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

On it's own Perian 1.1 is a great app which provides additional video support for QT. I've also heard that it has resolved SD9 AVCHD issues in iMovie08 and FCP, so I personally would give it a go and see if it helps all of you SD9 users. You've got nothing to lose, plus it will enable you to watch virtually any video format through QT - priceless.

Well, I had extra high hopes when the FCP 6.0.3 update came a couple of days ago, but no change for the SD9!

Still imports 24p w/o a problem, but no can do on the two other settings that cannot use 24p.

iMovie: no change. Imports 24p only as well, albeit with speed issue.

;-(

It did not work, iMovie is still crashing.

I was able to import 24p video in Final Cut Express tonight with audio and video synced perfectly. I tried the same video in iMovie and the video portion ended before the audio, so there is still an issue there. I had hoped not to record in 24p mode. I don't get what it is all about...what does it do better than the 60i standard mode?

-John

Hi John,

could you tell me something more about the FCE-version you have? Any special codecs? I’m desperate, trying to make it work with Final Cut Express 4 but it won’t...
pleeeease help!!

thanx, ben

For me it kind of works too.

I have the latest leopard, latest fce4 and latest Perian (1.1).
To import, I have to go in the menues, wait 10 to 20 seconds until it recognises my SD card or the camcorder, and then import.

But I can't get FCE4 to run a video without "rendering it", which takes some time. And the procedure has to be done again and again for every single change.
So I decided to import these imported clips in imovie 08, and it works flawlessly! I just click import in imovie. It just takes some time to create the thumbnails previews.
Then, the edition is very fast.
However, to export the video in full hd h264, I'll need to be VERY patient. I exported a 3 minutes video at 17mb/s, and it took 45 minutes!!

But it's still unacceptable to have to use FCE to import into imovie, and the format has to 1080p (24).


You'll also need a lot of disk space to import the clips (cause they're uncompressed).

thanks foudordi,

but how is this possible? You two get it running without speeding the picture up and we (the rest of the world) with the exact same programms can’t get it to work??! I hope someone, who is technically fit can give me an explanation... thanx in advance.

Just another frustrated new owner of a SD9. Could someone take a moment and publish their proven work arounds in a step-by-step fashion? I'm new to Apple and a lite video user so I assumed all I would need is iMovie 08. I'm not even sure what FCP and FCE are. Also, what is the $30 program some were mentioning early in the thread that seems to import the video. Is there any degredation of quality to use it?

Thanks from a newb.

Has anyone reported this issue into Apple's Developer Bug Reporter system?

If so, can you send me the bug number for tracking purposes?

Thanks.

Thanks to everyone for the helpful info on this thread. I too bought the SD9 in the belief that it would work 'straight out of the box' with FCE. Of course it didn't. I am now importing clips via Voltaic as helpfully suggested above and it is working fine so many thanks for the simple and clear instructions.

I am left with two questions that I can't find answers to and would be grateful for advice:

1 Having converted the clips with voltaic from mts to mov is there any loss of info or quality or is it the same data in a different format?

2 Is there any way I can use my SD9 as an input device to imovie or fce i.e. as an alternative camera to the built in isight ?

many thanks in advance for the advice.

Andy


PS Is there any evidence of Apple responding to mass campaigns of complaint ?They really should be supporting the SD9!!

Thanks very much Michael

Andy

Ok, I've read through this entire post after deciding today I want the SD9 over the Sony CX6EK as I was told the picture quality is better with the SD9. Also, its smaller which is great.

Only prob is - this **** imovie issue!!!!! unbelievable - come on Apple!

BTW, I wasn't sure if the CX6EK would have worked either.

will need to decide soon, its my daughters 1st birthday in 2 weeks!!