Panasonic NV EX3

Hi
This mini DV cam will not import I think its since ive upgaded to HD.Thye cable is fine.Its on Playback etc it will import into Final cut express! but not Imovie anymore.Any ideas why?
Dave

Hi d
So the Camera works OK with FCE - thats comforting.
- I would locate the iMovie pref file and move it to the desktop and try again.
- or even start a new account and log into this - re-try.
May be You find some help in my trouble-shoting-list:
Mac:
- hardware
◊ Slow hard disk (fragmented: repair permissions, repair hard disk, use a faster hard disk)
◊ Reset PRAM
◊ Bad RAM-chips
◊ disconnect Mac from powerline (not just switch off, really plug out) for a few minutes to reset FW ports
- software
◊ File-Vault is on - turn it off
◊ Something is occupying the CPU/System, like other programs, Internet etc.
◊ Do You have desktop pictures or screen or energy-savers active? Try turning them off.
◊ Updating - OS has to be a clean install - not an update eg from X.3.x to X.4.x (no good) OS X.4.0-5 needs a clean install to work (I use X.3.9)
◊ Updating QT and/or other updates (to 7 needs v6 to be cleaned out first) QT v.7.0.0-4 needs a clean install to work (I use 6.5.2)
◊ Have you tried the crazy fix: Open GarageBand, play a few notes, close it and reopen iMovie. The camera should import fine now. Sue/SDillini
◊ Running iDVD at the same time as iMovie can cause problems: (Lennart Thelander)
◊ If You also have installed FinalCut Express/pro there are possibly problems with this
iMovie:
◊ remove bookmarks in iMovie project
◊ Trash: com.apple.iMovie.plist and com.apple.iMovie3.plist : files (Xinram)
Connection:
◊ don’t Daisy chain Camcorder <--> external hard disk <--> Mac
◊ FW-wire cable, is it OK?
◊ USB/USB2 is NO GO !
Camera:
◊ The Camera is set to VTR ? (not as when You ”film” record with it)
◊ defective camera TRY IT ON ANOTHER MAC ! (if the A/D chip in the camera is harmed then it will say in iMovie that the camera is connected and You can forward rep. backward the tape but there will be no picture or sound just the blue screen.
◊ Cheque the menu on Your Camera so that it communicates with the FW digitally to Your Mac
◊ Date and Time is correct on Your Camera ?
Tape:
◊ Drop outs on the miniDV-tape - make a camera to camera copy on a tape which You have previous recorded with a time code (dummy recording).
◊ Break in the time-code on the miniDV tape (make a camera to camera copy on a tape which is pre-recorded with nothing/anything so that the tape has a time-code from beginning to the end)
◊ If You recorded in LP-mode (90 min on a standard 60 min tape with 12-bit sound). Try to change in iMovie pref. to import but not as individual clips. If this doesn’t work You have to make a Camera to Camera copy with the receiving Camera set to SP-mode and 16-bit sound.
More:
◊ follow advises here http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=43000
◊ follow Grandmaster Dan's advice for Sony cameras here: http://www.danslagle.com/mac/iMovie/usage/5020.shtml
Yours Bengt W

Similar Messages

Panasonic NV-EX3 now works with iMovie 2.1.1 on Intel Mac!

This has been a longstanding grumble - my perfectly good, but 8-yr-old Panasonic NV-EX3 DV-camcorder refused to connect with iMovie when I upgraded from my old eMac to my present Mac Mini.
I tried every trick I could think of to get the computer to see the cam, including copying the old iMovie 2 over, but it wouldn't run on the Mini even under Rosetta.
Anyway, I just tried it again, having upgraded to OS 10.5.6, and iMovie 2.1.1 ran fine, and immediately connected with the old camcorder.
I uploaded some video, saved it as a project, and was able to open the project with iMovie HD, so now I have a route to get video in, and the camcorder is reprieved.
I am posting it here in case anyone else has one of these old (but excellent) camcorders and wanted to keep using it.

