[scubaski]

I have a few large movie files which take up too much space. In order to save some disk space I would like to trim these mpeg4 files down and dump the unwanted bits. From what I understand I cannot do this in iMovie as the programmme is designed to always save the whole project (incl the deleted/unwanted bits).

Is there any editing software. preferably free, which will allow me to do this basic editing task and permanently delete unwanted stuff?

Thanks.

[rasmits]

You can edit the movie in iMovie, export the edited project, then delete the project file. That's what I usually do.

[scubaski]

rasmits, thanks.

[scubaski]

one more question....iMovie imports the mpeg4 file in DV-NTSC format (which takes a long time and takes a lot of HD space), is there a way of working with mpeg4? iMovie does not seem to give me options for importing formats.

Using the (default)NTSC import format and then exporting mpeg4 I noticed a significant deterioration in the picture?

[rasmits]

That question I'm afraid I can't answer. I was sure you could change import settings, but if you looked and couldn't find any, than apparently not.

I'm a little confused - did you already import / export and notice a deterioration of picture or are you asking if you will?

[scubaski]

I have already done a demo of a small 21MB mpeg4 file which took over 20min to import. The export took only a few minutes (not surprising as I ended up with a 4.4MB file) but the quality is pretty bad. However calculating/comparing file size relative to running time I see that the edited movie has fewer MB/min (about 25% less) and therefore has a much worse picture.

[scubaski]

Actually, there is an option about importing formats which I overlooked....it is shown in rather small print :-)