In a continuing review of AVCHD Camcorders, let’s take a look at at transferring videos from Canon HG10 to the computer.
AVCHD camcorders are typically equipped with and connect to computers via USB 2.0 port. Canon HG10 is a hard-drive-based AVCHD camcorder, and the only way to transfer the data from the hard drive is to connect it to the computer via USB 2.0 port. That’s excluding the options to open up the camcorder, take out the hard-drive, mount it in an external USB 2.0 (or FireWire; but importing is not supported), and then connect it to the computer. Don’t do that. Just connect the camcorder to the computer via USB 2.0 port.
One other important note is that the camcorder has to be connected to the power source in order to “import” the video clips.
The placement of the USB 2.0 port of Canon HG10 is a little bit awkward. The USB port is located on the inside, covered by the LCD screen. It is not the best place for the USB port.
Once the camcorder is connected, turn the camera to “PLAY” mode.
Sony Vegas Movie Studio 8 Platinum Edition can natively read movies in AVCHD format, it can directly read the “.mts” files. It takes a relatively short time to import the video clips from the camera to Sony Vegas. Sony Vegas users can copy the AVCHD folder to another hard drive, then import the video clips from the hard drive instead of the camcorder.
Mac users are at a disadvantage, because iMovie ’08, Final Cut Express 4, and Final Cut Pro 6 do not recognize the “.mts” files. Those Mac programs have to convert the AVCHD videos on the fly during imports. Because of this, the import process on the Mac is taking a lot longer in contrast to Sony Vegas. After all, AVCHD is developed by Sony and Panasonic. There are other ways to make the process a little bit easier for Mac users, I will get to that later.
Buy Sony Vegas Movie Studio 8 Platinum Edition from Amazon.com
Buy Final Cut Express 4 from Amazon.com
I just bought an HG 10 and will want to be able to edit my work on Final Cut, so I will have to do some importing. Please continue this discussion, when you’re ready!
Thanks!
Just boot a MacBook and hoped it would connect to my HG10 seemlessly, as their ads suggest. but after loadign the software, and folloing the instructions as you lay out above, the camera is not recognized. Suggestions?
thanks
Hi. I have connecting problems too. I have HG10 and an intel based 24inch imac. I tried trashing the iMovie 08 preferences, but do not know how to do so. Any suggestions?
I am at a loss as to what to try from here. My computer recognizes the camera, as an icon appears on my desktop called “Canon HDD”. But iMovie won’t do anything with it, nor will iDVD, as it says it must be hooked up via Firewire, which the HG10 doesn’t support.
Thanks in advance for any thoughts.
does it work on Window’s Movie MAker
can it work on Windows MovieMAker
i have an canon hg10, im using sony’s vegas movie studio 8 platinum and cannot transfer the data from the camera, i even rang sony they said it does not recognise the format. im very confused can somebody help me
what about Sony Vegas 6? i have that and im looking to buy the canon hg10. and i do have Sony Vegas 6….
I believe that Sony Vegas 6 does not support AVCHD.
Hi there. I’ve got Final Cut Pro 6.0.2 but can’t seem to import anything from my Canon HG10 AVCHD camcorder. I go to Log and Transfer, and it says the “AVCHD media isn’t supported on PowerPC based hardware.”
Any suggestions? Camera is obviously turned-on and the USB cable is plugged-in. Would appreciate your thoughts on this. Thanks.
I’m looking for a video camera that has 3CCD tech, with a 30-60 GB hard drive that will work with Final Cut Express 4 on my (3month old) Mac book Pro that has intell duo somthing or other??? I need help! I tried the JVC cam corder but nothing! I like the cameras with the hard drive (as it will save time with editing). Please point me to the right video camera and let me know what to expect. Thank you so very much!!!
ive been using VoltaicHD (from http://www.shedworx.com) which runs on the PC platform but also runs on Macs (Intel and PowerPC ). It works great since it converts the avchd files into suitable formats on both platforms.
i have a apple black macbook with leopard 10.5.2. i have final cut express 4.0 and i am thinking about getting a camera. can i get a sony avchd or should i just get a regular mini-dv camera ?
Can you give me a very basic explanation of why I cannot connect my Canon HV20 to my Mac/ Final Cut Express?? I get an error message when I connect it that says “Unable to locate the following devices: Apple Firewire NTSC (720 x 480) and I have no idea why!!!
Hi,
I have the Canon HG10 and I’ve been using iMovie to convert and edit the files. The only problem that I’ve encountered is that it has a hard time dealing with big files (over 1GB) and often does not transfer them (says that an error ocurred.) Since the mac doesn’t recognize the raw MTS file what are my other options here?
Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks!
Mac Mini
1.73 Ghz Core 2 Duo
2GB DDR
10.4.10
Btw, just tried to transfer those same files on a pc and they all transfer without a problem (using Ulead).
Suggestions? Thanks for your help!
OK, just upgraded to the latest version of iMovie and the problem is fixed! Thanks for all your attention!
Hi,
I’m a newby HG10 owner with a modern PC, XP home
So far I have managed to load a movie to Youtube using the Corel bundled software and Windows moviemaker – teapobs – on Youtube
What will I need to make Vimeo clips?
Thinking about Sony Vegas 8 Platinum
and DVD Architect
Will these compress the files for Vimeo, or am I off track ?
Max
I am new to camcorders and just purchased a HG10. I was able to transfer the .m2ts files onto my XP pc and play them in the supplied InterVideo WinDVD. The videos are jerky on the pans and zooms – they make me motion sick. I downloaded Vegas and converted to .avi and played in WMP, but the quality of the video was lost – very grainy. All I want is to take videos, put them on my XP pc, and play them back in something simple and free, like WMP or QuickTime. Does anyone have a SIMPLE workflow for doing this (preferably using Vegas)?