This has been a longstanding grumble - my perfectly good, but 8-yr-old Panasonic NV-EX3 DV-camcorder refused to connect with iMovie when I upgraded from my old eMac to my present Mac Mini.
I tried every trick I could think of to get the computer to see the cam, including copying the old iMovie 2 over, but it wouldn't run on the Mini even under Rosetta.
Anyway, I just tried it again, having upgraded to OS 10.5.6, and iMovie 2.1.1 ran fine, and immediately connected with the old camcorder.
I uploaded some video, saved it as a project, and was able to open the project with iMovie HD, so now I have a route to get video in, and the camcorder is reprieved.
I am posting it here in case anyone else has one of these old (but excellent) camcorders and wanted to keep using it.

Can't connect my Panasonic NV-EX3 to new intel imac iMovie

I have an older mini DV camcorder with a i.Link (Sony's version of Firewire). It looks as though this should be fully compatible but I can't connect. It can't find the camera at all. Are there any special settings I should be using on the imac or on iMovie?
Thanks
Matt

I can understand your total frustration. But not all cameras work w/ iMovie6 (even if they once worked in the past). Seems to me that apple focuses on the latest products first (or at least tries to) and when they have time they update compatibility later for older products (depending on popularity /usage of the product). Might be a marketing approach ... I'm not sure. But I know I've run into this situation many times in the past with a small media converter box sony once made (but is no longer manufactured by sony) called a DA1 (analog to FW media converter box) ... The newer version is/was a sony DA2 which had Lanc control as well (also no longer manufactured).
The only thing I can think of that may work is the following work around:
1. Import your footage into iM4 (assuming you have it on your system already).
2. Rename the iMovie 4 folder so it doesn't get updated to the latest version.
3. Now install iM6 separately.
4. Now open the iM4 project from within iM6. The project will get updated automatically. Once you do this you won't be able to go backwards with this project but you will be able to use the magic movie option in iMovie 6....
Hope this answers your question
SDMacuser

Imovie HD with Panasonic Digital Viedeo Camera Model NV-EX3??

I'm currently using Powerbook 15" 1.67Gz with Mac OS X version 10.4.3. Now I'm trying to connect my Panasonic Dital Video Camera Model NV-EX3 through Firewire. But it didn't work at all. IMovie simply doesn't detect my camera at all. Is there any way you can explain this to me. Are there any more drivers I need to download. Please kindly assist me in finding solutions to this.
Powerbook 15" 1.67Gz PowerPC G4 Mac OS X (10.4.3) 1 GB DDR2 SDRAM

I have the same problem. Using imovie 6 on the new intel imac. trying to import/connect the Panasonic NV-EX3 doesn't work. it recognizes that something hangs on firewire but doesn't recognize the camera.
Apple says ask Panasonic, they don't do drivers. Panasonic says ask Apple, thye don't have drivers for Apple.
Me, stuck in the middle. I thought you just connect a HD camera via firewire and you are in business.
Should I sell this one on Ebay and buy one that works? Which one would that is similar? don't want to get another one and end up with the same problem and unsupportive supliers.

IMovie HD & Panasonic

Since I installed iMovie HD my Panasonic (BV-EX3) dvcam is not recognized. In iMovie 4 everything worked fine. Does anyone know how to solve this problem? I tried all advices in the help menu.
Thanks in advance.
Harry

My god, that did work!
Good!
So, is it a bug with iLife '05 or with Tiger ??
Not really. There is something else that leaves the Mac hardware (probably the audio circuits) in a state that iMovie can't handle, but GarageBand handles it. Some suspects this "something" is an application called AudaCity, but some have no problem with AudaCity and other doesn't have it at all, but have this problem.
If you ever find out what triggers the problem, post here.

