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Panasonic HDC-SD9 and iMovie 08 - summary of current issues

There are a few posts here, but I thought I'd summarise my experiences so far (I have a PAL model):

The camera is detected fine by iMovie 08 and everything was recorded at HA1920 (the highest quality).

1. 1080/25p with 5.1 sound - imports to iMovie but video plays back at the wrong speed
2. 1080i with 5.1 sound - import attempts crash iMovie
3. 1080/25p with 2.0 sound - imports to iMovie but video plays back at the wrong speed
4. 1080i with 2.0 sound - import attempts crash iMovie

I would have thought scenario 4 would be effectively the same as a HDC-SD5 (supported by iMovie 08) but clearly there are some issues here to iron out.

For now, I'm using Voltaic to convert to MOV files but lose the 5.1 sound (although I can workflow it back in again).

I'm still extremely pleased with the camera!

CD MacBook, 24" C2D iMac, CD Mac Mini, DP G4 Powermac, AppleTV, iPhone, Mac OS X (10.5.2)

Posted on Feb 25, 2008 2:42 AM

112 replies

Mar 17, 2008 12:59 PM in response to Michael Butler2

Ok, I tried changing over to 24p at the highest quality, and it works in imovie 08. But when I go into log and capture in Final Cut Pro, it does not recognize the camera. Any ideas? I am using FCP 5.1.4

Mar 17, 2008 1:41 PM in response to thearmoth

Does the video play back at the correct speed?

Mar 17, 2008 3:58 PM in response to Michael Butler2

It does not play back at the correct rate in imovie08. FCP doesn't recognize the camera at all.

Mar 17, 2008 5:03 PM in response to thearmoth

You must have FCP 6.0.2 and treat the camera as "unrecognizable device." It then imports fine.

JJSNC

Level 1

0 points

Mar 18, 2008 12:17 AM in response to Michael Butler2

Does Final Cut Express read the SD9 files?

tcynk00

Level 1

0 points

Mar 18, 2008 6:27 AM in response to JJSNC

No, it does not.

Mar 18, 2008 6:52 PM in response to Michael Butler2

Yeah, 24p is the only mode that FCP seems able to import, (imovie "can't parse the file") but when FCP 6.02 imports the file the audio plays at the right speed but the video is sped up like an old 8mm film! It's like there aren't enough frames to fit the audio and it's stretching the video to fit. It's annoying & wierd at the same time.

hoping someone is having better luck, if so please describe as many settings on your computer & video camera as possible.

hoping this message finds you well -LH

Mar 18, 2008 7:02 PM in response to 1984 Mac Guru

Is there any indication that Apple is monitoring this discussion? Any sign when they might give us a status. The camera is a gem, but I will need to return it if it remains incompatible with iMovie08.

Mar 19, 2008 2:42 PM in response to Michael Butler2

I ran the SD9 at 1080i with 5.1 sound, ran Voltaic at 720p without extracting 5.1. I imported into iMovie 08 at the large setting (940x540), and exported to iTunes/Apple TV. Nothing crashed, the audio stayed in sync with the video, but the video was clearly jerky.
If I played the camera directly into the TV, all was smooth.

Anything I'm clearly doing wrong in capturing and editing?

Robin

JJSNC

Level 1

0 points

Mar 19, 2008 3:16 PM in response to Michael Butler2

Output the Voltaic file to 1080i.

Mar 20, 2008 7:32 PM in response to JJSNC

Changing Voltaic to 1080i improved things marginally, but I still get jerky motion. It's as if time did not flow uniformly.

Just to check, I will record something moving while the camera is stationary on a tripod.

Robin

sgraham

Level 1

0 points

Mar 21, 2008 11:27 AM in response to Michael Butler2

I wish Apple would say something abut this. This is really hindering my video production. I check this post daily to see if any word other then use Voltaic has surfaced. PLEASE APPLE, at least say you know about it and are working on it.

geoban

Level 1

0 points

Mar 21, 2008 11:56 AM in response to sgraham

Same here - the Panasonic team thinks the issue is fixed by importing at the ha1920 method.

Please Apple, fix this.

Mar 21, 2008 12:36 PM in response to Michael Butler2

PLEEEASE leave apple feedback, b/c that is the way to get their support

http://www.apple.com/feedback/imovie.html

let's cross our fingers they support this model soon with iMovie 🙂

Message was edited by: BlueLightSpectrum

Mar 22, 2008 11:51 AM in response to BlueLightSpectrum

I just received bad news from Apple. Apple Support checked with their system engineers late yesterday, who confirmed that the SD9 is not compatible with iMovie 08, and they have no plans to make it compatible, that they are willing to state. The Apple representative all but suggested that I should return the SD9 to the seller, and either exchange it for another camera that is compatible, or wait until the SD9 is made compatible through a future iMovie version. But, no promises.

Panasonic HDC-SD9 and iMovie 08 - summary of current issues