Thank you,
Mark
Hey – great post! – Any idea how to get the .mts files from a sony HDR-SR1 (30b hdd model) to import into final cut express 4 ?
sorry – re above post just to clarify… i mean files i’ve already got off camera – can do it from the camera – is voltaic the only way?
bingo – so its the combination of the volume being external and the folder structure that allows log & transfer to pick them up.
hey thanks 37
Hi there,
Nice website! I like the colors and layout very much.
Like everyone else posting on here, I now have a Canon HG10, and have a down rev of iMovie and iDVD on a G5 iMac. I also have an XP machine with a 1.8 GHz Core2Duo w/3.5 GB of RAM.
I’m torn between buying Sony Vegas or upgrading to iLife `08. Any advice here? Obviously, I’d have to use Voltaic to convert the AVCHD files first if I stay on the Mac. I’d like to produce both classic DVDs and AVCHD DVDs. At some point, I’ll break down and replace the iMac, but I’d like to put that off for now.
Thanks very much for the advice! Btw, the HG10 seems like a very popular camera on here. After having one, I see why.
Vegas it is. What happens in Vegas… 🙂
Anyhow, thanks again!
I have a Panasonic HDC-SD1 AVCHD video camera that I enjoy but until recently I couldn’t edit the files very well with the software that came with the camera. Recently I bought an Intel-based iMac and installed iMovie ’08. I can now download files directly from the camera and all is working well. My question is, during the time I couldn’t edit my files I stored them on my hard drive until I found the right software but, as you know, iMovie doesn’t recognize mt2s files that haven’t gone through the importing process. Is there any software that I can use to translate these files and then import them into iMovie? Someone recommended a freeware program called MPEG Streamclip, which I downloaded but doesn’t work on my iMac. Any suggestions?
Well, wish I’d done a search for G5 iMac and the HG10 before. Spent four hours trying to get the video to load onto the computer – all I got was “Camera Not Found”. Went out got iLife. Finally, iMovie says “you need an intel mac.” So, downloaded Voltaic – which works, although slowly. Now just waiting for the battery to fully charge so I can do some shooting with this new toy.
I just bought a Canon HG10 and I have problems with playing the movies I made on my laptop. I’m new in the movie business and probably I’m making something wrong. Could somebody explain to me what to do?
The problem is that after I back-uped the files in my computer I canot open them because of the extension mts.
I have Windows Vista. I used the backup program supplied with the amera. I think that the structure is the same.
I also have the HG10
What is the best thing to convert MTS files into without them being too big and also retaining video quality?
Thanks a lot. It works.
I’m getting the canon hg 10 & I have sony vegas platinum. How do you perform the following tasks that you mention & what do they mean:
I’d say copy the structure of the hard drive to preserve the source
You need to preserve the folder structure of all the files from the HG10.
I’m considering a Canon HF100, and I want to backup from SDHC cards to DVD-R DL without intermediate format conversion on my MacBook Pro. If I preserve the directory structure as you’ve described here, will the DVDs be viewable on a Blu-ray player? If this won’t work by Finder copy, will it work with unix cp? Or is it best to use Canon DW-100 burner
How long does a Finder copy take for 8GB? I assume your camcorder is connected vis USB 2.0, as mine will be.
P.S. Any thoughts on the Canon DW-100 DVD burner?
P.P.S. Thanks for the quick reply.
One other thought: is there any Mac software for playing MTS files? If so, would this allow HD viewing if connected through the HF100 to my HDTV? Or am I back to buying the Canon DM-100 burner?
I too have a Canon HG10 and Sony Vegas Movie Studio Platinum 8.0d. I cannot open .mts files. “The file is an unsupported format.” is the message I get when attempting to import. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
*EDIT* to post above…
Windows PC running dual boot/partition of XP and XP x64. Sony Vegas Platinum Edition 8.0d is separately installed on BOTH OS’s.
I have combed through your posts, and in general find them very helpful. But I seemt o be missing a step in the transfer process.
Here’s what i have:
dual core Intel Mac G5
Final cut 6.0.2
canon HG10.
You mentioned after connecting the camera properly (with power attached) that you just hit Log and Transfer.
My problem is that in order to begin the final cut session I have to make choices about which formats I am using and importing before I can get to the Log and tansfer page. There is no selection that seems to be a match…most of them are Firewire connections, and the ones that don’t mention firewire do not seem to be the correct ones either.
What format do i select to begin the final cut session?
Thanks for your help
Bart
not sure what the deal is with the PE edition I have. I doesn’t even have ANYTHING listed for MPEG2,4, etc. for importing or opening. Is there a key to unlock ALL the importing options? Seems kinda odd that it doesn’t recognize ANY MPEG extensions…
Thanks for the help. I was able to transfer all of the video.
Someone I know has a problem with his HG10. He is using iMac and iMovie 08.
The problem is that the quality of the video drops a lot when he transfers the video files into his iMac. The quality is superb when he connects his camera to a TV via HDMI-cable, but when he watches the clips on computer, the quality is not that good anymore.
I think the problem is that iMovie 08 doesn’t support those .mts -files, but is there any way to raise the quality of the videos on computer?
I have been struggling with importing from a Canon HG10 using Voltaic on a Mac G5. Am now looking at this device that converts the HDMI output to a file most computers can use:
http://www.blackmagic-design.com/products/
Looks as though it might overcome so many of the quality problems with manipulating AVCHD files
Anybody seen this in use?
