New inexpensive Sony, 1920x1080 60p • 24Mbps

Terry_Lasater said:
Just got the camera and, like many of us, stuck in a card, turned it on, and started shooting a test clip. Well, I did have to set the language, date/time, etc first. Anyhow, I hooked it up to my MacBook Pro and it recognized the camera, but I can't seem to find the clip I recorded; lots of nested folders. I can't seem to find anything about downloading images/videos in the instruction booklet. Much more complicated than my 7D lol.

I can watch the clip on the camera. I stuck the CD in my computer to see if there is software I need but there doesn't appear to be from what I can tell. Is there anyone who identifies with my situation that might be able to steer me in the right direction?

Thanks in advance.
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I'm on a PC Terry....but this ~may~ help? I just copy the folder structure over, you'll find that the "stream" folder (I think off the top of my head) is where the vids actually are. BTW, I'm pretty sure that it's standard AVCHD folder structure? Either way, CS5 has no probs with those vids from there at all. Not sure about Final Cut. So....try to copy the folder structure over, or just that folder and go from there.

I'm not sure this helps, but I'm sure that once you know it will help out other Apple users. :)
 
Terry_Lasater said:
Just got the camera and, like many of us, stuck in a card, turned it on, and started shooting a test clip. Well, I did have to set the language, date/time, etc first. Anyhow, I hooked it up to my MacBook Pro and it recognized the camera, but I can't seem to find the clip I recorded; lots of nested folders. I can't seem to find anything about downloading images/videos in the instruction booklet. Much more complicated than my 7D lol.

I can watch the clip on the camera. I stuck the CD in my computer to see if there is software I need but there doesn't appear to be from what I can tell. Is there anyone who identifies with my situation that might be able to steer me in the right direction?

Thanks in advance.
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FYI Terry.

iMovie '08 and later: Sony AVCHD 2011-model video cameras require Mac OS X v10.6.7

http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3720

File structure for AVCHD here: (I was right, this is standard AVCHD folder structure)

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3c/AVCHD_actual_file_structure.svg/1000px-AVCHD_actual_file_structure.svg.png


I'll keep looking for Apple specific help. (I don't own one so I can't do the hands-on help....sorry)


 
The SD90 has excellent stabilization - it is very feasible to handhold this camera at quite long zooms. Much better than my HMC40 and GH2. I can't say how it compares to the HX9, however Sony typically has class-leading stabilization.

Terry, your raw video footage is the .mts files, within the STREAM folder, several levels down within the PRIVATE folder. On a PC, Premiere CS5, Cineform etc will edit/transcode them happily with or without the surrounding folder structures.
 
Thanks for all your help, HHL! Much appreciated. Until now, I'd managed not to use an AVC file camera so I'm just fumbling my way through the education process. I finally found the MTS files; they were buried within the folder structure. There are three volumes that appear on my MacBook Pro when connecting the camera: Two named "NO NAME" and one named "PMBPORTABLE". The MTS files were found buried in the second "NO NAME" volume. The path was NO NAME/PRIVATE/AVC HD/BDMV/STREAM.
 
Terry_Lasater said:
Thanks for all your help, HHL! Much appreciated. Until now, I'd managed not to use an AVC file camera so I'm just fumbling my way through the education process. I finally found the MTS files; they were buried within the folder structure. There are three volumes that appear on my MacBook Pro when connecting the camera: Two named "NO NAME" and one named "PMBPORTABLE". The MTS files were found buried in the second "NO NAME" volume. The path was NO NAME/PRIVATE/AVC HD/BDMV/STREAM.
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You are MOST welcome, Terry. I look forward to seeing some of your footy.

BTW...remember to shoot at -2 exposure on your HX9. :)
It will look WAY too dark on the screen, but once you color correct and bring up the mids, that's where the magic happens. :)

Cheers Buddy!
 
Just imported the test clip into Final Cut. Yikes! Its butt-ugly! Terrible compression with mosaic o'plenty. Obviously, I need to learn the workflow.
 
Terry_Lasater said:
Just imported the test clip into Final Cut. Yikes! Its butt-ugly! Terrible compression with mosaic o'plenty. Obviously, I need to learn the workflow.
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I'm pretty sure this is a Mac user. He has a refined workflow for you. Here's his video: http://vimeo.com/26881036

Here's what he says on that video page on Vimeo:

Le Prieuré is owned by the commune of Saint-Philbert-sur-Risle in Normandy, France and is a splendid example of old Normandy "maison à colombages" along with the church as the central focal point of the village. It was damaged during the 2nd World War but it has been restored.

