iMovie 08 - only one Sound-channel with Panasonic hdc-sd1

Thanks guy-your answer is the best so far. Stereo is what we as Apple junkies deserve, and expect. Come on Steve-get this right fast!!

Indeed it should be solved. If not I will return my cam to the shop.... I have 7 days left.

Anyone know if 7.0.1 solves this problem?

Look at http://www.mac1080hd.com Not only does it do a 5.1 to stereo conversion it allows editing in iMovie '08 on PowerPC Macs and editing on iMovie '06.

I have reset camcorder to default settings: same problem
I have also tested the SD1 on other Apple hardware. On MacBook; iMac 17" and latest 24" iMac all the same problem.

Only hardware issues I have not tested:
- original PAnasonic USB cable different from other USB cables? I presume not an issue
- PAL/ NTSC differences? Is this an issue with AVCHD camcorders? I presume not

I contacted Apple helpdesk with all this info on this thread.

They told me to take this serious and are investigating the problem.

Hope they will have a solution real soon!

Additional info: 100% due to iMovie 08

I have tested the files on the SD1 camcorder. These produce stereo via AV out.

Setup: SD1 is lacking a headphone out. So connected the AV out audio stereo cables to my Edirol AU-3d and Mac. With Amadeus Pro I can see to good functioning stereo channels.

So AV-out produces a clean stereo image from the 5.1. AVCHD file when played direct from cam.
in iMovie the 5.1 AVCHD file info is wrong converted to stereo as it seems.

Silvermine-TonyRush,

I believe that you have to format the SD card in the Panasonic Camcorder before the computer will recognize it as a camcorder. I can't verify this yet as I am picking mine up today, but it makes the most sense to be your issue.

Steve

Message was edited by: steviet_mac

Message was edited by: steviet_mac

As a producer of 5.1 music for tv & media, this camera was like the holy grail to me.... but as many of us are aware , apple only like 2 channel digital & a maximum pro logic encoded soundtrack over its proprietary system... if every other manufacturer can license dolby use .. why cant apple ? .. its been a royal pain in the *** for years... i mean its the same sound we had in 1984.
now with this audio import issue i will loose 5.1 audio from any imported clips which is the 1 main reason for getting this camera.

the very clever dudes at http://www.mac1080hd.com are indeed the only current potential way to capture your 5.1 audio for external app use & protect imovie 08 against this 5.1 to stereo.

imovie should give you the encoding option on your audio , i.e. select 2 channel stereo / pro logic / 6 channel discreet / dolby digital

Quicktime does fantastic multichannel stuff.. but soon as it hits the fiber outs , your down to pro logic again..

for the hard trying out there.. you can in-fact copy the raw file from your camera to another drive & play via VLC , using a break out box ( firewave or motu ultralite ) you can indeed hear all 5.1 channels working correctly. also inserting the sd card in to a ps3 connected to a 5.1 system will work perfectly too.

I have been asked to beta test the new version of http://www.mac1080hd.com & will be using my field recording tests at www.surroundedpodcast.com

Regards in Music
Love in iife

Marc Mitchell

I have converted the files generated by the SD1 to quicktime using the mac1080HD shareware.

http://www.mac1080hd.com/

This app DOES convert the 5.1 to correct stereo!

*So 100% sure it is wrong converted by iMovie 08!*

So how does it work exactly? The 1080 software program? I can just copy my files off my SD card and it takes care of the coversion?

Btw, what is the largest card anyone is running in their SD1 camera? I am using the 4gb that came with it but I want to move to a 16 gb if possible.

Today I received a response from the Apple Help who I contacted for this issue.

Quote:
"We are already aware of the issue and are hoping to resolve this in a future update of iMovie."

So let's hope it is fixed in 7.02

Same here...

The sound works fine when played from iMovie via a receiver designed to handle Dolby 5.1

G

The sound will be okay when played on a system with a 5.1 sound system. But there also are exceptions here!.

In general:
When a 5.1 audio stream is played on a stereo system; the right channel will be ok and the left will play the center. This is UNWANTED behaviour. iMovie should make a stereo downmix. Or it should give at least the option to do so when it receives a 5.1 audio stream. There is NO standard Mac in the world playing 5.1 sound by default.