Trouble importing from Panasonic HDC-SD5

Be sure to use AC power on your camcorder (although you can also put your SDHC card into a USB card reader and this will work.)

Plug in camcorder.
Attach USB cable.
Turn on camera to Playback mode.
Open iMovie.
An import screen should pop up. Wait at least five minutes for the camera to be recognized, although it is usually instantaneous.

Be sure you have run software update to get the latest iMovie, iLife, Quicktime updates.

pilot120 wrote:
When I connect my Panasonic HDC-SD5 AVCHD camcorder to my computer using a usb cable, a disk drive mounts, but no camera is seen by iMovie. The files on the disk drive cannot be imported either. Does anyone know how to import video from a Panasonic HDC-SD5 camera into iMovie?

If your Mac Mini happens to be a *Single Core* system then AVCHD is _not supported_.

This is where I got the info: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1014

+Note: AVCHD support requires an Intel-based Core Duo Mac or better.+

There is a product called Voltaic HD (google it) which may allow you to use your AVCHD on a Mac Mini. I think they will let you try before you buy. It will be quite slow, but may be your best bet if you are not ready for a new Mac.

Hi Pilot120 & All other mac users,
I have just purchased a Panasonic HDC/SX5 AVCHD Camcorder which I was assured would work on my Mac. G4 Power Mac 867gHz dual, 2gb ram. I am experiencing similar problems to Pilot120.
Info from mac iMovie says to connect via firewire cable/port, info from Panasonic says only USB cable as supplied to be used. I find that I cannot import clips to IMovie via Usb nor can I import via Usb card reader. All connections ie power cables etc connected correctly. Screen messages tell me that no camera connected and I get no message on screen from Sandisk card reader with Extreme111 class 6 card inserted. Can anyone give advice ?
Many thanks
Owlgifel

You need in Intel Mac, not a G4, and you need to be running iMovie 08, not a previous version. You may look into Voltaic as a possible solution.

Thanks Appleman 1958, Spoke to Warehouse Express who advised me to visit PC World and get a Firewire to 5 pin connector as per Panasonic output socket.
PC world do not do such a cable. It does seem to be that there is compatibility problems between the devices. Will investigate further.
Owlgifel

The Panasonic HDC-SD5 does not have a firewire port, so you are getting bad advice.

FOR IMOVIE-08 TO SUPPORT AVCHD YOU MUST HAVE AN INTEL-BASED CORE DUO MAC OR BETTER.

iMovie-08 will NOT import from an AVCHD camera when using a G4, G5 or Single Core Intel.

This is where I got the info: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1014

USA Consumer products for Panasonic camcorders (non-professional series) only have one camcorder type that use the IEEE/Ilink/DV/Firewire connection (pick your poision on what you want to call it Panny calls it DV).

The models with the prefix PVDV/PVDC/PVGS are the models that use DVC tape and they will have a DV connection. Only the higher end of these model types will allow you to transfer video over a USB connection and those actually started in the PVGS line about 3 years ago.

Outside of that, Panny makes camcorders that record to DVD, SD and SD/HDD media. All of these models (whether high-def or standard) use USB to connection for a personal computer and they are not treated as capture devices but more like removable drives. These camcorders are not compatible with a USB to DV conversion cable so do not waste your money.

That is all I have for now. Please copy and repost this where it is needed.

🙂