This is my second try using the Sony HX9V. My first short "Shadow of the forge" vimeo.com/​26510029 was shot using MP4 25p.

This time I have used AVCHD 50p, then used Aunsoft "First Mate" to convert the .MTS files to H264 for editing in Final Cut Pro X. MTS files cannot be natively read in FCPX.

I am much happier with the result. The image is much cleaner; I cannot see any aliasing or moire in this footage. At the absolute long end of the zoom there is still some slight wobble even mounted on a tripod and 701 fluid head.

​
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Maybe contact him on Vimeo if you have additional questions about his AVCHD/(HX9)/Apple workflow?
 
OK. This is the one area that I think compact cameras like the HX9 are truly going to SHINE! The image stabilization in the HX9 is truly stellar. The size is extremely small for 1080/60P. This makes for some incredible footage once it is mounted to a remote control air plane. I have watched other videos like this before, but what strikes me as a significant advance is the image stabilization. Although this is clearly a first attempt, it looks like a very bright future for the HX9 for aerial videography! Enjoy!

 
GrahamH said:
The SD90 has excellent stabilization - it is very feasible to handhold this camera at quite long zooms. Much better than my HMC40 and GH2. I can't say how it compares to the HX9, however Sony typically has class-leading stabilization. .
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Thanks for that encouraging comment re SD90 stabilisation. I'd better check some more sample videos from both cameras to help me decide.
 
Terry, which version of final cut are you on? Panasonic is supposed to have a fix soon, but for now (unless you're in FCPX) you'll need to convert the footage in FCP or Toast if you have it.

You'll need to transfer over that ENTIRE "Private" folder onto your drive. The structure needs to be exactly the same. Then, that folder needs to be in the root section of your drive, and not in another folder or FCP won't be able to find it. You can always move it into another folder after we've converted the footage.

Open FCP, go to "file">Log and Transfer. A large window opens up and it should automatically find all your clips. Click on them, press "add to queue" and they'll start converting to apple prorez. Which, by the way, takes up a LOT of space. Once it's finished, you can move/delete that original "private" folder. You're clips are now saved in whatever settings FCP is set up for as the "capture scratch".
 
Thanks, Ryan! I'll give that a try this evening. I downloaded a few trial versions of apps (MTS Converter, Aimersoft Video Converter) and they seemed to work, but they were extremely slow. I guess that is what I have to look forward to.

My current setup:
FCP 7.0.3
MacBook Pro (w/SSD)
Mac OS X version 10.6.8
2.2 Ghz Intel Core i7
8GB 1333 MHz DDR3

Also, I have Toast Titanium but didn't realize that was a conversion solution.
 
Yeah, with toast, you can just open the .mts files directly and don't need the entire private folder. I think it's under a tab/window called "convert". Then drag and drop in your mts files, and when you're changing settings, you want "apple prorezz 422". Not the prorezz 422 HQ. The higher quality makes your files larger, but won't make any noticeable difference with these cams.

As you guys can see, I've been keeping an eye on this thread... just from the shadows ;) I'm really intrigued with the option of having [relatively speaking] excellent quality video in my pocket at all times. May be a new toy soon

EDIT: I haven't found any good converters other than toast and FCP itself for the mac and .mts files. And neither has anyone else using this thing we like to call the "internet"... believe me, we've all searched.
 
As you guys can see, I've been keeping an eye on this thread... just from the shadows ;) I'm really intrigued with the option of having [relatively speaking] excellent quality video in my pocket at all times. May be a new toy soon
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Freakin Awesome ryan! The more the merrier. I've already posted this, but I MUST post again because it is the BEST example of what this cam can do in the right hands. This is what is waiting for you.... There are some shots in here that FREAK ME OUT, as far as being a camera that was sitting in this guy's pocket. THE BEST EXAMPLE of "PocketCinematography". DANG! SWEET!



EDIT: I haven't found any good converters other than toast and FCP itself for the mac and .mts files. And neither has anyone else using this thing we like to call the "internet"... believe me, we've all searched.
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I genuinely feel for you Mac guys. What a bummer. On CS5, it's native footy. I don't even have to import it. I hope you find a good workflow soon.

