Camcorder and video editing Frequently Asked Questions

ic1male

I have produced several movies without trouble but last night I took a dagger to the heart. I have been editing a movie for two weeks, saving, closing down and opening up without a problem. Last night I had 15 more minutes to do and then  I'd burn it to DVD.  Alas, I took time out watching England play what they regard as "football". When I called up my movie again I was told:  "Your project file is not readable." Why not? I have found I can watch it on QuickTime Player but why
can't I get back to editing it in iMovie?  Most grateful for any suggestion, it's iMovie 4.01 and  Mac 10.3.9. Thankyou. [email protected]

senu

Questions about HDD camcorders:

How is the video stored on the hard disk, i.e. what format?
Can the video be edited by the normal software like Adobe Premiere, Apple Final Cut?
Can you simply connect the camcorder and drag 'n' drop the video using Windows explorer?

Thanks.

senu

Questions about HDD camcorders:

How is the video stored on the hard disk, i.e. what format?

For standard definition Mpeg2.. for High Def : AVCHD ( Mpeg4 . H.264) (In an Mpeg2 transport stream called HDMV)


Can the video be edited by the normal software like Adobe Premiere, Apple Final Cut?
That would depend : SD video certainly can.
AVCHD support is emerging Currently Ulead VS 11, Pinnacle Studio 11, Sony Vegas 7.0e ( Sony Camcorders only)
Can you simply connect the camcorder and drag 'n' drop the video using Windows explorer?
This is camcorder dependent. Most will be seen in Windows as mass storage devices supporting drag and drop, others may need drivers. Mac support ( for HD) is currently non existent

senu

Some updates:

>Can the video be edited by the normal software like Adobe Premiere, Apple Final Cut?

I don't think above software is capable of AVCHD now. But the new sony vegas studio platinum 8.0 can import AVCHD perfectly.

>Can you simply connect the camcorder and drag 'n' drop the video using Windows explorer?

You can DnD the video file from SR7 harddrive to your PC folder, no problem. But it is not sony originally designed for, instead, they provide you with a software to do the transfer work, which I think, is much better and can keep your video well organized.

senu

Considering  DVD camcorders?
look
HERE

senu

For all you ever wanted to know about Windows Movie maker
Look no further
HERE

and
The Forums

koolpc

Timecode and firewire?
http://www.avforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=662204

senu

AVCHD issues?
http://www.avforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=681964

senu

How about updating this sticky guys?

senu

Firewire problems?
This thread is about faulty  or "fried" ports not didgy cables or improperly seated cards

http://www.avforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=476761