Mac Marginalization On Essential Panasonic Utilities

David Saraceno

David Saraceno

Moderator
Staff member
This is not meant to flame Panasonic and the great contributions of Jan here.

What I am asking is for feedback on bringing parity between Windows and Mac users regarding essential HMC150 relevant applications released by Panasonic.

The recently released HMC150 firmware update, as far as I can determine, requires a PC to install. This departs from the use of SD cards for firmware updates for the HVX200 and HPX170.

Mac users also do not have a Mac compatible AVCHD Viewer or AVCHD to p2 Utility.

How do Mac and PC users feel about platform parity when releasing these utilities?

Please no flaming anyone or anything, but just some thoughtful feedback.

Panasonic tends to listen to its user base -- in fact the HPX300 is a clear example of that.

I just wonder why this doesn't translate to those of us here that own a HMC150, contribute here, and recommend it to others and are Mac users.

best
 
I assume then, Estebe, that you use Boot Camp and can tell us all how well it works. I'd like to hear your experiences with it.
 
It does appear that the HMC150 firmware update requires a Windows computer to execute.

It's disappointing that Panasonic doesn't provide comparable tools simultaneously for both Windows and Mac.

Come on, Panasonic, this is just silly. You know how many of your customers use the Mac, and you've shown that you can release Mac software (like P2CMS). So why isn't there a Mac version of the Viewer or format converter? And, more importantly, why isn't there a Mac version of the firmware updater utility?

Now, with that said: we can hope that it will change, and we can ask that it change. But after three years of this disparity, waiting for it to change seems like a bad business move.

It'd probably be prudent to either install BootCamp/Windows on one of your Intel Macs and always have a solution available to you, or make friends with someone who has a Windows computer and who will let you run the firmware update utility.

The old saying goes something like "There's the way things should be, and there's the way things IS." The other saying that applies here is probably "hope for the best, prepare for the worst." I would advise any Mac users here to ask for parity, but not to hold their breath waiting for it. Bootcamp/Windows would seem like a pretty wise investment at this point.
 
stephenmick said:
I assume then, Estebe, that you use Boot Camp and can tell us all how well it works. I'd like to hear your experiences with it.
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Yes.

It works flawlessly.

I much prefer Bootcamp over any emulator.

Bootcamp allows you to dual boot so when you are running Windows Xp or Vista you are running it natively.
 
Barry_Green said:
It'd probably be prudent to either install BootCamp/Windows on one of your Intel Macs and always have a solution available to you, or make friends with someone who has a Windows computer and who will let you run the firmware update utility.
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For those on the fence about doing this. The reality is, its not really hard to do. Just follow the instructions and allow for the time to do it - couple of hours.

Not saying its the answer to Davids topic, but just want to say if I could do it - well it cant be too difficult.
 
Barry_Green said:
It does appear that the HMC150 firmware update requires a Windows computer to execute.

It's disappointing that Panasonic doesn't provide comparable tools simultaneously for both Windows and Mac.

Come on, Panasonic, this is just silly. You know how many of your customers use the Mac, and you've shown that you can release Mac software (like P2CMS). So why isn't there a Mac version of the Viewer or format converter? And, more importantly, why isn't there a Mac version of the firmware updater utility?

Now, with that said: we can hope that it will change, and we can ask that it change. But after three years of this disparity, waiting for it to change seems like a bad business move.

It'd probably be prudent to either install BootCamp/Windows on one of your Intel Macs and always have a solution available to you, or make friends with someone who has a Windows computer and who will let you run the firmware update utility.

The old saying goes something like "There's the way things should be, and there's the way things IS." The other saying that applies here is probably "hope for the best, prepare for the worst." I would advise any Mac users here to ask for parity, but not to hold their breath waiting for it. Bootcamp/Windows would seem like a pretty wise investment at this point.
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Thanks for the thoughts.

Pretty much mine as well.

I guess I don't understand that part of the business model by the company
 
David, Thanks for bringing this up. First off... what upgrades and or fixes or stability issues does the firmware solve or resolve.. and make it worth doing?


2nd. This has been stated and re-stated for years. I think that on one poll, more than 50 percent of the HVX users were Mac people.. and I'm sure that this is the same for the 150. They do need to get onboard with this and not alienate a core of it's audience.


3rd. Maybe as I've stated in the past, their relucatance to provide Mac software is due in part to Panasonic making computers. Kind of a similar policy that Sony has adopted and follows rather blindly, I might add.


This forum has been a great resource to both us as members, but also to Panasonic and other manufacturers. If David and myself and others are a bit pissed about this, then it does kind of make things a bit less appealing when considering Panny stuff in the future... as our only real recourse is to show our vote with spending money elsewhere.

That being said, if I were a windows user and a company only produced support apps for the Mac, I'd be pissed there. It's albout making things different but equal.... Rant off.
 
