Troubleshooting: AVCHD and Mac OS X

Final Cut Pro: Unexpected Quit during AVCHD transfer.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=306922

Issue
Final Cut Pro 6 may unexpectedly quit when attempting to transfer AVCHD media, if the third-party Perian QuickTime component is installed.

Products affected

Final Cut Pro 6.x

Perian

Solution
Check to see if the Perian QuickTime component is installed:
/Library/QuickTime/Perian.component

Drag the component to the Desktop or to the Trash, and test for the issue.

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iMovie does not see Sony AVCHD camcorder videos.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=305919

When the Sony HDR-SR1, HDR-SR7 and HDR-SX7 cameras contain both HD (AVCHD) and SD (MPEG-2) content, iMovie ’08 will be able to import the SD (MPEG-2) content. However, to import the HD (AVCHD) content to an Intel Mac, you must first erase the SD (MPEG-2) content on the camera.

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iMovie ’08: Previewing footage when importing may not work when filming footage in “Pre-Record Mode” on some camcorders
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1148

Symptoms
Some camcorders have a new Pre-Record function which, when enabled, continuously records several seconds of images into an internal buffer memory which helps capture sudden shooting opportunities. Enabling that mode, however, may cause not being able to preview footage while importing in iMovie ’08.

Camcorders known to have this option include:

Panasonic HDC-SX5 AVCHD DVD
Panasonic HDC-SD5 AVCHD Flash Memory

Products Affected
iMovie 7.0

Resolution
Do not use of the Pre-Record function on your camcorder while capturing footage if you want to preview captured footage when importing.

Note: If you capture footage with the Pre-Record function enabled, you can still play back and edit your footage in iMovie ’08 once it has been imported.