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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

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112 replies

Mar 2, 2008 5:02 AM in response to Michael Butler2

I've cross posted this to simplydv forums as well. If anyone is using a production release SD9 successfully with iMovie '08 - please post!

Just so you can see what I'm seeing, I put together a SnapZ Pro MP4 screen capture of the issues using my Macbook. You can see:

1. The camera's SD card mounting (I'm using the camera itself this time - but the same happens with a card reader)
2. iMovie starting
3. Me selecting a 1080i clip and clicking import
4. iMovie crashing
5. Restarting iMovie
6. Selecting a 1080p clips and clicking import
7. The import starts but I cancel as I have one 'I prepared earlier'
8. Playing back the 1080p clip - you can clearly see that the video has been sped up (it's unnatural)

The video is around 12MB:

http://web.mac.com/michaelhbutler/videos/sd9-2.mp4

I've also tried this on my Intel iMac - exactly the same problem.

Mar 6, 2008 6:58 AM in response to Michael Butler2

Just got the SD9 here too and was a bit disappointed that it wasn't supported out of the box, but that's what you get for being cutting edge. I sure hope Apple comes out with a fix for this soon. As a side note, how are people importing the media? Direct hook-up from the camera or a sdhc card reader? Any suggestions for card readers? (since I think that would be the easier solution, instead of hooking up the camera to the AC adapter etc).

All in all, I'm very pleased with its performance, size, and features for the price. I debated about getting this vs the Sony vs Canon and I'm glad I made this choice (particularly given the price difference).

Mar 10, 2008 9:56 AM in response to thearmoth

I agree tt Apple and Panasonic must get it together. I can't understand why Panasonic doesn't care abt Mac users – the kind of people who will spend the kind of money Panasonic High-Def cameras cost. But guys, remember tt until they do, the Canon HG10 is a great camera. Not as compact as Panasonic's SD9, but when something works, tt's what counts!

Mar 11, 2008 6:20 AM in response to late08jane

Panasonic apparently doesn't care about anyone. SD9 crashes also leading AVCHD editor on Windows side - Sony Vegas, which means that currently it is not compatible with any video editing software. I am seriously thinking about returning the camera because editing is for me absolutly critical.
Can anyone suggest a compact HD camcorder which is fully compatible with Apple software (iMovie and FCE)?

Mar 13, 2008 8:35 AM in response to Michael Butler2

I saw elsewhere on another forum site that turning off the pre-rec feature on the SD9 can allow video import...I tried this myself and nothing worked, so I'm not sure if there are any others out there with a fix. I'd rather avoid paying the $30 for Voltaic if a iMovie update is nearby, but I may just have to bite the bullet. Also, I hope to keep this thread alive so Apple notices that this is an issue.

Mar 14, 2008 9:53 AM in response to Michael Butler2

Yeah, so I am checking this thread daily (if not multiple times per day) to see what is happening. I, of course, have the same issue as everyone else. I can import with 24p mode but the video is dorked up. So far I have just made an "HD Movies" folder on the iMac and copied the entire file structure to that folder. The one nice thing is that I am able to connect the camera to my PS3 using the "PC Connect" mode (gotta love the whole PC thing) and the PS3 plays the videos perfectly...with full 5.1. I have also burned the .mts files to DVD and I am able to watch them in 5.1 on the PS3.

Oh well, that is my consolation prize at this point.

good luck to all, and I'll keep checking up on this link obsessively...

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

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