Any problems with Panasonic SD700 file compatibility in X4?

[altzone]

Hi
Looking to upgrade my Sanyo Xacti HD-1010 to a Panasonic HDC-SD700 and wondering if anyone has had any problems with file compatibility in X4?
I edit the MP4 files direct from the camera, I don't want to convert them before editing.
I have heard the camera generates .mts fis e or something? (perhaps only in top quality mode, standard H.264 .MP4 in lower bit rate modes?).
I'm looking at working with the 9 or 13Mbps mode.

Thanks
Dave.

[Black Lab]

There have been some audio problems reported with Panasonic cameras. You may want to do a search for "Panasonic audio" to check it out.

[teknisyan]

Hello Dave,

Regarding the file compatibility of VS X4 to the video created on Panasonic HDC-SD700. I've checked the camera's specs from http://pnoy.me/5, and here's what I got.

Recording Format 1080 / 50p : MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 (original format), HA / HG / HX / HE : MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 (AVCHD standard compliant)

Here's the Output Format Support of VS X4: AVI, MPEG-2, AVCHD, MPEG-4, H.264, BDMV, HDV, QuickTime, RealVideo, Windows Media Format, 3GPP, 3GPP2, FLV

and checking the output file format that VS X4 supported, it appears that there won't be any problem. Of course, I check on Black Labs' suggestion in checking "Panasonic audio" issue.

If you already bought the Panasonic HDC-SD700 and want to test out VS X4, then you can download the trial via corel.com/trials.

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi

There is an issue regarding an extra frame/s being visible when viewed with Video Studio

Please see this post:-
http://forum.corel.com/EN/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=39328

Abiel

I do not use HD but have several sample videos from forum users all show this problem, not owning a Panasonic 700 series camera I do not feel I can approach Corel Support. However I do think it is a genuine problem, can you help?
Interestingly the extra frames don’t show in other editors/players, it appears to be only Video Studio.

Dave
I to was thinking of upgrading to the 700 series camera but this problem has put that on hold, although I was thinking of HDV types, I just don’t know which way to jump………….DV-Tapes or memory card

[Ken Berry]

Trevor -- FWIW, I still swear by HDV camcorders. The end quality is (at least) as good as AVCHD. But above all other considerations, it is just so easily editable even on older Pentium IV computers. It is just nowhere near as demanding as AVCHD. And the continuing and manifold problems so many users still have with AVCHd -- and I am not just talking about this in connection with Corel products, but more widely -- should logically keep seasoned video editors away from AVCHD...

There are some practical downsides to HDV which I am sure will be trotted out. For me, the worst is that where I am now located in the world, it has become almost impossible to find new mini DV tapes, though I can order them over the internet. The other problem (for others, not me) is that HDV, like DV, has to be transferred to your computer via Firewire in real time. In fact, I see this as a minor price to pay for the subsequent ease of editing. Even more to the point, as with my DV days, I actually sit and watch the whole transfer process as it gives me a good initial idea of what edits I will need to do to which parts. At the very least, it refreshes my mind about exactly what I filmed...

One other 'defect' which is also touted by critics of HDV camcorders is that they are larger than their AVCHD equivalents. That is true, but again I don't personally see it as necessarily being a defect. I have a slightly older mpeg-4 SD camcorder which is the same size as many of the newer AVCHD models which can slip easily into a shirt pocket. But frankly, I have difficulty just holding, let alone effectively filming, with something so small, even if it has a good stabilisation mechanism built in. I frankly prefer the tangible stability which holding a larger camcorder gives.

[wstagner]

I have a panasonic TM700....it generates mts files.
I copy them from an SD card to one of my hard drives before editing.
I use the lowest RES setting for the cam. Thus far, I've had no trouble with X3 or X4.

[wstagner]

Dave, if you'd like to ask me a specific question or testing something specific, just ask.

Walt

[bstuartb]

I have the Panasonic SD700 camera and I use it on its default setting 1080x1920i 16800kbps

Reading the m2ts clips into the computer is wonderfully fast and the video is brilliant. I chose the camera because I insisted on having an eye level viewfinder.

Editing works well for me, and AVCHD files can be made that play on Bluray.

There is a problem making AVCHD authored disks with VSPro4X unless you let it re-render everything- this problem needs sorting as it is a great shame to re-render if it can be avoided - the camera has done such an excellent job already. There was a problem doing anything in VSPro3X, and to avoid it use Panasonic's free HDWriter s/w to join all your camera clips together, then import the joined-up m2ts file into VSPro. Trim off the first2 or 3 frames and then it will be OK.

I waited a long time before upgrading to HD. The SD memory cards are a colossal improvement over tape, and whirring tape drives.

one 16Gb card stores over 2 hours of full HD. We might as well accept that AVCHD is going to dominate HD and the s/w companies are going to have to get with it.