Have you guys tried this? -> http://www.eoshd.com/content/3576/re-wrap-avchd-clips-to-quicktime-in-no-time

Supposedly "rewraps" AVCHD to Quicktime. Has anyone here tried this?
 
You guys gotta check this out man! I actually just bought a unit from CheesyCam to do EXACTLY this! Heh...the monitor method is very interesting...hmmm...

Bottom line....I think you're going to see alot more of this. Although the footy here isn't compelling, the idea is...and I do think that great footy can be captured this way. I'll let you know when I try it next week! :) Enjoy!

 
i´m on a ppc powermac running 10.4 and fcp 5 - i use toast 9 to convert and cinetools to convert the 720/60p - but i also played with voltaic and it worked well for the avchd conversion -this is for gh1 avchd but it would be the same - i couldn´t tell a difference between the two - voltaic is cheaper ...if you´re reduced to actually purchasing - but toast does more things- you can download voltaic for free and you get twenty conversions to judge for yourself

about the hx9v - since i´m also a photographer...and actually make money with photography versus video as art/fun- the hx9v, while a cool video tool, is a rather mediocre camera - i spent a while downloading alot of images and the nr is horrible - i´m hoping they give as many toys with the nex 7, i.e. large file sweep pany mode, and also improve everything else - and let´s hope they release an updated hx model soon and repair the hx9v´s terrible image quality - and i still don´t get the benefit of using this camera with a zacutofinder - it makes the camera as big, or bigger than a gh so what´s the point ? - still no holy grail imho
 
about the hx9v - since i´m also a photographer...and actually make money with photography versus video as art/fun- the hx9v, while a cool video tool, is a rather mediocre camera - i spent a while downloading alot of images and the nr is horrible - i´m hoping they give as many toys with the nex 7, i.e. large file sweep pany mode, and also improve everything else - and let´s hope they release an updated hx model soon and repair the hx9v´s terrible image quality - and i still don´t get the benefit of using this camera with a zacutofinder - it makes the camera as big, or bigger than a gh so what´s the point ? - still no holy grail imho
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I agree that the HX9 is NOT a great choice if your focus is photography. There are some VERY fun photo modes. But...that's what they are....fun. If I wanted the best pocket photocam (non-M4/3, fixed lens), I'd look at the Canon S95 and the Panny LX5. I'm sure there are other players too....but I own those two and from a PURELY photo perspective, they both DESTROY the HX9. Also true that the HX9 DESTROYS those two cams in the video dept. Finally true to say that (if photos are your primary focus), the HX9 is NOT a Holy Grail. I'd also say that if VIDEO is your thing....the HX9 isn't the Holy Grail either (that would be the Alexa or the Epic).

So what is the HX9? It is the highest performing pocket compact camera shooting video with a fixed lens for 350 dollars or under. Holy Grail? RESOUNDING NO! Best in class for video? RESOUNDING YES! :) Cheers!

ps....PLEASE let me know when a cam in this class out performs it because I will CERTAINLY BUY IT and celebrate!!!!! :)

I´m on a ppc powermac running 10.4 and fcp 5 - i use toast 9 to convert and cinetools to convert the 720/60p - but i also played with voltaic and it worked well for the avchd conversion -this is for gh1 avchd but it would be the same - i couldn´t tell a difference between the two - voltaic is cheaper ...if you´re reduced to actually purchasing - but toast does more things- you can download voltaic for free and you get twenty conversions to judge for yourself
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Thanks for that info! I'm sure it will help some of the Peeps who are struggling with the AVCHD thing. Great to know more info about that!
 
HHL - I already have 20 cameras and two kids. That formula means that I wait for the best camera , for the money, at the moment a significant stride is made. The highres sweep panoramic mode on the sony´s is amazing and imho is the only reason I see to get the hx9 . And I´m waiting to see if they implement it on the new cameras. But since the sony isn´t a true compact camera and it´s really stretching it to get into a pocket....comfortably, then I´d rather have my gh1 with me at the moment ....since it´s got to be shoulderstrapped anyway, and for me, the gh1 does both video and photography really pretty good. With video, I don´t have any transfertofilm dreams so even the unhacked gh1 is way better than where I´ve been.

But your wish will be granted ....sooner or later . Sony could probably do it now if they listened. All it takes is they return to a 1/1.8 sensor like the f717 with a lower pixel count , and then put that into a new image engine. And for truly pocketable ....I´m interested in where the s95 is going as well.
 
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