It does stink that Mac is still in the back seat!

IMO it's the SW developers that are deciding Mac user fates.

Unfortunately Mac isn't helping, nor making real gains since OSX hit the market 10 years ago! But have slowly declined.

And these days, I wait until the next OS release is scheduled before I'll even think about updating to the predecessor!

They've targeted the entertainment field instead of breaking any new ground w/ their desktops. And the OS that was "supposed" to be invisible is turning into a bell & whistle laden, memory grabbing hog(see: Windows)!

To top it off I waited and ordered a Mac Pro the month they were released... and got a G5 from them!! I didn't fight it, but seeing what Intel has meant to performance, and developers I should've sent it back!!

Don't get me wrong! I work all day on a Mac (if I get The Choice!) and I'm writing this on one NOW!

It just seems the "vision" has gotten, well...blurry eyed, in favor of "gadgets"!
 
ron.. you are right there but I also think that the "halo" effect of ipods and iphones has made so many windows people switch... not really to the desktops, but to the laptops. I have to laugh now when I whip out my laptop and half the place is on Macs.. where as in years passed I'd be the lone voice or it seemed that way. Now, the status symbol is alive and well and Yuppie types are all over the Macs. Just try and walk into a Starbucks and or an airport and walk through it without finding a Mac or an iphone in use.. kind of like trying to find a skinny emo kid without tatoo sleaves... lol


Either way.... in the 90's Apple was almost ready to shut down and I remember that horrible experiment they had with the clones and the newton and other such disasters. They are one of hte only computer companies really doing record profits.. expanding stores and hiring new people. I wouldn't really want to be a windows compatible computer...
 
Ron:

Thanks for the thoughts.

I'm not fighting a platform war, and I'm not suggesting you are. I just would like the same tools that Panasonic provides its PC users.

What I and others are emphasizing to Panasonic is that a bunch of us have spent a bunch of money buying, using, and recommending professional Panasonic video products. And we use Macs

My educated guess is that most of us insofar as the HVX/HPX/HMC products offerings are Mac based.

This isn't an OS X issue.

It's an invitation for Panasonic to bring parity to its user base in a timely manner with essential utilities.

But as one of many, many Mac users here and elsewhere, it is mystifying how marginalized I feel when a firmware update is PC only.

I wonder about the response if this firmware was only to be installable using Mac computers.

best
 
Sounds off and bring it brother.... and while y ou are at it, maybe apple needts to make things native file receptive.. let's edit this AVCHD natively...
 
I couldn't agree with you more Justyn.

Apple needs at the very least, native AVCHD editing capabilities.

AVCHD, and AVCIntra are where video seems to be moving. Efficient beautiful codecs.
 
Hi all,
Just checking does the latest update for fcp 6.0.5 , enable fcp to work on avchd native and edit on pro res 422 codec.
 
Thanks! I hear you brothers. Standing together may help! They (whoever "they" are) need to know we aren't happy, or going away.

We should have a "Mac Alert" like yours David, so we can know, and act on these issues together.

I'm a classic car buff, and remember in the early 90's Ford was going to abandoned the Mustang because of poor sales! A hand full of Mustang clubs got Ford to reverse it's decision by demonstrating, organizing and writing letters!! The rest is, as they History! Ford's Mustang is it's BIGGEST all time seller besides the F150!

Even a small voice can speak reason. Amen!
 
Can someone point Jan from Panasonic to this thread? (Ex-PC, present Mac user—three in the studio-household).

Compared to the office environment, the proportion of Mac users in the audio-visual world is higher, and I definitely expect updates and utilities to be both platforms.
 
David S. said:
My educated guess is that most of us insofar as the HVX/HPX/HMC products offerings are Mac based.

It's an invitation for Panasonic to bring parity to its user base in a timely manner with essential utilities.

But as one of many, many Mac users here and elsewhere, it is mystifying how marginalized I feel when a firmware update is PC only.

I wonder about the response if this firmware was only to be installable using Mac computers.

best
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Interesting discussion. Currently, Macs comprise less than 8% (some estimates have it as low as 3.5%) of the personal computer market share, with PCs comprising nearly 91%.

Now I realize that this is skewed in terms of video work, but I would hazard a guess that PCs still outnumber Macs 2:1 if not more. I guess I can see feeling marginalized, but on the surface, one could say Macs in general get a disproportionate amount of attention when compared to their market share.

In terms of how we'd feel if firmware updates were mac only? I can honestly say that it is a HELL of a lot easier to find a buddy with a PC or Windows laptop, than a Mac anything. We also have no Bootcamp option. Apple is the industry KING of locking PC folks out from sharing and collaborating with Mac people. Perhaps if that corporate culture changed, things would be easier.
 
Regardless of what the numbers are in the rest of the world, Macs are OVER-represented in the video/film world and Panasonic should support them.
 
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