Hello…
im thinking about getting an hg10 soon… and i want to film in FULL hd…then put the footage on my windows vista homeP computer. then i want to be able to edit the HD footage and upload it to youtube as well as vimeo. i need the help of someone who HAS edited HD video using vegas. if i had filmed 5 minets of footage… how long would it take to import that to my computer. and will the editing be smooth? also how much memory is 5 minets of full hd gona take up on my pc? thanks in advance
I have Sony DVD-R discs that I have tried repeatedly to import into Windows Movie Maker in order to edit them. Each time I have received a message telling me that the files are ‘unsupported’ and no program I try will ‘support’ them. Any suggestions?
Hi all, I’m looking for some help editing hg10 material on a vista pc with vegas platinum edition. could anyone confirm that this should (might?) work smoothly. I read that sony avchd, which vegas of course supports, is not quite the same as canon avchd. If so, does anyone know a good converter. Also, am I correct in supposing that i can transfer my video by simply copy-ing the avchd folder from the camcorder’s harddrive to my pc, and then open the material in vegas.
thans a million for your comments.
joost
this works beautifully indeed. One more thing. Do you know which are the important files to copy? ie, if I have recorded and downloaded 100 mts files, and I want to downoad number 101, do I have to replace the whole avchd folder or can I just add this one mts-file to the avchd folder on the hard drive?
i cannot get vegas to detect my sony hdr sr-11, let alone download files from it. It says it supports it. Windows can detect the camera fine. I can pull the aschd file from the camera with windows, but vegas still cannot see the .mts files. Any hints?
Same here, Canon HF-10, Vista 32bit, Vegas Movie Studio Platinum 8.0d – will not read .MTS files from the Camera or if copied to the hard drive.
“The file is an usupported format.”
Note to my above post.
Just tested, Vegas Pro reads the Canon MTS files just fine.
i had to convert the .m2t files from the sony sr-11 to mpeg2 files in order for them to be read. seems alittle strange that a sony product cannot read the high def sony files like it says it should. Also usb transfer is NOT supported, only firewire, and the high end Sony camcorders (SR-11 and Sr 12) do not have firewire!! go figure. I’m getting frustrated and I hope Sony takes note.
Same old problem.. I am trying to purchase a AVCHD camcorder that will work with my 24″ imac. I am drawn to the Panasonic because of the 3 ccds. The people at The Apple Store told me to buy a camera with either a firewire or a dv out connection and I would not have any problems. Do you agree? If so, what camera would you recommend? Also I will mostly be shooting indoors so low light performance is an issue for me.
You are a wonderful resource.
Hi, I have been reading all of this info and my head is spinning…as of right now I’m looking at buying either a Canon HG10 or Sony SDR-HD11 and cannot decide…but here’s the thing…Right now I have Sony Vegas 8.0 on my computer…am I going to be able to import files from either camcorder or am I going to have to buy a different program? I’ve watched many utube videos and see how much time it takes to import using the software provided for the Sony but since I have Sony Vegas 8.0 will I bypass that nonsense?
Also, any comments about either the Sony or Canon would be much appreciated…does the 24p make a difference on the Canon? I am an amateur with a nonprofit organization and need to be able to do semi “professional” video for events and then use them in promotion .
I am really torn between these 2 camcorders …a friend of mine has a Sony and has had tons of problems with it staying in focus and also tells me of the nightmware it is to deal with Sony in general…
I appreciate any insight you can offer!
Hi, I need to know if i can import my sony hdr sr 11 clips to my computer and edit them on windows movie maker and if i can how and if i can’t is there any other programs i could use instead Sony Vegas or final cut. I also (not to clear on this subject) might think that somebody can convert avchd to wma or media form? Please answer back.
plez help me
@ #49 – Cheryl
I have the Canon HF-10 and was able to import the AVCHD clips directly from the camera with Sony Vegas Pro 8.0 with no problem. I could not get Sony Vegas Movie Studio Platinum to import the clips, kept saying unrecognizable format.
The ImageMixer software the Canon comes with is garbage, sure you can bring the clips onto your computer, and has limited editing capabilities, but it cannot save in any other format other than .m2ts format.
So, I don’t use it at all, and use Vegas Pro 8.0 to import/edit and use that to save in a more friendly format.
As for my opinion on my camera, I love it. I too was deciding between Canon and Sony, the comparison reviews I read have them basically dead even in the image quality department. I haven’t used the Sony outside of the retail shops so I cannot say. The 24p with Cinemode looks awesome though, looks better than a lot of commercials you see on TV. The 30p option is nice too for for filming faster action stuff. The deciding factor was cost and it being flash based. I have a friend that works for Canon and I got my HF-10 for a song, comparitively speaking.
I’ve had many Canon products and have never had any issues with them. Maybe your friend just got a lemon though.
Is there a way to distribute an almost-full camera HDD across a number of DVDs for archival purposes, retaining the original AVHCD and/or .mts format? (On XP.)
What am i missing here. I have Vista Ultimate x64, 4 gigs of ram, e6550 @ 3.0 Ghz, All updates installed, fresh install of Vegas Movie Studio Platinum Version 8.0d (build 139).
When i import or drag and drop
“File C:UsersClayDesktop20080712153900AVCHDBDMVSTREAM0001.MTS could not be opened.”
Am i missing a patch or something?
If anyone cares the one program that has worked for my canon HG10 was pinnacle studio plus 11.
Not the easiest to work with but worked good right out of the box. It doesnt have a batch convert tool or anything but you can easily do a clip one at a time.
I hope this helps anyone
Will AVID Xpress Pro ..read the files directly …
Macbook pro user here. I have FCP 5.1.4 and I can’t seem to figure out how to import the footage from this Canon HG10. Help please. My iMovie is version 6, i am considering updating, but this should work with FCP shouldn’t it???
i have an intel based Mac, guess i have to update imovie to 08
Thanks for the AVID reply
Sorry one other ?
why does Canon not advise pulling the AVC HD files right from the HD of the Camera ? Rather using the Backup software
I know that some have problem with mts files with pirate version of Sony Vegas, so by a real copy and support your software developer.
