iMovie Still Frame Export Test

iMovie Still Frame Export Test - NTSC and PAL

iMovie gives you the option to save the current frame as a still image:

File> Save Frame As - then select - Format as jpeg or pict

There is a "bug" in the jpeg Save Frame As export that affects both NTSC and PAL movies.

Original image created in Photoshop. 640x480 pixels. Original image created in Photoshop. 768x576 pixels

NTSC iMovie Save Frame As: jpeg PAL iMovie Save Frame As: jpeg

NTSC iMovie Save Frame As: pict PAL iMovie Save Frame As: pict

For DV Stream video, NTSC uses 720x480 "thin" pixels (640x480 is the square pixel equivalent). PAL uses 720x576 "fat" pixels (768x576 is the square pixel equivalent).

The JPEG Save File As operation saves a 640x480 piece of the rectangular pixel (720x480) NTSC video frame so grabs will look stretched horizontally compared to the original while it saves a 640x480 piece of the rectangular pixel (720x576) PAL video frame so grabs will look stretched vertically compared to the original.

In any event, with EITHER system, use the PICT option to preserve proper image look.

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iMovie gives you the option to save the current frame as a still image: File> Save Frame As - then select - Format as jpeg or pict There is a "bug" in the jpeg Save Frame As export that affects both NTSC and PAL movies.


Original image created in Photoshop. 640x480 pixels.		Original image created in Photoshop. 768x576 pixels


NTSC iMovie Save Frame As: jpeg		PAL iMovie Save Frame As: jpeg


NTSC iMovie Save Frame As: pict		PAL iMovie Save Frame As: pict


For DV Stream video, NTSC uses 720x480 "thin" pixels (640x480 is the square pixel equivalent). PAL uses 720x576 "fat" pixels (768x576 is the square pixel equivalent). The JPEG Save File As operation saves a 640x480 piece of the rectangular pixel (720x480) NTSC video frame so grabs will look stretched horizontally compared to the original while it saves a 640x480 piece of the rectangular pixel (720x576) PAL video frame so grabs will look stretched vertically compared to the original. In any event, with EITHER system, use the PICT option to preserve proper image look.