help with Canon HG10 and FCE 4

Question

Level 1

8 points

help with Canon HG10 and FCE 4

I've read everything I can find, and everyone seems to say that FCE 4 should be able to import video from Canon HG10 using the Log and Transfer window. However, when I try this, nothing happens -- nothing shows up in the Log and Transfer window. Not the camcorder, not the files, nothing. I'm using an intel-based iMac. I've got the HG10 in video playback mode. I've got it hooked to the iMac via USB. Frustrated beyond belief. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

iMac 2 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, Mac OS X (10.5.2), 2.5 GB RAM

Posted on Apr 14, 2008 9:08 AM

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Answer 1

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

152,809 points

Apr 14, 2008 9:10 AM in response to bflo11

Check the camera manual on this, but I'm not sure it's supposed to be in playback mode. I'm assuming the camera mounts on the desktop and you've tried the Add Folder button in Log and Transfer.

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Answer 2

bflo11 Author

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8 points

Apr 14, 2008 9:20 AM in response to Tom Wolsky

Canon's manual for the HG10 is pretty poor in this area, suggesting only that I use the Corel Application Disc which is not for Mac users. Yes, the camera does mount on the desktop, and yes, I've tried the Add Folder button in Log and Transfer. Nothing shows up.

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Answer 3

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

152,809 points

Apr 14, 2008 9:31 AM in response to bflo11

What modes are there n the camera? Is there an index mode?

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Answer 4

bflo11 Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 14, 2008 9:58 AM in response to Tom Wolsky

The HG10's modes are: (1) record video, (2) play video, (3) record still images, (4) play still images. In the "play video" mode, an index of the video clips I've shot is shown on the LCD screen. Connect the camcorder to the Mac, and the screen then indicates that the camcorder is connected to a computer. I'm pretty sure this is the right mode for the camera to be in when transferring files to FCE. If only I could transfer those files! I tried putting them all into a "playlist" on the camcorder, but they still don't show up in FCE Log & Transfer window.

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Answer 5

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

152,809 points

Apr 14, 2008 10:10 AM in response to bflo11

Do you have any other devices connected to the computer besides the keyboard and mouse? If not I can't help and don't know why this doesn't work for you. You could try capturing in iMovie 08, which this camera has been tested with.

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Answer 6

bflo11 Author

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8 points

Apr 14, 2008 10:18 AM in response to Tom Wolsky

Only other devices connected to the computer are Apple's wireless mouse and keyboard, a LaCie external hard drive, and speakers. Thanks for trying to help, Tom -- I appreciate it. Perhaps someone else out there, who has the HG10 and FCE4 and is using them together successfully, will add to this discussion. For now, I'm dead in the water.

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Answer 7

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

152,809 points

Apr 14, 2008 10:40 AM in response to bflo11

Try it without the LaCie connected. Also make sure you're connecting to the computer itself and not to a port on the keyboard

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Answer 8

bflo11 Author

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8 points

Apr 14, 2008 1:42 PM in response to Tom Wolsky

Tried it with LaCie disconnected. No dice. Argh!

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Answer 9

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

152,809 points

Apr 14, 2008 1:46 PM in response to bflo11

Did you try iMovie 08?

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Answer 10

bflo11 Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 14, 2008 1:49 PM in response to Tom Wolsky

No, I don't have iMovie '08. I was a fan of iMovie HD, then Apple changed it (for the worse according to many users), so I decided to go with Final Cut Express instead -- especially after reading that FCE4 includes AVCHD compatibility. Guess I wasn't so smart after all.

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Answer 11

3danim8

Level 1

0 points

Apr 14, 2008 9:41 PM in response to bflo11

I have the same issue as you described. I'm new to Mac's and bought it because it is supposed to be easy to use. Yeah, right. I feel like I've already wasted about $2500 since it cannot do anything I want it to do, like create an HD movie. I can do this so easily on the PC platform with Sony Vegas - done in minutes. So far I have wasted countless hours reading, researching, and being completely frustrated with the supposedly wonderful Mac experience. I feel like I've made a big mistake. Even with our $10K super duper Mac at work equipped with Final Cut Pro and an experienced user, the Canon HG10 files cannot be recognized. For a company that promotes ease of use, Apple has a long way to go to convince me that they are on the leading edge. I hope there is someone out there that can tell me how to make a movie using footage from my Canon HG10!

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Answer 12

MikeK5117

Level 2

183 points

Apr 15, 2008 7:41 AM in response to bflo11

I use an HG10 and it works fine with both iMovie 08 and FCE 4. For FCE you connect the HG10 using a USB cable, make sure the HG10 is plugged into the AC adapter/charger (kind of a pain to need this) then turn the HG10 to play. Open Log and Transfer and the full contents of the HG10 drive should show up in the window and you can select them for download to whatever bin file you wish. Mine works like this without any hassles.

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Answer 13

metherid

Level 1

0 points

Apr 19, 2008 12:07 PM in response to MikeK5117

Can you explain the "log and transfer" - where is this? In which application? I have IMovie HD 6.0.3 and and IMac intel core duo. The software I downloaded with the HG 10 places ImageBrowser and CameraWindow icons on my desktop toolbar but when I click on either one a prompt says "no camera was found." I do see a CANON_HDD hardrive icon on the desktop with an AVCHD folder inside (and BDMV and CANON subfolders within this). Within the Canon subfolder I find another folder THUMB00 which has jpegs that represent each of the movie clips (thinbnails, I assume?) I have taken but they are only stills - no movies. I have even tried to convert these jpegs via MPEG Streamclip into DV format and still they are only stills. I have a USB port connection and the camera on play mode, also connected to external power source. Help!

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Answer 14

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

152,809 points

Apr 19, 2008 12:12 PM in response to metherid

The Log and Transfer window is in Final Cut Express. This is the FCE forum.

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Answer 15

BinFahad

Level 1

0 points

Apr 19, 2008 2:32 PM in response to bflo11

hi i am using HG10 with imovie it works but i have to wait for sometime for imovie
to recognise the camera which takes up to 10 min. sometimes i have to switch the
camera off or disconnect it several times to get it recognized.

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