Regards
I’ve been using Log & Transfer from my HG10 onto Final Cut Express for months with no problems. Now, within the last two weeks, the Log & Transfer is empty and won’t read or recognize a pathway to my Camera. What gives?
Patrick, my computer has started doing this, did you figure out what was wrong?
Help! I can’t transfer my files from my HG10 to my AVID DV program. How do I do this?
My issue is that I have a Canon HG10 and have imported video into my Macbook Pro (running imovie 7.1.4, processor 2.4 GHz, 4 Gb memory). I selected HXP quality in my camcorder with an instant A.F and PF24 frame rate. I imported the video in full size and quality; however, playing back the cache.mov shows that the video is not smooth during movement and some light patches are evident. How can this be rectified?
I have the HG10 and Final Cut Pro 5.1. Now I can get the HG10 to work with imovie 08, but imovie 08 sucks. I have been trying to connect the HG10 to final cut, but I have had no luck. Any help would be great….
Well, I’ve owned my Canon HG10 for almost a year and STILL haven’t been able to edit my videos. I really wish the salesperson pointed me towards something more simple. He also sold me on Pinnacle software, which, for some reason, takes over my DVD drive after it installs and I can’t use it to watch ANY of my regular DVDs…I had to rollback to get rid of the problem, the Pinnacle software.
Can I just solve these problems by getting Vegas?..which I probably should have done in the first place? All I want to do is make some videos, convert them to a format that can be played on Windows Media Player (or any other common viewer) and maybe put some videos up on youtube….I didn’t think it was that much to ask, but here I am a year later! I really like my camera, but I feel like a fool for buying Pinnacle, and now of course I can’t take it back.
Any advice? And is there a simple to use program that can take the .mts files and simply convert them to .avi or .mpeg? Thanks!
Did you solve the problem? I have the same problem with a used HG10 I purchased
This page has been a LOT of help to me. I have an HG10 and I go to film school (Full Sail University)
I have almost no idea how to use Final Cut (yet!) but this has helped me get started immensely!
I have an Intel iMac and a Canon HG10. Is there any way to import video shot at 24p and keep it at 24p? It seems that everything gets converted into 1080i when it’s exported from the camera. Is that right?
Thanks!
Okay,
I have the HG10 and Final Cut Pro 6.0.
I’m using log and transfer and when I select the AVCHD folder in the Canon HDD drive and hit OPEN…nothing happens….WTF!
Can’t seem to find a step by step on the net but how do I get my HG10 footage into FCP 6.0?
I have the HG10 and want to make some dvds of my movies. I need help converting my MTS files using the corel software or windows movie maker. I have XP. As of now, I can transfer the files from the camera to my computer, but cannot view them as they are MTS.
Please help!
Thanks
I am trying to transfer my video to my newly purchased Macbook Pro (I have used PCs my whole life, and still have one), which I purchased for handling all of my video and photo editing, which my PC was rather slow and clunky for the task. Anyway, it looks like iMovie converts them to .mov files when it transfers them from the Canon HG10. Are there any pros/cons to this? Alternatives?
Thanks for the great information and forum.
Hi!
I have Final Cut Pro 6.0 and Imovie 7.1.4, so I cannot work with AVCH from de Camera Canon. My question es how can I upgrade the last version of both program if I don´t have the original licences. Thanks a lot for the explanations, they are great!
I too, like #65 Paul and #69 Michelle need help with something as simple as using a program that can take the .mts files and simply convert them to .avi or .mpeg?
Any suggestions?
After reading this all (first class thread!) I am very surprised that nobody would try using the HG10 kinda media player. I am new-comer in editing and did not succeed, but: is there a possibility to transfer AVCHD files (.m2ts) from other sources on camcorder? For ones having no BD players or media tanks it would be the really best choice for HD home entertainment, extracting AVCHD from ie. MKV files (with tsmuxer) and playing them in best quality on their HG10.
Could you help me, please?
Ok, I’m running a Mac Book with OS 10.4.11 and Final Cut Pro 5.1. I have the Canon HG10 camera. I have also purchased a 7200 rpm drive. I transfered the contents of the camera onto my new drive so I could make room on the camera hard drive. Now, I can’t import the files into final cut. Is this possible to do or do you have to capture directly off of the camera?
Thanks!
Kevin,
You need Final Cut Pro 6.0.4 or Final Cut Express 4, or iMovie ’08.
Final Cut Pro 5.1 does not have AVCHD support.
Hi,
I recently purchased Sony Vegas Movie Studio Platinum 8 to work with my Canon HG10. I’m running a reasonably powerful Vista machine (4GB memory, 500GB hard drive).
I’ve used the standard software that came with the camera (the Guide Menu in DVD Movie Factory SE) to transfer the M2TS files from the camera to the PC. I can then import these files into Movie Studio ok. I can edit them ok as well. The problem starts when I try to save to disk, and then when I burn to DVD.
When you save to disk, the choice of “Formats” and “Templates” is bewildering – I have selected avi format and have tried PAL DV widescreen and also the various HDV formats, but when I Burn to DVD the resulting file has lost the Voice track. The Voice track is present at the point where the file is saved to disk (you get the chance to watch/listen to the video clip) but it has disappeared by the time it gets to DVD.
I didn’t use DVD Architect by the way – simply clicked Finish at the end of the DVD burn process.
Can anyone help?
Hi I just bought I Canon HG-10, and I cant transfer the videos to myy macbook, I have final cut pro 5.0.4 and I movie pro???
Do you know can I do the transfer????
