How do I create MPEG-4 with iMovie?

[David S]

Hi all,

I have a Hi-Def camcorder which records 1280x720 resolution video in MPEG-4 format onto a SD card. I can drag the files from the card to my Mac and then edit the MPEG-4 clips using iMovie HD.

I can't figure out how to export the edited movie back into MPEG-4 format so I can drag the movie back to the SD card, put the card in the camcorder, and watch it on an HD TV.

Any ideas?

Thanks

[MEG]

Using iMovie HD:

File-> Export
Choose Quicktime tab & set Compress Movie For: Expert Settings. Click Share.
Then select Movie to MPEG-4 (set options as desired).

[David S]

Thanks

[deckeda]

There's an Export function. There are then tabs, one of which is "Quicktime" which will lead to a "Movie to MPEG-4" choice, with other options.

But there are several flavors of MPEG-4, and you might need to experiment before you find settings that the camcorder will play back. And even that assumes it doesn't depend upon some sort of "index" file needed to see the MPEG-4 files put onto the SD card from something other than the cam as an original recording.

Have you exhausted all other possibilities, such as burning the project to DVD or connecting the Mac straight to the TV?

DVDs wouldn't of course retain 1280x720, but there's more to picture quality than just pixel dimensions ...