Panasonic SDR-H40 compatibility?

Question

Level 1

11 points

Panasonic SDR-H40 compatibility?

I've heard both yes and no for iMovie 08, but not 09 yet.
1. Will this camera work, the video part and not still pics, with my Power PC G4, and my first generation Dual G5, same operating systems with iMovie 09?

2. Even if it doesn't work with iMovie 08 or 09, I have Final Cut Express. Can I us it with FCE?

I've found a good price on eBay and I'm leery about getting it because I've heard both yes and no. I don't think I'll have a problem since I'm running FCE, and rarely use iMovie. It would be nice to know that iMovie worked with it when I'm wanting to do something real quick and easy with video.

Thanks for the reply's!!!!

Power PC G4, Mac OS X (10.5.6)

Posted on Mar 1, 2009 7:25 AM

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Answer 1

Mar 1, 2009 3:11 PM in response to Kevin Lee5

This camera is not on the supported list for iMovie 09 or 08, although you might be able to do some conversion outside of iMovie with a tool like MPEG Streamclip.

iMovie will not run on the G4, but certain models of the G5 are supported. See the spec sheet.

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Answer 2

Mar 11, 2009 6:35 AM in response to AppleMan1958

The camera works great with iMovie '09. Connect the USB, choose Hard Drive on the camera, open iMovie '09, click the camera icon in iMovie, and away you go. No need to use MPEG Streamclip or anything else. Aside from compatibility, it's a **** of a machine.

One problem so far: I don't know how to transfer the time stamp onto iMovie. Maybe there's a slick way, but I haven't found it yet. I just bought the camera less than a week ago, so I've a lot to learn. But I've been reading that this is an issue for others as well.

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Answer 3

Mar 11, 2009 7:05 AM in response to Jim Mcdonald

I'm now reading that the .moi files on the camera have the time/date information. So it's going to be a challenge to get iMovie '09 to integrate that information into an imported film. That's my guess. I read that it's possible for iMovie '09 to recognize the .moi by changing the extension to .mpg, but if so, I'm not sure that doing so will allow iMovie '09 to use it properly. Anyone know about this?

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Answer 4

Mar 12, 2009 6:02 AM in response to Jim Mcdonald

In the small steps to education, I discovered that it doesn't matter whether I'm able to import the .moi file as an integrated piece of the .mod file that's on the SDR-H40. That's because iMovie '09 has a better, more stylish way of inserting the date and time onto any clip, at any place on the clip, without the .moi file. After days of researching the .moi mystery on the web, the answer was all in iMovie '09. I was wondering why all of the discussion about this little file and the problems with the time stamp was coming from folks who didn't have this newest version of iMovie. For those who are still looking for an answer on how to get the time stamp from .mod/.moi files in the Panasonic, JVC, or a few Canon models, open iMovie, import a clip of your choosing, and then press the "titles" button. There's a time stamp option.

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Answer 5

Kevin Lee5 Author

Level 1

11 points

Mar 12, 2009 6:07 AM in response to Jim Mcdonald

Thanks for the update. That's just like a Mac, making it easy for us. I've read other threads on the camera for PC users, and I laugh every time because of all the files they have to download, install, import, convert, etc. (you Mac users get where I'm going), and then all we have to do is plug it in and play.
When are PC users going to wake up?????
BTW, the camera works "PERFECTLY" on my mac with iMovie09.

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Answer 6

Kevin Lee5 Author

Level 1

11 points

Mar 12, 2009 6:20 AM in response to Jim Mcdonald

I meant to say/ask also about the time stamp, I'm using FCE4 and can't find the time stamp with it. I will try what you said about iMovie and the time stamp and then see if it stays when I use FCE4.
I have to download my movies in iMovie anyway because FCE supposedly does not work with the format of the camera.

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Answer 7

Mar 12, 2009 2:26 PM in response to Kevin Lee5

The time stamp in iMovie '09 should stay with the film clip as you move the file or burn it. The date and time become embedded in the film, just like transitions or titles. Somehow, wherever you place the time stamp is exactly, to the second, when the frame was made. When I was using my old 8mm Canon, I'd be pushing the time/date button while recording and embed the stamp that way. My guess is that the PC/.moi version is something like that.

Although I haven't been using iMovie for a lot of editing, I'm not understanding how this app could ever get mediocre reviews from anyone. I think it's great.

Next for Apple: how about a serious revision of iDVD, or eliminate the app altogether and give iMovie independent burning capabilities.

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Answer 8

Jpmp

Level 1

0 points

Apr 21, 2009 1:11 PM in response to Jim Mcdonald

How did you get the camera to work? When I had imovie 08. I could plug in camera and it would show up for me to download into imovie. Once I upgraded to imovie 09 it no longer works. I can't get it to even recognize that the camera is plugged into computer. I've called apple and Panasonic to no avail. I've searched the web and can't find an answer of what to do.

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