iMovie 4k export options keep disappearing

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iMovie 4k export options keep disappearing

Hello!

I have this strange problem; my iMovie 4k export options keep disappearing. When I import 4k files into library and project they show up as 4k files and I’m able to export them as 4k but after a couple of days I’m only able to export them as 1080p and even re-importing the original files won’t help. I was able to export first project with 4k settings but the second project only shows up 1080. All the new videos imported videos show only 1080p no matter what format they were recorded (even iPhone’s 4k files show only 1080 at iMovie).

Starting new library temporary helps but the same thing keeps happening again and it is a pain if you did some serious editing.

Anyone else has this problem or fix to problem?

Message was edited by: henkkapple

macOS High Sierra (10.13.5), null

Posted on Jun 23, 2018 1:40 AM

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Answer 1

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Rich839

Level 8

48,156 points

Jun 23, 2018 12:09 PM in response to henkkapple

I've not seen your specific problem reported.

iMovie supports 4k 30p. Possibly a corrupt preference is causing the issue. Try opening iMovie while holding down the Option and Command keys, and selecting to delete preferences in the box that appears. Sometimes that cures glitches.

Also, be sure that the first clip that you place into a new project is a 4k clip. That will set the resolution and frame rate.

-- Rich

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Answer 2

Rich839

Level 8

48,156 points

Jun 25, 2018 10:33 AM in response to henkkapple

The original movie project is not functioning correctly (project related issues happen sometimes), and in that case copying the project media from the timeline into a new project often will solve it.

-- Rich

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Answer 3

henkkapple Author

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Jun 23, 2018 1:34 PM in response to henkkapple

I managed to get the project out with 4k setting. Here's what I did.

1) I created new library and closed it

2) I opened the library and chose to open also the old library where the project was.

3) I opened the project and hit Cmd+A and Cmd+C

4) Then I created new movie project in new library and hit Cmd+V

Now the 4k option is again available. When opening the original project it still offers only 1080p.

I know there is something wrong with iMovie but this solved my problem for now since I don't regularly shoot 4k.

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Answer 4

Rich839

Level 8

48,156 points

Jun 23, 2018 8:03 PM in response to henkkapple

So, you now know that when you copy the media from your project on the original library, and past it into a new project in a new library, it works. We don't know whether it was the new library or the new project that made the difference. To find out:

See what happens when you Edit/Copy, Edit/Select All and then Edit/Paste the media into a new project in the same original library. If it works there then you know that the library is O.K. and likely it is a project-related issue. If it doesn't work there, that would point to a library issue since you know that the same project works in a new library.

-- Rich

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Answer 5

henkkapple Author

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Jun 23, 2018 12:13 PM in response to Rich839

I reseted preferences but it didn't solve the problem. No matter what video I put into project it only shows up as 1080p, even the one that were in first project. I really don't want to start over with new project library.

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Answer 6

henkkapple Author

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Jun 23, 2018 1:06 PM in response to Rich839

I've reinstalled whole computer once (not for this reason) but the same problem was already present. I've imported 4k video from iPhone Se, but still the same problem. Only starting new library helps but it's way too frustrating.

My project folder is on external drive so that might be a problem, but there's no way I'm going to import all video files to internal drive.

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Answer 7

henkkapple Author

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Jun 23, 2018 9:56 PM in response to Rich839

It seems to work also that way. Now I'm also able to create new project and it recognizes same videos as 4k even though earlier it didn't. Still the original movie project shows only 1080p. This is strange.

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Answer 8

Rich839

Level 8

48,156 points

Jun 23, 2018 12:20 PM in response to henkkapple

Try reinstalling iMovie. Drag your old iMovie icon from the Applications folder to the trash, but don't empty the trash yet. Then go to the App store and do a reinstall of iMovie. After successfully reinstalling, you can empty the trash.

Also, try making a 4k 30p vid on your iPhone 6s or later and importing that as the first clip of a new project. See if that exports at 4k.

-- Rich

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iMovie 4k export options keep disappearing

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