Multiple disappointments with new Mac Mini

I 'upgraded' my trusty old eMac to an Intel Mac Mini running Leopard but so far I have been very disappointed.
So far;
DSL USB modem not recognised - had to be replaced.
Umax scanner not supported - will have to be replaced
All my pre-OSX software cannot be run.
iMovie7 not backwardly compatible with my iMovies - iMovie6 is the last one that will be produced that will access my video.
My Panasonic NV-EX3 video camera is not recognised, so I can't use iMovie6 anyway.
When logging out of accounts I get a spinning clock for more than a minute.
After sleep the mouse is usually frozen, sometime requiring a reboot to get it going again.
I have trawled through these discussions and found numerous people complaining about the same or very similar issues, but very few suggestions for solutions or workarounds, and the few that I have tried have done nothing for me. For example, repairing disk permissions, and unplugging power and other connections for >20 secs.
I am getting very frustrated with this - hundreds of pounds spent to end up with loads of problems, further expense and tons of stress.

Sorry to jump in at this point, but did you transfer your applications from the eMac using the migration assistant? If so, that would certainly cause the poor performance since you migrated PPC-only software to your Intel machine, meaning it'll run very poorly.
If you installed your software from disks and downloads, and used any 'non-native' versions of software, then this too will slow your system. You can check for that by opening Activity Monitor and looking for processes marked as belonging to 'Rosetta' - which is the translator included in Intel versions of MacOS to allow it to run earlier (in other words non-Intel-native) software.
Either of the above will create situations where you see the spinning beachball a lot, particularly if you're trying to do a number of things at once. Thus, what software do you have installed, where did it come from, and what are you running at any given time on the system?
It is true though that some older software (the pre OS X stuff) and legacy peripherals won't be usable, simply because it is not possible to make systems fully backwards compatible without giving up significant potential performance gains or at considerable cost. A Umax scanner that is SCSI based for example will be totally incompatible with virtually any Mac built in the last 5+ years (as I well know because I have one that I have had to throw away) but at the same time, technology has moved on in that time sufficiently that the older devices are often not much worth using anyway.
I'm not clear in what way the Panasonic camcorder doesn't work however, since I can't find much information on the subject. Typically up until iMovie 7, camcorders needed to be based on miniDV tape and have firewire connectivity. If this unit has that, it should work. iMovie 7 has far wider camcorder compatibility, and if this camcorder works with that version of the software, there is nothing to prevent you using iMovie 7 in future projects. If not, then which software were you previously using with it?
The stress and frustration is understandable, but if these problems still persist, and we can break down the process you went through to do the install and set up, and the issues that remain, much should be fixable. At the heart, the mini you have os actually very powerful and fast, even if it doesn't seem so.

DV Camera Analog Passthru control problems

Hi,
I'm fairly new to Macs but have managed to convert all my Mini DV vids to DVD using iMovie/iDVD which I'm really happy with. However, now I'm trying to get all my old Hi8 tapes done and I'm having a few problems.
I have a Sony PC101 Mini DV camera which lets you have an AV passthru from my old analog camera through the DV camera and via the firewire into the Mac. The problem is though that when I click import in iMovie it tries to play the tape in the DV camera but I need the footage from the analog camera.
I did this on my XP PC once where I told the package to not control the DV camera so I could play the analog camera and just say import and it worked.
I can't see a way of doing this in iMovie HD so any ideas? If i take the tape out of the DV camera it won't let me import as it says it needs a tape.
Help!!!

