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reilee1234
User level: Level 1 (4 points)

Uploading iMovie to Youtube

I exported a 22 min video out of iMovie with export settings of 1080p and High Resolution. The video file is a 3.22 gb. I am trying to upload the file to Youtube but it is taking a very very long time. How can I resolve this and get it uploaded? Should I export out of iMovie with different settings? Can I compress the file in order to be able to upload it to youtube? Thank you for your help!

Posted on Jan 2, 2020 2:06 PM

6 replies

Rich839
User level: Level 8 (48,892 points)

Jan 2, 2020 5:34 PM in response to Rich839

Actually, you might consider aborting the present upload effort. Instead, export your movie to your desktop and then sign in to You Tube and drag your video into You Tube's upload window.


You Tube's online uploader has not been working well since Apple's recent upgrades. The most reliable way is to drag the movie in to You Tube as described in my previous post.


-- Rich

Rich839
User level: Level 8 (48,892 points)

Jan 3, 2020 11:16 AM in response to reilee1234

As I recall, You Tube's file duration (running time) limitation is 15 minutes. Your video is 22 minutes, so it exceeds the limitation. I don't think that the actual GB size matters as much as the duration and, in any event, 3.22 GB is not that much. You Tube has a procedure for verifying your account so that you can use longer duration times. Check the You Tube help feature on its website.


You can always make the GB size of a file smaller by exporting at a lower resolution, lower quality and faster compression. However, there will be a reduction in quality and it won't affect the duration anyway.


When you "quit the process" what exactly happened? In other words, what steps did you take to upload and what happened when you tried? Did the upload start? Did you get an error message?


-- Rich



Rich839
User level: Level 8 (48,892 points)

Jan 2, 2020 3:53 PM in response to reilee1234

What do you mean by "a very, very, long time"? Uploads to You Tube do take a long time.


Also, you may be trying to upload when there is a lot of internet traffic. Or maybe your internet service or router is slow.


-- Rich

Rich839
User level: Level 8 (48,892 points)

Jan 2, 2020 5:30 PM in response to reilee1234

Nine hours is excessive for only 11% of a 22 minute video. Other than the possibilities that I mentioned in my earlier post I don't know why it is taking so long.


Only thing I can suggest is to let it keep loading overnight and see what you have in the morning.


-- Rich

reilee1234 Author
User level: Level 1 (4 points)

Jan 2, 2020 8:18 PM in response to Rich839

I did export as a file and then I’ve been trying to upload to YouTube. I quit the process. I feel the file size may be too large? Is there any different export settings I can do out of iMovie to make the video file smaller?

reilee1234 Author
User level: Level 1 (4 points)

Jan 2, 2020 4:31 PM in response to reilee1234

It’s been trying to upload for 9 hours and it’s at 11%. Is that normal? Will it keep uploading if the MacBook goes to sleep mode? I appreciate your help Rich.

Originally posted at discussions.apple.com/thread/251003091