Tks a lot
Helena
Hey everyone,
I transferred my movie files onto computer with ULead
but accidentally deleted the wrong movie files and
emptied out the trash can.
I am now trying to use a recovery program
but do not remember the type of file the movies are.
Would someone please take a look at your file and let me know?
Thanks!
You can see the type of fileI am talking about if you go to
My Documents/
ULead DVD MovieFactory/
5.6/
Capture/
Thanks!
Hi
I have just bought the HG10 camera, all I want to do it use a editing program to edit my clips then put them on a DVD. I really new at all this so could do with the advice! I am using a Windows XP computer and it wont recognise the MTT files. The coral application software that came with the camera is jolted and pretty rubbish! Is is worth converting the files to WMA then using movie maker, or would I be better off buying other editing software?
Thanks alot,
Katie
Hi I Have a Canon HG10 camera and run Mac with Imovie 08. My problem is using iDVD ‘One Step DVD’ connecting the camera direct to the Mac. I only want to transfer ‘clips’ say after videoing something for 1 hour and want to transfer that instantly onto DVD without editing. It doesn’t seem to work for me. Can you point me to what I may be doing wrong.
Transfering to iMovie works well but I dont want to go through that whole process of imporint to iMovie then transferring all the individual clips to iDVD when this is an unnecessary move.
Great set of comments! I have a new iMac G5, Duo Core, 4.5 gb RAM, FCE 4, and am able to import the video. Oh, and a Canon Vixia HF10. Importing was via log and transfer. I plugged the camera in, choose ‘PC’ and voila, it showed up as a drive on the desktop. I launched FCE. I had to select the Canon as a scratch disk, and it took over from there. Imported fine. Runs fine in the log and transfer window. Next problem….when I move a clip to the actual window to edit….CHOPPY and stops running. I’m at a loss as to how to solve this one. Anybody this far yet, willing to share?
Thanks!
After a lot of trial and error I managed to successfully burn my video to DVD – I hadn’t realised that Sony Vegas wouldn’t do it and that I needed to use DVD Architect Studio.
I’m a bit disappointed that I haven’t been able to create a true HD disk – DVD Architect restricts me to (PAL) 720 x 576 lines.
Does anyone know how to get a full HD DVD that matches my original settings when I first imported the files into Sony Vegas Movie Studio Platinum 8, ie 1440 x 1080?
Thanks
I have a Canon HF100 and using the bundled ImageMixer3 SE software I have no problems saving the files to either the Hard drive or a DVD. Once the software is installed it opens automatically when you attach the HF100 to the computer via the supplied USB2 cable and the also supplied power cable. (As soon as you open the LCD screen and switch on the camera). You then simply use the “Save Files to PC” tab. Once that is done you use the “Create Disc” tab and are offered the option of “AVCHD” which is BluRay definition, or DVD-Video. I’ve tried both and they worked perfectly first time ! I have a Sony S350 player. The definition on the DVD-Video isn’t as good as the “AVCHD” but it’s still surprisingly good.
I came to this site whilst Googling for a solution to a huge problem which is retaining the date and time codes which are visible on the HF100’s LCD screen, but disappear once they are on the hard drive or a burned DVD. What is the point of it being in the camera if you can’t get it out ? It was no problem back in the analogue days of VHS tapes. How on Earth is this progress? Any ideas anybody ?
Because all of you have to have it first! Manufacturers continue to put out products that have no business being in the marketplace. Wait until you try to edit your AVCHD files and wait and see the memory space those files begin to consume on your hard drives. All the add ons in the world will not help your causes and there is no help in sight for at least another quarter into 2009. You also need a blu ray burner and guess what, at least a quad core processor. Have fun!
hi, I have recently bought the hg10 and the bundled software won’t install so I have no way to get the files onto my xp. What I’m asking is is there anyway to import the files without the software. Thanks.
Ok, you know your stuff.
Much like the rest of the folks, I’ve got a HG10. I’ve also got a new MacBook with iMovie ’08.
Unfortunately, nothing I do can make iMovie recognize the HG10. I’ve trashed preferences, initialized the camera (I’ve connected it to a PC previously), turned camera on, off, after iMovie opening, before, etc. The camera does appear as “CANON_HDD” on the desktop, and iPhoto will import the pictures from the HG10.
Any ideas?
Bill, it seems I have the same problem as you, did you find a way to make imovie recognize your hg10?
Excuse me but I’m very new to any of this.My problem seems quite simple compared to others.
All i want to do is burn the footage off my hg10 onto a disk maybe 1hr filming tops.With my old sony handycam it was very simple with a one touch burn button but im really having trouble with the canon after downloading all the software.
Just wondered if someone could talk me through the basics?
many thanks
steve
Hi,
I have FCP and a cannon hg10. Whenever I log and transfer my footage it captures at a very high quailty setting, taking up valuble hard drive space on my computer. Is there a way to down convert the footage prior to import, because I currently import, then use the media manager to down convert all the footage, which takes for ever. Thanks for the help
hello…
i recieved the canon hg10 as a present
great camera… but! when i want to download the videos onto my pc
which is vista home,2gb-ram,3.0 ghz,320 gig h/d, i downloads the files using the included cd to get them on my pc and then nothing can play it except the included video software. i would like to be able to post onto youtube/myspace/facebook and other sites
but i can
what would be the best software that is free that will convert the files to other files
HI I have inported my recorded footage from my canon hg10 to pc(windows vista)no problem with usb lead,then i have used dvd movie factory se to select clips then joint the vidio together and then gon to burn.the problem i have is after a few minits it stops and a mesage will apear and say (WINDOW Shost process (rundll32 has stopped workink)a problem caused the programto stop working correctly.windowswill close the programand notify u if a solution is available
sorry please could some 1 help me resolve this problem
sorry please could some 1 help me resolve this problem thank u raj.