Some analog to DV converters don't work in iMovie HD 5.0.2 like they do in iMovie 4.0.1. Sad but true.
1. For example, my Sony TRV320 can convert analog video to DV in passthrough mode in iMovie 4.0.1, but not in iMovie HD 5.0.2. Reportedly neither Sony DVMC-DA1 converter's, or Sony DCR-PC110, Sony DCR-HC30E, Sony TRV-340E, Canon ZR80, Canon ZR200, Canon MV630i or Panasonic NV EX3 camcorders' analog to DV passthrough work in iMovie HD 5.0.2 like it does in iMovie 4.0.1.
2. It is also not possible to record live DV with no tape in the camcorder (i.e. the camcorder in Rec mode, so that what goes in the camcorder's lens, imports in real-time to iMovie) from a camcorder (Sony TRV320, for example) to iMovie HD 5.0.2 because iMovie complains "Camera No Tape". In iMovie 4.0.1 and BTV Pro this works OK with no tape in the camcorder.
Analog-to-DV workaround #1: Import using $20/40 BTV/BTV Pro or iMovie 4.0.1. Then import it to iMovie HD or, to save time and HD space, drop the .dv file in the Media-folder.
Analog-to-DV workaround #2: (This worked with my Sony TRV320 with iMovie HD 5.0.1 but not anymore with v5.0.2). Put a tape in the camcorder and press the camcorder's PLAY-button to play the tape in VTR mode (usually the tape must be OUT when doing analog-DV conversion!), then in iMovie hit the Import-button (so iMovie starts to import from the tape), then press the camcorder's STOP-button. iMovie should then continue importing from the analog source as usual.
http://www.sjoki.uta.fi/~shmhav/iMovieHD_bugs.html#analogDV

VHS To iMovieHD using Song D8 Camcorder, Camera Recognised but No Picture

Apologies, it's an old topic I know.
I read through a number of threads and have a few ideas but wanted to post this as well.
I'm trying to setup a friend (87yo) to capture his old VHS tapes to iMovie HD by routing the signal through a Sony Digital8 camcorder, using it as an analogue/digital bridge.
The camera does do this. No problems there.
Plugged it all together. iMovie-HD recognises the camcorder but when we playback the VHS no image appears on the iMovieHD monitor.
Tested capture to iMovieHD with a tape in the D8 and that works Ok.
As my friend also has FCP3, (but finds it too hard to use), I tested capturing using FCP3. I set the capture device to "non-controlable device". This worked without a problem. The VHS signal was passed through the D8 camera into FCP3.
Tried iMovieHD again with no results. I get the feeling iMovie MUST have timecode when capturing.
My local Apple shop io running an ad for canopus "digital video convertors" which says "import straight into iMovie for editing", which isn't quiet "capture with iMovie".
I'm curious to know if you should be able to capture directly into iMovieHD this way or do you need 3rd party capture software, to capture the clips, which can then be imported into iMovieHD.
Any assistance gratefully received.
Meanwhile I'll keep looking.

- Some analog to DV converters don't work in iMovie HD 5.0.2 like they do in iMovie 4.0.1.
1. For example, my Sony TRV320 can convert analog video to DV in passthrough mode in iMovie 4.0.1, but not in iMovie HD 5.0.2. Reportedly neither Sony DVMC-DA1 converter's, or Sony DCR-PC110, Sony DCR-HC30E, Sony TRV-340E, Canon ZR80, Canon ZR200, Canon MV630i or Panasonic NV EX3 camcorders' analog to DV passthrough work in iMovie HD 5.0.2 like it does in iMovie 4.0.1.
Analog-to-DV workaround #1: Import using $20/40 BTV/BTV Pro or iMovie 4.0.1. Then import it to iMovie HD or, to save time and HD space, drop the .dv file in the Media-folder.
Analog-to-DV workaround #2: (This worked with my Sony TRV320 with iMovie HD 5.0.1 but not anymore with v5.0.2). Put a tape in the camcorder and press the camcorder's PLAY-button to play the tape in VTR mode (usually the tape must be OUT when doing analog-DV conversion!), then in iMovie hit the Import-button (so iMovie starts to import from the tape), then press the camcorder's STOP-button. iMovie should then continue importing from the analog source as usual.
I have reported these things many rains ago to Apple... <sigh>
http://www.sjoki.uta.fi/~shmhav/iMovieHD_bugs.html#analogDV

Why is DV importing so slow?

