Can't get files off rented Panasonic HMC 150!

LeslieD wrote on 5/19/2009, 5:00 PM
I rented a Panasonic HMC 150 to try it out for an event this weekend. After I got it in the mail today, I tried it out and then tried getting the files off of it. I am running Vegas 8 on a completely underpowered computer, but was told that you can edit AVCHD on an underpowered computer...it'll just make you pull your hair out! I just want to get the files on my computer...I'm not in a time crunch to edit them. I can even get a new computer before I edit them. But I have to send the rented camera back. Any help you can give me is appreciated!

Leslie

Comments

kairosmatt wrote on 5/19/2009, 5:05 PM
Just go one myself, but reading the instructions it seems like it runs the same as an HVX.

Connect the camera to the computer via USB and turn it on.

On the back of the camera press the mode button so it goes into PB mode.

Then hold down the mode button till it goes into PC mode.

Should show up as another drive under My Computer.

Also, you could just take the SD card out and plug it into an SD card reader if you have one.

kairosmatt
stopint wrote on 5/19/2009, 6:09 PM
that's what i do with my hmc150...take the sd card out and put it in a card reader and then just drag the files onto an external drive...then edit in vegas...my computer is nothing special and avchd edits fine...but i do use an external drive...that's a must...
newhope wrote on 5/20/2009, 6:36 AM
Basically the same here. I have an SDHC card reader and copy the entire card volume structure into a new folder on a hard drive, external or internal doesn't seem to matter though I wouldn't advise a USB connected drive for replay and editing.

You can also download AVCCAM software from the Panasonic website to allow you to preview and transfer files without Vegas.

rdolishny wrote on 5/21/2009, 7:28 AM
I just rented the camera too and tried (foolishly) to edit the AVHCD files once I used the USB cable to copy the entire file structure ... big mistake.

The guys at VASST suggested I try Upshift as opposed to the Vegas Gearshift plugin because a lot of my footage was shot 60P and the Gearshift demo didn't recognize it. I will concede my computer may just not be powerful enough to even render out AVHCD to a proxy format. But Upshift worked perfectly and frankly looks pretty good so far.

I also could NOT get the free Panasonic conversion utility to recognize the 60P footage, which I found really strange.

So again import the entire PRIVATE structure into a unique folder on your local drive, then use a product like Upshift to generate an MPG2 file that looks pretty hot.
ingvarai wrote on 5/21/2009, 7:38 AM
You can also download AVCCAM software from the Panasonic website to allow you to preview and transfer files without Vegas

I will not stop wondering why they use an antique installer for a product marketed with an almost brand new camera. The installer has the blue velvet gradient background that was popular in 1994. And it complains about the OS if you have Vista 64 bit, telling you that the software you are about to install is not compatible with your OS.
Well, ignore this message, install, and the software functions on Vista 64, no problem.

AVCCAM is so unser-unfriendly that I uninstalled it. Imagine, this fantastic camera and they have such a mediocre software to preview the video clips..

ingvarai
newhope wrote on 5/21/2009, 6:29 PM
Imagine, this fantastic camera and they have such a mediocre software to preview the video clips..

No argument from me on your thoughts about AVCCAM Viewer. I avoid it at all costs if I can, but I'm also avoiding AVCHD in Vegas and editing it in FCP where I can preview, log and name the files prior to import and conversion to Apple ProRes 422 happens in faster than realtime on import.

I'd love to be able to edit the native AVCHD in Vegas but even my Mac Pro won't replay them successfully when booted in XP via bootcamp.

If I have to convert them, and I have Gearshift, I prefer the speed and ease of FCP even if I generally like Vegas as a video editing program more.