I currently have the camera but while I try to sync it with my Macbook, the1599 currenty one, nothing will load or happen. (using imovie).. How can I get iMovie to read the Camcorder. Thanks
I have the hg 20 and imovie 09. I’m not having trouble importing, but it takes forever! I need to download hours of movie at a time and because I am using the footage for internet classes, I’m not concerned about the resolution. What should I do?
Hi,
I am a recent convert to the iMac world (20″ 2.66 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 4GB memory, OSX 10.5.6) and a proud owner of a Canon HG10.
No issues bringing video in to iMovie09 nor archiving the camera’s content. My problem is getting the archived content back to the HG10 so I can view using the camera on my HD TV.
I find it odd that I can archive the content but when I try to copy it back (even after initializing the hard drive) it shows no content.
Any suggestions as to how I can get archived content back to the camera?
You have to copy the whole directory structure off the HG10 hard drive to another drive.
That way you preserve the raw data.
HI, I have an HG10. I dragged the movies onto my pc and started to edit in Roxio Creator 2009. I didn’t copy the AVCHD folder, and now I can’t get them to import into anything but Roxio Creator. The problem is, my Roxio keeps crashing, but that’s another story. I can import clips straight from the camcorder into a number of programs, including PowerDirctor 7 and Nero 7, to get them to dvd, But when I import the clips from my hard drive, all of the programs tell me there is no video data in the file, only audio. I know there IS video, as Roxio will play them. How do I find out what file type they are, so I can convert them? They only appear as ‘media files’ in the folder on my hard drive. Now I have wiped them from the camcorder, will copying them back onto it re-structure them?
Nick
The Sony Tech Help site keeps timing out, so with respect, I’m turning to your site in desparation.
I now have an HDR-UX5 Handycam and edit in Vegas 9 Platinum. I have no problems importing finalized disks recorded in Standard Definition either via the Sony First Step Guide software & USB cable provided in the Sony package or via the computer disk drive. But, I get “unrecognizable format” or “no device detected” when I try to import a disk which is recorded in HD.
I have Service Pack 3 installed on my computer. I uninstalled the Sony First Step Guide Software. Under Vegas Video Capture I have selected HDV. Under Capture preferences – Device type, I have chosen IEEE 1394/MPEG2-TS Device. The “Device” drop-down list is blank/empty – there is nothing to choose.
Per Sony Help instructions, I do not see where on my Sony HD camcorder to select “HDV” mode, except when I format the disk or where to set VCR HDV/DV setting to HDV.
If I have to update the camcorder driver, I do not know how to do this. The camera is only 5 months old.
I have read on line help item on VegasPlat 9, I have read the online help questions and I read the release notes for Vegas Plat9, but I cannot figure this out. Judging by the number of other inquiries related to this problem on the web, I guess I am not the only one.
Quite discouraged, and once a fan of Sony software . . .
I am using a MacBook Version 10.5.4 and a a Canon hd10a video camera. I have been using Final Cut Express to capture my footage. It is currently not working. Everything is connected and running yet FCE cannot is unable to locate the following external devices: Apple FireWire NTSC (720 by 480).. I went to Easy Settings and my settings are set to DV-NTSC by it keeps setting it to DV-PAL automatically. I was able to capture yesterday and now I cannot.
PLEASE help me, my documentary is due this TUESDAY!
Ignore the external device.
I’d suggest you to update Mac OS X to the latest patch (10.4.7 as of 2009.05.21). Check if your FCE is up-to-date also. That might solve your problems.
Sometimes it takes a long time for FCE to recognized the camera.
Its obvoius this site is a complete waste of time because you never get answers to your questions.
I have Canon HG10 for a year and half. I imported from AVCHD to Imovie many time which is no problem. Till recently it appears the problem with Imovie wont cooperate each other with HG10 after import, It crashed. I was puzzled and tried over and over. It still has same problem with import. I borrow my friend’s camcorder which is same model as mine. I imported her canon to my Imovie. it worked well. I send to Canon for repair and was told that Mac need upgrade. I brought 09′ life and it still has same problem. I thought it may be problem with 2.0 USB but it works fine. I was told that best convert to Imovie from Shedworx software.
I have Macbook 1.83 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 2 GB memory, Leopard 10.5, 09′ Life.
What is your suggestion for me to solve the problem?
I have Leopard 10.5, 09 Life and
Hi,
I have a Macbook pro Intel Core 2 Duo and Final Cut Pro 6
I am having a problem when I import the footage it imports at a very high quality, upconverting the footage and taking up about 4x as much space as it is taking up on the camcorder. How can I downconvert the import so that it takes less space up on the hard drive? I can’t even edit the footage in the timeline because my 4GB of Ram isn’t enough to edit the HD footage. It’s very annoying.
I have been using the Media Manager to recompress. That takes twice as long. Any way I could change the import settings to just import as a smaller, lower quality file?
I have a Canon HF10 HD video camera. I have filled the camera’s hard drive with video, but cannot import at this time because I do not have Apple’s latest iLife yet (I am working on a Mac). But I think my daughter is about to take her first steps any minute now.
So my question is, can I copy the AVCHD folder to my computer’s desktop and import it later (once I get iLife)? I don’t want to lose the video I do have, but I need the space on the camera’s hard drive for those first steps.
Will that work? Is there something else I should/can do?
I appreciate any help. Thanks!
Mark,
Good news!
You can copy the entire hard drive to another computer.
Create a folder on your computer, name it “Canon HF10 (for example).
Connect the camcorder, then copy everything from the camcorder as is to “Canon HF10” folder.
