Timeline frame rate and exposure correction capabilities of the latest iMovie

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cy2006 Author

Level 1

5 points

Timeline frame rate and exposure correction capabilities of the latest iMovie

My background. I have been trying to create movies made from clips that can be played back at 60 fps. I have been using a Nikon V1 camera for creating video clips. It records 1080 HD movies that are interlaced, but at 59.94 fps (Double NTSC) rather than the 60i standard of 29.98 fps (Standard NTSC). It also records 720p60 footage as well. I would like to maintain the temporal resolution of footage (the "video look") I get with the camera as well as perform good exposure and color correction on dark/underexposed footage. I currently use iMovie '09 and Final Cut Express 4. My current computer runs on Snow Leopard, but I cannot update to Mavericks or Yosemite that the latest versions of iMovie or Final Cut Pro require. I intend to upgrade my computer in the next few months, but what I get will depend on what video editing software I figure I will need. Hard tech specs regarding this version of iMovie, however, are hard to come by. I am hoping someone with experience using the latest version of iMovie can help answer a couple of questions.

Regarding timeline frame rate - right now both iMovie '09 and FCE 4 destroy the "video look" I want by forcing the frame rate to go down to 30 fps in the timeline. Does the current version of iMovie support a true 60 fps in the timeline? Playing with the software and provided skateboarding footage at a local Apple Store indicates it does. And does it handle interlaced footage? Also, can it handle 24 fps footage (which another camera of mine records at) actually at 24 fps?

With regards to exposure and color correction, I find iMovie '09's capabilities lacklustre. If a clip needs better correction than iMovie can deliver, I import the clip into FCE 4 and either use the "Color Corrector" filter along with highlight and midtone exposure sliders to improve the exposure, or Gamma correction along with some hue adjustments. Can iMovie adjust midtones, highlights, and shadows separately, or do Gamma correction, or does it just do basic exposure and contrast correction?

Would I be better off considering using Final Cut Pro X instead of iMovie.

iMac (20-inch Late 2006), Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Jan 17, 2015 1:12 PM

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Answer 1

Jan 17, 2015 10:18 PM in response to cy2006

cy2006 wrote:

… Would I be better off considering using Final Cut Pro X instead of iMovie.

You would.

iMovie is a consumer tool, meant for 'convenience'

(I dare to say; 99% of iM-users don't know what 'gamma' is…) 😉

But you have to update, hard- and software/OS.

Your actual set-up doesn't support FCPX, nor would you be able to purchase it.

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Answer 2

Jan 17, 2015 10:24 PM in response to cy2006

Do you have use of an IPad2or above?

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Answer 3

cy2006 Author

Level 1

5 points

Jan 18, 2015 1:50 PM in response to Karsten Schlüter

Karsten, thank you for taking the time to respond.

I will be purchasing a new computer with new OS, or perhaps a refurb with a later OS version. I would be happy to get a 21.5" iMac for my work - but my wife insists on getting laptops, so that they can be easily stored away, out of sight. I have to choose between 13" and 15" laptops. iMovie seems to run okay on the 13" models. If I used Final Cut Pro X, it appears I will be better off with a 15" model. My demands are not huge, but I do want or need features that are typically only in more-advanced software. For example, I never use iPhoto because it just doesn't have the image editing and adjustment tools I need. Aperture, on the other hand, meets my needs perfectly. "Pro" software often suits me better than related consumer software.

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Answer 4

Jan 18, 2015 9:23 PM in response to cy2006

cy2006 wrote:

… I would be happy to get a 21.5" iMac for my work - but my wife insists on getting laptops, so that they can be easily stored away, out of sight. …

a few comments on that … 😉 :

• I made the switch from using iMovie for about 10y to the BigBoysToy when FCPX appeared - never want back! Although just an (enthusiastic) hobbyist, it 'beams' your projects into new spheres ... fun is: the better YOU get, the more it offers... you can use FCPX as a 'iMovie-on-steroids', or as a Hollywood-tool ... up to you.

• screen-estate … I'm actually 'scanning' the market for 21:9 and 4k monitors .. (don't tell the Secretary of Finance in my household); 15" would be way too small for my ol' eyes ... Aperture/Photo editing on 15"? ... hmmmmm....

• Whatever Mac - FCPX demands additional platters … a mobile set-up? Why not, but add at last 2 additional HDDs (luckily: tiny 'powerless' 2.5"/usb3 HDDs are meanwhile fast enough for average needs) to your travel-luggage …

• Working-space … I'm privileged to have a working-desk in my household; although 21st cent, I need tons of paper for my editing work (hu?? Yes, scribbling notes, time codes, 'settings' of color-values, coordinates, names of subjects, …), the camera(s), headphones, SDcards, my obligatory cup of coffee, ext. audio-recorder, a mic, a magazine with latest tricks 'n hints to accomplish dit&dat, ..... the idea of the mobile-working space is 'romantic', esp. for any editing work … in my reality! 😀

• in the past, I had a charming furniture, an 'office on wheels', you opened a latch: my monitor, Mac, keyboard, stuff. With some DIY, it had ext. connectors for power line and ethernet (wireless was too lame those days) ... the whole thingie was parked in some corner, and when Daddy did movies, I rolled it to some charming place near the window, and I was ready to go!.....

.... what was the question??? I sound like Martha Stewart!! LOL! 😝

Enjoy your new Mac and Welcome to FCPX ... this way please >>

Final Cut Pro X

Happy Movie Making!

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