Panasonic HDC-SD5.

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Panasonic HDC-SD5.

Hi peoples,

I have searched the discussions and found related topics but nothing definitive.

I have just bought a Panasonic HDC-SD5 from Amazon as it is in the tested list on the imovie '08 support page.

Here is my problem: If I open iMovie and click on the connect to camera it says no camera connected.

Also if I don't go via that option and go through the finder they are greyed out as if it does not know what type of file it is.

I could use my frankly rubbish Vista laptop but I don't want to, and I would have bought the HDC-SD9 if I was going to do that.

I am a little annoyed because its on the tested list.

I am upto date software wise.

Thanks.

mac mini 2ghz core 2 duo., Mac OS X (10.5.2)

Posted on May 24, 2008 1:49 PM

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Answer 1

May 24, 2008 2:41 PM in response to h4rdy

are you connected with USB? Are you using AC power, not batteries? Do you have camera set to playback?

As an alternative, you can put your SD card in a USB card reader.

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Answer 2

h4rdy Author

Level 1

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May 24, 2008 3:25 PM in response to AppleMan1958

I am connected with USB, it wont let you select pc connect without ac power so yes and yes to playback. I have ordered a SD card reader so will try but I think it is more a problem that OS X does not seem to recognise the file format as like I said its all greyed out with a little green at the top.

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Answer 3

May 24, 2008 3:36 PM in response to h4rdy

Do you have iMovie open? It will not open automatically.

Did you record in 1920x1080? This is what I usually use, so if you use something else, my experience may not apply. Are you using the pre-record feature?

I see you have a Mac Mini. Does it have a single core or dual cores?

Message was edited by: AppleMan1958

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Answer 4

May 24, 2008 3:40 PM in response to h4rdy

..also, depending on the speed of your processor, it may take some time for iMovie to recognize the camera and generate the thumbnails for import. I recommend that you connect it with USB, AC Power. Start iMovie, then switch to PC/Playback mode.

Then let it sit there for 15 minutes and see what happens.

If it works correctly, an import screen will come up. You should not have to use the FInder or File/Import at all.

Message was edited by: AppleMan1958

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Answer 5

h4rdy Author

Level 1

1 points

May 25, 2008 12:58 AM in response to AppleMan1958

Recorded in 1920x1080 yes and yes its a 2ghz core 2 duo. I will try what you said tonight and see how I get on. I have a PC Laptop so all is not lost! Also if I was to use Windows on bootcamp will it work good or will I be getting the same results as on OS X.

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Answer 6

May 25, 2008 5:58 AM in response to h4rdy

From those specs, your Mac Mini should definitely work.

My only other idea is to make sure you are in sync between the camera and iMovie. Are both set on PAL? or are both set on NTSC?

One other idea. Open iPhoto before connecting the camera. See if it tries to import into iPhoto, and then shut iPhoto down. Then continue with iMovie.

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Answer 7

h4rdy Author

Level 1

1 points

May 25, 2008 7:00 AM in response to AppleMan1958

I will check the PAL/NTSC setting tonight also. iPhoto does open and I imported the photos that I took with the camera function of the camcorder. It did not try to import the movie.

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Answer 8

h4rdy Author

Level 1

1 points

May 25, 2008 2:36 PM in response to h4rdy

Thanks AppleMan. I finally got it to import. I left iMovie open for some time without camera connected while I was messing around. Then I connected the camera turned it on and up popped the import box. I decided to try again to make sure it wasnt a fluke but frustratingly no cigar!!! So I then connected and turned on the camera with iMovie open and left for a couple of minutes and then clicked on the connect to camera button and it worked and I imported!!! A bit flaky isnt it do you have the same problems? How will an SD card reader work does iMovie think it is connected to a camera? Thanks

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Answer 9

May 25, 2008 2:39 PM in response to h4rdy

Yay!

The SD card reader works just like the camera.

You might also find it useful to create disk images of your card so you will have a backup and can empty your card for the next shoot. If you do a search on disk images under my screenname you can probably find some detailed instructions.

Message was edited by: AppleMan1958

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Answer 10

h4rdy Author

Level 1

1 points

May 26, 2008 1:22 AM in response to AppleMan1958

Thanks again appleman. I will do the disk image next time. Was only really playing this time.

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Answer 11

Jun 8, 2008 3:55 PM in response to AppleMan1958

Good evening AppleMan
Was reading your advice on the importing from the SD card. Very interesting and good advice.
I recently came back from a trip to Thiland. With my Panasonic (format AVCHD) I filled up 2 8G SD cards. One card is a Panasonic (cost a fortune), the other SanDisc. I was able to import to iMovie all the clips from the SanDisc no problem. From the Panasonic SD iMovie keeps hanging, even after waiting for a long time. I stuck the SD into my reader but no luck. Any idea how I could get the images into iMovie?
Thanks

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Answer 12

Jun 8, 2008 4:59 PM in response to wiredancer

Maybe create a blank 8GB readable writable disk image. Then drag all the contents of the Panasonic card to the disk image using the finder. Then load from there.

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Answer 13

Jun 10, 2008 2:17 AM in response to AppleMan1958

Great! This worked. First it did not, but then, after deleting files which I assumed were not relevant it did work like a dream.
Thanks AppleMan.

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