You can format the camera hard-drive after you made sure you copied everything.
v
I have an HG10 and use Ulead Videostudio 11 plus. How can I get the time code to show on the final DVD? It shows on playback on the camera, but not on the “movie” that gets burned to disc.
Hi,
I bought a Canon HG10 a couple months ago. Went on holidays with it, came back with 8hours of video on it (irreplaceable – kids Disneyland like stuff). Now when I try to download it to my computer the HG10 will not connect to any PC that I try. All I get is the USB connction icon flashing on the HG10’s LCD screen. I have tried multiple USB cables to no avail. I try to install the software that comes with the camera and it says that the camera must be connected to do this, so it is not seeing it at all. I took it back to Best Buy, but because I didn’t get their $100 service plan I have to send it back to the manufacture. Is there any other way to get my data off this camera? Or if I send it back do you think that they will save the data on the HD?
Call Canon and explain your situation.
I’d be glad to take a look at your HG10 and solve your problem; if the logistic is available.
Let me know how it goes with Canon support. In general I have positive experience with them.
v
I truly think the Canon HG10 is the biggest piece of crap I’ve ever purchased. I hope that MANY people doing their homework, wondering if this is the camera for them, read this. NO help from Canon. NO help from anyone! I’ve owned this camera for almost TWO YEARS now, and I can’t even upload my files for simple review on my computer.
Bought Pinnacle. It won’t work.
Bought Vegas. It doesn’t work, even AFTER I downloaded the latest shareware version of it ONLINE! I buy it, praying to whatever God there is up there that allowed me to spend the extra money on this worthless technology, and…Vegas won’t recognize my files. I’m laughing out loud as I type this!
People. PLEASE, unless you do this for a living, or even if you DO, don’t make my mistake. Buy something simple You’ll be glad you did. This is my second post. You know what I use my HG10 for? PHOTOS. And even doing that is a royal pain.
I still have not managed up download one video off my camera. Not ONE. And looking at the many posts here, I can sum it up in ONE phrase:
Save yourself the trouble and buy something else.
Sorry to hear that you’re frustrated with the HG10.
From my personal experience I don’t have any problems with this particular camcorder.
Try downloading Adobe Premiere Trial here.
https://www.adobe.com/cfusion/tdrc/index.cfm?product=premiere_pro&loc=en
Hope this helps.
P.S. I’m downloading the movies using Macs.
v
I will refer to post #102. Any ideas?
I’m still looking into it. Hopefully I could find a way to resolve your issues.
Thanks for the reply Dan, but if I were to buy Adobe Premiere, that would be the THIRD attempt at trying to get something to work with this giant disappointment. Throwing good money after bad won’t allow me to buy this program, as I also downloaded the Vegas trial, which offered a glimmer of hope. Until I bought it, and…it wouldn’t recognize my HG10 files. I’m pretty sure I actually cried man-tears at that point.
I wish I was making this up. While the camera takes beautiful pictures and video, what good is it if you can’t use them with your computer? My VHS camcorder gave me less headaches than the HG10! And what does Canon have to say to help?…nothing, sadly.
Perhaps my camera will be useful in two more years when computing technology has advanced enough to utilize these AVCHD files in a non-laborious way.
You don’t have to BUY Adobe Premiere. Download the trial and see if it works for you.
No disrespect, but that’s exactly what I tried when I downloaded the trial version of Sony Vegas. I actually handled my avchd files (albeit at a reduced frame rate during editing playback, but that was far better than nothing). So I go out and buy it, bring it home, install it…
Wouldn’t recognize my files. Again.
At this point, I have nothing to lose by trying Adobe for free…but as consumers, we have no real protection when we buy software because as soon as it’s open, you can’t return it. How do I know that this one will be any different.
For what it’s worth, I appreciate your reply. I’ll post again.
HI I have the Canon HG10 and I (thought) I had downloaded all my videos and photos to my computer, turns out it only downloaded all of the .pdf images (the title images)
In the meantime of finding this out I went through and moved all of the photos and videos to the trashcan.
Is there any way to recover the photos and videos from the HDD of the camera?
Sincerely,
Hating myself
Claudine,
Sorry to hear what happened.
Canon HG-10 hard drive is just like any other hard-drive.
If you have not re-recorded anything on the hard-drive you can use recovery softwares to recover the files.
You need to connect the HG-10 to your computer and use the software to search the Hard-Drive for any “erased” files.
What system are you using?
If you’re using Mac, Data Rescue (3) will do the Job.
You need another hard drive to recover those files.
If you have any further questions, please let me know.
v
I have a HG-10. Is there a program that I can plug the camera into my PC and copy whats on the drive to a file that I can replay or edit? Will the Sony vegas edit program do it? I am a beginner and prefer not to spend too much? Also, would the program that comes on a i-Mac work for this. Thanks.
Couldn’t find the update on FCP and the HG10 you mentioned in this post. My question might be a simple answer (though 45 mins on the phone with Canon Tech Support didn’t seem to get me anywhere). When I open FCP for the first time (version 6.0.5) it shows me the “Choose Setup” or “Easy Setup” screen before I can do any log and transfer-type stuff that’s required for the AVCHD of the HG10 (screenshot – http://imgur.com/rA7Yy.png). What settings do I choose? I have the HG10 setup for 1080i, 60fps, and I want to end my FCP project with the highest quality video possible….just need to know what to choose as my setup options.
My Mac: Macbook Pro, 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 4GB RAM, OSX 10.5.8
Billy,
You don’t have to worry too much about the setup part.
After “Log and Transfer” you can add a clip to the Timeline as it would automatically adjust the project to the format of your imported clip.
I must have lost my train of thought somewhere.
I’ll search my notes.
