Tag: iMovie

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Panasonic HDC-SD9: The Trouble with Mac OS X

UPDATE (2008.04.11):
I finally get it to work with Final Cut Pro!!! just search for HDC-SD9 on this blog.

Panasonic HDC-SD9 is capable recording video in 1080p and 24 mode. This is one great feature on a compact camcorder. The quality of the video is amazing.

Unfortunately for Mac users, this camcorder is not fully compatible with iMovie ’08, Final Cut Express 4, and Final Cut Pro 6. The three applications crash during playback or import of videos recorded in non-“24p Digital Cinema” mode. When the “24p Digital Cinema” mode is turned on, iMovie ’08, Final Cut Express 4, and Final Cut Pro 6 can playback and import the recorded video. Even though the three applications can play and import the video, some problems persist.

To illustrate the problems, please check-out the following videos. Both videos were recorded at the same time, one is using Panasonic HDC-SD5 and the other is using Panasonic HDC-SD9. You’ll see how the HDC-SD9 video is playing faster than the actual recording.

Both videos are resized to 960×540 resolutions. This is done due to the sheer monstrosity of the 1920×1080 file size. QuickTime 7 is required for proper playback.

Recorded Using Panasonic HDC-SD5
Panasonic HDC-SD5 Recording (H.264 13.2MB)

Recorded using Panasonic HDC-SD9
Panasonic HDC-SD9 Recording (H.264 9.2MB)

The imported video plays faster while the audio plays at normal speed. Somehow the video and audio go out of sync during the import. By default iMovie ’08 transcoded the AVCHD video to Apple Intermediate Codec, while Final Cut Pro transcoded the AVCHD video to Apple ProRes 422. I will try importing the AVCHD video to another format using Final Cut Pro later.

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note: I blame Carrie for making me re-learn “Greensleeves“

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Panasonic HDC-SD9: Video Mode

Panasonic HDC-SD9 is capable of recording video in 1080p/24p mode. Mac users find out that iMovie ’08, Final Cut Express 4, and Final Cut Pro 6 are unable to read/import videos from HDC-SD9 that are not recorded in 24p mode.

UPDATE:
Currently iMovie ’08, Final Cut Express 4, and Final Cut Pro 6 do not transcode AVCHD video correctly. The video is faster than the audio.
More info here.

To enable the highest quality recording and 24p mode, go to the “video” menu, and set the followings:

  • REC MODE: HA1920
  • 24pDIGITAL CINEMA: ON

By selecting those options, the HDC-SD9 camera will be recording in 1080p and 24p mode. In addition to that, Mac users can import the videos to iMovie ’08, Final Cut Express 4, or Final Cut Pro 6.

UPDATE:
For some reasons, Final Cut Pro imported the video and speed it up a little bit. One video runs about 40 seconds, while the imported video runs about 28 seconds. It is clear that Final Cut Pro does not fully understand the recording mode from this camera.

Panasonic HDC-SD9: Recording Mode
HDC-SD5 (left) vs. HDC-SD9 (right)

Panasonic HDC-SD9: 24p Digital Cinema mode
HDC-SD9 24p Digital Cinema mode turned on

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Panasonic HDC-SD9: Video Sample

UPDATE:
Panasonic HDC-SD9: The Trouble with Mac OS X

Another video, with audio intact. Imported using Final Cut Pro 6.0.2.
Panasonic HDC-SD9 Screen Capture

Panasonic HDC-SD9 video sample:

  • Recording Mode: HA1920
  • 24p Digital Cinema mode
  • Imported using Final Cut Pro 6.0.2
  • H.264 @ 1920 x 1080
  • 10.80 mbits/s
  • 27 seconds
  • 35.4 MB
  • Done on 15-inch MacBook Pro Core Duo 2.0GHz, Mac OS X Leopard 10.5.2

Final Cut Pro is having trouble playing/importing when the video is recorded with “24p Digital Cinema” mode turned off.

UPDATE:
For some reasons, Final Cut Pro imported the video and speed it up a little bit. The original video runs about 40 seconds, while the imported video runs about 28 seconds. It is clear that Final Cut Pro does not fully understand the recording mode from this camera.

WARNING! THIS MOVIE FILE MIGHT NOT PLAY IN YOUR BROWSER DUE TO ITS RESOLUTIONS.
Right-click, then save as. Because it is going to take a long time to buffer.

Meatloaf T. Cat in 1080/24p

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Panasonic HDC-SD9 and Mac OS X

UPDATE(two):
For some reasons, Final Cut Pro imported the video and speed it up a little bit. One video runs about 40 seconds, while the imported video runs about 28 seconds. It is clear that Final Cut Pro does not fully understand the recording mode from this camera.

UPDATE(one):
iMovie ’08, Final Cut Express 4, and Final Cut 6 can not handle videos recorded in NON-24p mode. It is not clear why. Personally I am getting this camcorder because it has the 24p mode.

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It seems that Apple has to play some catch-up with the newer AVCHD camcorders. The latest offering from Panasonic, the HDC-SD9 AVCHD camcorder is not fully compatible yet with iMovie ’08, Final Cut Express 4, and Final Cut Pro 6.

The video clip recorded using Panasonic HDC-SD9 will crash the Mac OS X apps during playback or video imports. Apple is surely working on updates for tehir applications so they can handle new AVCHD camcorders.

Some users has been posting their experiences with Panasonic HDC-SD9 on Apple Discussions Board (check them out here).

I will be posting more regarding this.

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Aperture 2, iLife Support 8.2 and AppleTV Take 2

Apple releases Aperture 2, iLife Support 8.2, and AppleTV Take 2 software upgrade today. Alas, no new MacBook Pro today!

Introducing Aperture 2

Aperture 2
Aperture 2 is a major upgrade to Apple’s professional digital photo management. Apple is touting 100+ new feature in Aperture 2. Free trial for 30 days is available.

Aperture Compatibility Checker

iLife Support 8.2 – 9.7MB
This update supports system software components shared by all iLife ’08 applications to improve their stability and performance.
For Mac OS X 10.4.9 or later with iLife ’08 installed.

AppleTV Take 2
Apple has finally released Apple TV Take 2 software upgrade today. This upgrade enables amongst other the movie rental feature, and the “independence” from a computer. Watch AppleTV guided tour here.
(I don’t have AppleTV, so can’t really tell you anything else.)

New MacBook Pro
Still no new MacBook Pro. My imaginary source has gone quiet except with one little note. “It’s coming soon, be patient!”
I want it now!

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Meatloaf T. Cat and Panasonic HDC-SD5 AVCHD Camcorder

I would like to share a short video clip of Meatloaf T. Cat, taken using Panasonic HDC-SD5 AVCHD Camcorder.

One minute and a half in the life of Meatloaf T. CatVideo info:

  • H.264 at 960×540 resolution.
  • 3890.41 kbps data rate.
  • 29.97 frame-rate.
  • 1 minute and 30 seconds.
  • 41.9MB file size.

Other info:

Check out other AVCHD Camcorder video clips here:
http://37prime.com/blog/?s=avchd

AVCHD Camcorders I have used: