How get same quality when exporting Iphone .mov-video?

Report · Dec 05, 2021

Hello,

I record my videos with an ordinary iphone with FullHD (1920x1080, 60fps, .mov-file). After cutting I have those problems with exporting the final file: My 2021-version of Premiere Elements cannot export in .mov. At least I didnt' find a way (even in custom-advanced settings). So I export in "MP4 - H.264".

My problem:

No matter which settings I try - middle oder high quality, 1920x1080, 1440x1080 or 1280x720, custom advanced settings compare with source... - EVERY video-result has a noticeable worse quality than the original Iphone .mov-file. So: Is this a thing I have to live with, or can I get better results with other settings? Thanks for your helping!

Andy

Report · Dec 05, 2021

The output from a 1080p60 source to a 1080p60 final video will have equal visual quality. In fact, it makes no sense that you are not getting good visual quality. To resolve this, will take stages. Phone settings, project settings and output settings need to be reviewed.

A place to start is the phone settings and then how you are comparing the input and output files. It willl also help to know more about your computer and version of Premiere Elements.

Report · Dec 05, 2021

Iphone 8, camera setting: 1080p (60fps)

Computer: Imac 2021, 24" 4480x2520 display, MacOS big sur 11.6

Adobe Premiere Elements Version 2021, 19.0

Project settings? I import the iphone .mov-file with "Add media" and pull the file into the Video/Audio1-line. The I cut it.

Then export settings: "Computer" - "HD1080 1920x1080" "MP4 - H.264" - "Quality middle" - Save.

When I open both - the original file as well as the file I exported from Premiere Elements - the original .mov file is a) bigger and b) sharper. See attached files.

Export-settings seem to fit to iphone-settings. The only thing I can't see at the export-settings is the fps-rate.

Thanks for helping as I am a beginner.

Regards

Report · Dec 05, 2021

Your workflow appears correct.

When I look at your attached JPEG, I see a difference in size, but the entire frame is included. Using a magnifier, the detail in the shoe laces, buttons, hair, etc. appear matched. What are you using for a viewing method and display? I'm confused why you say the output is bad when your workflow seems correct.

The frame rate is displayed on the default output screen. Look in the fine print on the right.

As an alternate output try, Export and Share > Devices > Custom > Advanced Settings. Look for and click the Match Source button. Then press OK to start the output. You should get a matched frame rate. In the same Advanced Settings screen there are choices at the top under Format for outputs. Since you are in the Apple world, you might try Quicktime.

Report · Dec 05, 2021

I do use Quicktime when opening files.

Comparing both pictures, for me there is difference in sharpness (shoes, jacket details etc.).

I already did try "Advanced settings - match source". But oddly enough, "match source" creates 1280x720 (!), although the original file is 1920x1080! I checked this out many times (e.g. right clicking on video in video1-line). Also my iphone-settings are 1920x1080. So "match source" strangely results in an even smaller 1280x720-file with even worse quality. Probabely I muddled up and saved some settings in the "Advanced settings-window"??

To get better quality I also tried "high quality" at the standard settings, but the result was even a bit worse than "middle quality".

As you asked for my "project settings" - are there different ways/settings of adding a file to Premiere Elements? Probabely the mistake is already made in my first step??

Report · Dec 05, 2021

It is frustrating trying to help because I can's see what you are seeing.

Can you use DropBox or other file transfer program and send me a short original clip and the output of that original? Maybe I will learn something I can't "see".

If you are starting with 1080p and ending up with 1280x720, something is going wrong in your workflow.

With a fresh project, putting the first clip on the timeline should put the project setting to match. Would you do that and than look at Edit > Project Settings > General and tell me what the numbers are?

Report · Dec 06, 2021

You will never get good output on footage from an old iphone especially with fast motion.

Report · Dec 08, 2021

The quality should not drop in what you are doing. One reason could be the issue with the Project settings that you selected.

Ensure that the project properties is same as that of the clip. If you drop the clip (just one clip) on timeline, the project settings automatically matches that of first clip dropped. You can check the project settings by clicking on the gear icon (at top right corner)

I hope you not editing the clip.

The export quality depends mainly on the framesize & export Bitrate.

For medium quality of the preset you selects, the bitrate is 15Mbps & for High quality its 40Mbps. You can further increase it in the Custom Advanced settings to see if its better.

If you can share a clip, I can check the issue from my end