iMovie '11 Audio & Video Out of Sync

It is difficult to make a long movie with the FaceTime camera that will stay in sync. The FaceTime camera is optimized for webcam use, so it tries to save on bandwidth by using variable frame rates. If not much movement is happening, it will slow the framerate to save bandwidth. If there is a lot of movement, it will speed up the frame rate. This makes it great for FacetTime calls to mobile phones, but not so great for syncing audio and video in a movie. In a phone call, you don't care if the audio is a bit off.

For making a movie, I suggest a camcorder that shoots a constant framerate, like 30 fps or 25 fps (depending on your country). The sound from the internal camera microphone might be sufficient, but if you need higher quality audio, get something like a Zoom H2N for recording the audio, and set it to record at 48,000 Hz, which is the same sampling rate that the camcorder uses.

I shot a video with my flip and the audio with the Zoom H2N and was able to sync it in imovie. However, the audio doesn't seem to be locked to the video nor can I edit both at the same time. Am I missing something in Imovie 11?

@Jerry Kaplan

The ability to sync and edit video with audio tracks simultaneously is a feature of Final Cut Pro X. You can automatically sync audio with your video clips, and you can edit.

iMovie does not have this feature, but if you do not otherwise need FCPX, there is a workaround. First import both your video clip and your audio clip into a project. Sync them up manually. Then mute the audio from the camera so that only the H2N audio is used. Then SHARE/EXPORT USING QUICKTIME. Choose Movie to QuickTime Movie. Under Options, choose Apple Intermediate Codec for the Video Compression. Save this to a location where you can find it.

Now, import this new clip into iMovie using FILE/IMPORT MOVIE. Now you can edit the audio and video together.

Thanks AppleMan1958 for the info. I will give it a try.

I would much rather keep things simple and not have to spend the money and time to learn Final Cut Pro X. It just seems silly for Apple to not include such a simple feature in iMovie 11 and force us to do these workarounds.

I am trying to make some instructional videos for my wife and I am finding I need to purchase more and more items. First a better camcorder to replace the flip with it's limited zoom and poor light ability. So I decided to get the new Canon HF R 400. Then of course a better mike so I got the Zoom H2N. So the room is a little dark so now the CN 160 led lights. Wait now I need an adapter because the Canon doesn't have a shoe to attach the lights. Oh now it seems recording HD footage means it needs to be transcoded into files that are 6 to 10 times larger so now I need a large external drive. So I guess a workarround in imovie is better than purchasing FCPX.

The good part is that there are people such as yourself on these forums to help us newbies as we blunder along.

Jerry

I am very unexperienced moviemaker....taking my first steps. I have made a film in imovie 11, 9.0.8, just 5 minutes with the camera in the MacBookPro, and the sound is off, out of sync.

Can you explain very simple steps how I do correct this.....

I understand that you found out how to correct is but I dont understand the steps.....

I am very grateful, thanks.

Matilda

Thanks

Here I found my solution:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XR1NLmBTs-o

And also in newest imovie you can pull the sound and edit it.

Easy when you know it.

Matilda

I found this solution:

Go to "Share"

choose "Export using Quicktime"

Upload Quicktime file to YouTube.

No problems...

Jay

Other solution:

1. Open the video with Quicktime

2. File » Export to » iMovie (click on 'share' button)

3. Import: iMovie - File » Import » Movies, choose the converted movie from Movies/iMovies Events/iMovie Dorp Box folder

4. You can edit it.

Resolved my problem. Thanks Appleman. I just started to learn final cut pro. I wanted to used of 1 the transitions so I imported the video into FCP, and quickly shared it out to my desktop. Then I imported it into iMovie and when I got thru and shared the video out -it was out of sync. So I did what you said. I re-shared the video from iMovie

1. Choose Movie to QuickTime Movie. Under Options,

2. Choose Apple Intermediate Codec for the Video Compression. (Save this to a location where you can find it).

3. Now, import this new clip into iMovie using FILE/IMPORT MOVIE.

Jackpot!!! movie is syncing and perfect.. to think I read it wasn't any hope except to buy more expensive software. Thanks again -appleman..