Hopes this help.
or maybe this image will work? http://i.imgur.com/rA7Yy.png
Hello. I own a Canon HG10. I just accidently deleted a couple of files from the hard drive. Is there any way to retrieve those files, or are they gone for good? Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Spencer.
The best way is to stop using the HG10 and run a file recovery software. You might be able to get it back that way. If the camcorder had been recording new videos since you accidentally deleted those files, your chance is slimmer.
Hope this helps.
My HG10 now gives the error “cannot read hard disk” and hence I’m unable to record any videos or view previously recorded clips.
When I turn it on, it first says “READING THE HARD DISK” while trying to read hard disc and then I get the error message “CANNOT READ THE HARD DISK”.
The still picture mode works and it can save to the mini SD card.
Nothing can be saved or read from the hard disk.
I first thought it was humidity related (as mentioned in the manual). So kept it in a dry area and
it still does not work. Hard disc initialization also does not work.
Can you please help me? Can I format/fix the drive myself using some data recovery software?
Thanks,
SV
The HG10 support stinks!!! I totally regret having purchased this camera. It should not be this damn hard to transfer video from the Canon hard drive to my computer.
I have a MAC book pro imovie 08
Hi,
I have an iMac 27 Intel based, FCE 4.0 and a HG10. I can connect the HG10 to the iMac and see the CANON_HDD volume in Finder. When I start up Log and Transfer window, I see the list of clips on the camera just fine and can preview the clips. However, when i add a clip to the transfer queue, the status shows a spinning wheel for a while and then shows a red exclamation mark. According to the manual, this should mean that the volume has been dismounted or the source file gone missing, which i don’t think is the case.
I’ve read a few other posts regarding this, end verified the transcoder is set to Apple Intermediate Codec which is suggested to be mandatory.
Any help on this is greatly appreciatet.
Thanks
/Anders
Hi, I have a Canon HF100, and cannot seem to transfer any of my files, i get the red cirdle with a exclamation mark in the middle of it and error is (no data), ive changed the audio bit to plain stereo and p2 plugin bit to AIC but still no luck. The Final Cut Pro version im running is 6.06, the same thing tends to happen on imovie. im totally lost on ideas now, i would really appreciatte any help please, I have a MAC PRO below are the specs:
Model Name: Mac Pro
Processor Name: Quad-Core Intel Xeon
Processor Speed: 2.8 GHz
Number Of Processors: 2
Total Number Of Cores: 8
L2 Cache (per processor): 12 MB
Memory: 2 GB
Bus Speed: 1.6 GHz
I shoot on SD Cards using AVCHD technology.
It creates a file called “Private”.
When I want to ingest the footage into Final Cut, I must choose log and transfer and then drop the clip into the window.
I can see and watch the clip before I start the process but if fails when I try and complete the log and transfer process.
Any ideas / trouble shooting help to get this to work???
Try it on another mac sara, i had the same problem n the other solution i found was, to log and transfer on another machine, also depends on the camera you use, ive since upgraded to a newer model of the canon, and that works fine for me. hope it helps…
Still won’t work unfortunately. But thanks for tyring!
Sara,
What is the model of your CamCorder?
We have a Canon HG10 and Final Cut Express 4 and we’re trying to import the files through Log & Transfer but when we open up the window there are no files. When we drag media into the “Drag Media Here” (I’m talking about the mts files that is) it says unsupported file type. The camera is connected to power and the Mac we’re using is a white Macbook with firewire (even though we don’t use it). USB cable is connected correctly as well. We’ve been through software update and everything is updated. In two weekends we’re in a film competition and need help quick!
I’ve got the HG 10 and when I shoot anything that is moving faster than a walk the resulting image is not clear and seems to ripple and blur. Is there any way of getting around this problem? What is the best setting for sports or fast moving subjects on this camera.
What software are you using to import/transcode the video?
Help Please!
I am so frustrated with iMovie ’08 AND my camcorder… I have a Canon Vixia HFS10 and have imported videos to my computer via USB for the past few months. The iMovie import window will pop up and I had no problems, until recently.. now whenever i connect them, nothing happens! No import window. I’ve tried almost everything I found through the internet that I thought were helpful, but no success.. ???
Hi I have read your previous responses they seem very helpful…I too have a HG10, its the first time I transfer videos into my laptop and when I try playing a video it says its not supported and the video files seem to be in .cpi form is their any program that I can use to view and play my files…Please help
Hi I just bought the Canon VIXIA HFR10 & I love the camcorder but now I need a movie editer. I first looked at Pinnacle v14 because I thought Sony vegas would’nt take any AVCHD files unless they were from a sony camcorder. Is this true or not?
You can always download the trial to find out:
http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/download/trials/moviestudiopp
Have had this camera for 3 years now and finally have found a site that has helped get the videos off of it. All other Canon cameras transfer files without being plugged in…. It is always just the simplest things……….UUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGHHHH
i have canon hg-10 and want to record from the camcorder to HDD of Panasonic dmr-eh65 or. I am using an HDMI cable to connect the canon with DVD player but it neither plays nor records. Eventually I want to burn HD DVD from the Panasonic dmr-eh65. When I use a USB to connect the camcorder with my Windows XP PC, I can copy the files but when I play , the video is very graing and boxes appear. I have tried all like Win DVD, corel application, AVC, nothing is working and I am stuck
Hi, I have canon hg10 camcorder and only have usb cable and I connected to the pc window xp. it did not recognize. I don’t know what to do.
hallow i just want to adit my dvd from canon hd vidio camera i don’t knw what to do will you please help me step by step i want tojoin it fistadd som e mucis oc it and burn help me please with the stap i must do tank you sarah.
please help me when i’m doing it i put memory card in to my computer after that it’s give me an option eg:vidio photo somthing tha thing is i don’t knw which one to select help