iMovie Video Stabilization

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Level 1

8 points

iMovie Video Stabilization

Having Built in Video Stabilization is great. . . if you can actually use it. I'm on iMovie 10.1.3 and when I choose media clip, add it to my time line, only then can I apply Stabilization. I've seen some YouTub tutorials that show stabilization applied to the MEDIA selection itself. . . mine doesn't do that.

Once in my Timeline, I apply Stabilization. . . the DEFAULT SLIDER is set at 33% and can never be changed. This often results in very weird outcomes. First, when you CLICK THE CHECKBOX the rolling circle starts.. and stays on for minutes to hours. . . then, when the clip is finally stabilized (typical clip is 1080p and about 10 seconds long). . . it's often CROPPED very tightly. . . often resulting in a clip that's about 50% or less of the original video image. . . it's basically unusable.

The Cropping (33%) I believe is the EDGE BUFFER that can be jostled around to keep a steady image. . . but it will never allow me to change the slider. When you first check box the [ ] Stabilize Shaky Video the slider is GRAYED OUT and stays grayed out until the Clip is analyzed. . . once analyzed (and you see the results) then if you attempt to move it.. it won't move. If you click the wrong area, it loses it's hour's long work and you have to start all over.

Something tells me that this isn't how it's supposed to go. . .

Any suggestions?

MacBook Pro, iOS 10.1

Posted on Nov 7, 2016 12:06 PM

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Answer 1

GeeD

Level 6

9,189 points

Nov 8, 2016 7:33 PM in response to TheodoreRex

Unlike in earlier version, in imovie 10 you can only stabilize clips when they are in the timeline. This is in line with the philosophy that an event contains original unmodified media. You were probably looking at tutorials for earlier versions.

The more shake there is, the more the video clip has to be cropped - otherwise 'dancing' black borders will appear. If you find that an enormous amount of cropping is needed then the amount of shake is too large to be capable of stabilization.

Stabilization is very processor-intensive and depending on amount of shake, processor and memory availability can easily many times the duration of the clip to complete. A few minutes for a 10s 1080p clip is quite possible. Hours - no. Are you working with very little RAM or disc space available?

I'm not sure what the stabilization slider % means precisely, but the more the clip is stabilized the more it has to be cropped. I have just checked and I can change the % by moving the slider to the left after stabilizing, even when the clip is playing. You might try launching iMovie with the option and command keys depressed which allows you to trash preferences and reset the application (won't affect projects) since yours doesn't seem to be behaving correctly.

Geoff.

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Answer 2

TheodoreRex Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 8, 2016 7:34 PM in response to GeeD

GeeD,

I can't explain it. . . but the COMMAND & OPTION suggestion worked. The clips stabilize in about 1-2 minutes. . . and I can adjust the % bar now. . . DUDE! Thanks.

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