the file)?

any help from someone who has experience with this situation would be greatly appreciated!

Jay

iMac (27-inch Mid 2010), Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Mar 18, 2013 1:22 PM

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Answer 1

Mar 18, 2013 1:40 PM in response to bniblick

I have been asked to provide an Apple Pro Res file but that isn't an export option in imovie HD.

Then I believe you have a problem. ProRes refers to a codec used to encode the video. As far as I am aware it is only in Final Cut. I don;t know of anyway to covert something from iMovie into a ProRes output without Final Cut.

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Answer 2

bniblick Author

Level 1

4 points

Mar 18, 2013 1:42 PM in response to Frank Caggiano

yes I realize that codec (Pro Res) isn't an option for me.

Given that the project is in imovieHD, would you know what the best export settings (QT?) would be for a project that is to be projected on a large screen in a movie theater?

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Answer 3

Mar 18, 2013 1:49 PM in response to bniblick

If they are asking specifically for ProRes it may mean that is the codec they need and are not able to handle anything else.

I would check with the technical folk running the festival to see if and what other formats they will be able to handle and what they recommend as a replacement. It's there equipment and there venue they should be able to recommend something.

If after that you still have questions post back.

regards

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Answer 4

bniblick Author

Level 1

4 points

Mar 18, 2013 1:53 PM in response to Frank Caggiano

the tech folks at the festival said a QT file would work, but which QT settings provide the highest quality for this type of situation?

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Answer 5

Mar 19, 2013 7:42 AM in response to bniblick

I thought someone with more experience with this sort of thing might have jumped in here but as no noe has I'll give it a shot.

I still think that the people with the projection equipment should be telling you want they want. Telling you a QT file means little there are many formats that a QT file can be in.

I would guess if it is HD then 1080p, H.264, best quality will probably get you the best video that you will be sure they can use.

good luck

regards

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Answer 6

bniblick Author

Level 1

4 points

Mar 19, 2013 8:53 AM in response to Frank Caggiano

Thanks for taking the time to address my question, Frank. You're probably correct about asking the people with the projection wquipment; however, different projects appear to benefit from different export settings and I was hoping to have a discussion with someone who is knowledgeable aobut how each of the possible settings might optimize the final look of my project when it will be projected in a large setting like a movie theater.

Do you think I should post this question with a different community? maybe Quicktime?

again, I appreciate your efforts and time.

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Answer 7

Mar 19, 2013 8:59 AM in response to bniblick

It would also be helpful to know what kind of media you are using in iMovie 6. Most people who use iMovie 6 are using standard def DV, but if you are using HDV or something else it would change the answer.

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Answer 8

bniblick Author

Level 1

4 points

Mar 19, 2013 9:02 AM in response to AppleMan1958

The media is mostly SD but there is also some HD footage, so it's a combination.

thanks for addressing my problem.

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Answer 9

Mar 19, 2013 9:14 AM in response to bniblick

I would export as h.264 in SD size.

If the device will not accept MOV files, I would use MP4 container with h.264 codec.

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Answer 10

bniblick Author

Level 1

4 points

Mar 20, 2013 4:40 PM in response to bniblick

Wlhen I made a H.264 720X480 SD QT file, the project file size decreased to 2 GB from a 25GB imovie file so I'm concerned that there will be a huge decrease in quality. Is there any way to retain the 25GB size file (and therefy retain the full quality of the original imovieHD project) for theater projection? QT files are acceptable by the projection staff.

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Answer 11

Mar 21, 2013 6:06 AM in response to bniblick

The h.264 file should be fine. I would bring that. However, if you want to try bringing a 25GB file, it is simple to do. Just test it in advance. You are unlikely to notice better quality, but if you do and if it works, no harm done.

Just export your movie using QuickTime, and choose the DV codec.

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