Panasonic HDC-SD9 compatibility and workaround

As many know the Panasonic HDC-SD9 is currently not supported by iMovie '08. There is a commercial product available which seems to work smoothly (Voltaic). However I tried to find a solution that works with what I already have. Following a tip by another user that was posted in this forum I used Toast9 to import the .MTS files and then export them as file. Unfortunately the output could not be imported to iMovie '08. I tried several formats but to no avail. Then I tried the same with iMovie HD, and it worked. These are the settings I was using in Toast 9 which seem to produce good results (Apple Intermediate Codec, HDV 1080i, Size: 1920x1080 HD 16:9, Framerate: keep framerate output says 25 however). I was able to import the file in iMovie HD. The project setting I used was "HDV 1080i". For reasons I do not understand it is not possible to import the newly created project directly into iMovie '08 (the project file is empty - clips as well as media area). However if you export from iMovie HD using Quicktime and the same AIC settings as above you will end up with a file you can import into iMovie '08 (if you prefer editing with iMovie '08). Well it is at least a workaround and I have no idea if the settings could be tweaked to get even better results (any ideas?) or of it is possible to use the new progressive 1920x1080p format without significant loss of quality (settings?). Still I, as many others, hope that Apple will support this popular AVCHD device soon.

iMac 24" Core 2 Duo , MacBook 13" Core 2 Duo, Apple TV, Mac OS X (10.5.2)

Posted on May 25, 2008 3:47 PM

33 replies

Jun 17, 2008 9:51 AM in response to Robenzo

Robenzo wrote:

I then looked into the Library/Quicktime folder and had only two files:
XviD 1.0 Pref App
XviD_Codec 1.0 alpha.component

Could the problem be that I am missing the two files that are listed in your directory?

iMovie will NOT work without the files listed in *STEP #2*

02- Remove any 3rd Party plugins that may be interfering with QuickTime.

. . . . . . Here are the only 2 files in MY QUICKTIME FOLDER:

. . . . . . {Root Level} / Library / QuickTime / AppleIntermediateCodec.component
. . . . . . {Root Level} / Library / QuickTime / AppleMPEG2Codec.component

. . . . . . If you do have more than the 2 files listed above, then temporarily
. . . . . . move the "NON APPLE" components outside of the QuickTime folder.

I recommend a reinstall of iMovie08 in order to get back both of the missing files:

. . . . . . AppleIntermediateCodec.component
. . . . . . AppleMPEG2Codec.component

And remember, there is NO need to use 3rd party utilities such as: Perian, Voltaic, xVid, Divx, etc.

Aug 16, 2008 6:25 AM in response to stefan_e

I just got the SD9 today and before opening up the box i was reading all the imcompatibility issues with this format. But after getting all the latest software updates (iMovie 7.1.4, QuickTime 7.5, etc) now i am able to download the MTS files into iMovie without any issues. And it looks great. I have recorded on all the different sizes and was able to import without issues. (i have a Intel based 2.85GHz iMac).

I would definitely recommend this camera because of its awesome picture quality. I still have to do more research but as far as compatibility goes, it works great now !!!

shakos

Level 1

0 points

Aug 17, 2008 12:27 PM in response to stefan_e

Hello

I have a little question regarding the SD9.

I have this camcorder since 2-3months and have experienced the same problems like everyone regarding apple compatibility.

Now all works fine, but I am not very satisfyed with the recording quality of this machine: it is very sensitive to movements and is quite shaky even with the optical stabilizator turned on. ( I even have tried the play back using the panasonic dvd writer. )

Anybody else having these problems or may it have an internal default?

Thank you

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Panasonic HDC-SD9 compatibility and workaround