So, I digitized about 50 of our old Video8 home videos on my iMac. iMovie doesn't support pass-through through a miniDV camera that I used so I had to use a program called Vidi to digitize each Video8 cassette into one big DV file (1 DV file per cassette of course).
Problem is that importing that big DV file into iMovie takes AAAGGEEESSSS. Why is that? It's a regular DV file that has nothing wrong with it. Any ideas?
Joshua.

The camera definately supports pass-through as I succesfully digitized almost 50 tapes using pass-through, so there's no doubt about that.
What I discovered about iMovie 6 HD was this:
(from http://www.sjoki.uta.fi/~shmhav/iMovieHD_6_bugs.html#analogDV)
Some analog to DV passthrough converters don't work in iMovie HD 6.0.2 like they do in iMovie 4.0.1
1. For example, my Sony TRV320 can convert analog video to DV in passthrough mode in iMovie 4.0.1, but not in iMovie HD 6.0.2. Reportedly the same applies at least to Canon MV6iMC, Canon MV750i, too. This is why I still have a copy of iMovie 4.0.1 installed.
The same flaw was in iMovie HD 5.0.2, too: reportedly neither Sony DVMC-DA1, Sony DCR-PC110, Sony DCR-HC30E, Sony TRV-340E, Canon ZR80, Canon ZR200, Canon MV630i, Canon MV750i or Panasonic NV EX3 work in analog to DV passthrough mode to iMovie HD 5.0.2 while they work in iMovie 4.0.1 (apparently some models that don't work in iMovie HD 5.0.2 work in iMovie HD 6, though).
2. It is also not possible to record live DV with no tape in the camcorder (i.e. the camcorder in Rec mode, so that what goes in the camcorder's lens, imports in real-time to iMovie) from a camcorder (Sony TRV320, for example) to iMovie HD 6.0.1 because iMovie complains "Camera No Tape". In iMovie 4.0.1 and BTV Pro this works OK with no tape in the camcorder.
Analog-to-DV workaround #1: Import using $20/40 BTV/BTV Pro or iMovie 4.0.1. Then import it to iMovie HD or, to save time and HD space, drop the .dv file in the Media-folder (see below here and here).
Analog-to-DV workaround #2: (This worked with my Sony TRV320 with iMovie HD 5.0.1 but not anymore with v5.0.2 or v6.0). Put a tape in the camcorder and press the camcorder's PLAY-button to play the tape in VTR mode (usually the tape must be OUT when doing analog-DV conversion!), then in iMovie hit the Import-button (so iMovie starts to import from the tape), then press the camcorder's STOP-button. iMovie should then continue importing from the analog source as usual.
Live import workaround #1: Import using BTV/BTV Pro or iMovie 4.0.1. (Remember to disable the camcorder's demo mode).
Live import workaround #2: Put a tape in the camcorder and put it into CAMERA mode. Launch iMovie HD 6.0.2 -- its import mode should show the live feed from the camcorder. Remove the tape -- iMovie HD should continue to show and import live feed from the camcorder. The drawback with this approach is that it produces wear and tear to the camcorder. If you keep the tape in the camcorder, it may also go into standby mode if the tape is paused.
So apparently some cameras/decks do work. Another site directed me to Vidi which was a lifesaver. I spent about 4 days digitizing using pass-through. I can only imagine the pain having to record on miniDV first and then move it to the computer.
I tried those workarounds but they didn't work or wasn't able to try (BTV/BTV Pro ones). The camera I used was a loaner. It was a Panasonic GS50 I believe, PAL version.
EDIT: I got the "Camera No Tape" error all the time while trying pass-through with iMovie.
Joshua.

What has Changed??

Long story short, I hope.
1. Almost three years ago I imported our Family VHS tape into iMovie with nary a hiccup. Ran it through a Sony D/A codec converter. iMovie saw the feed instantly, I was able to cut, edit, splice, burn to DVD, all in a matter of hours.
2. Did a few similar projects around that time frame but nothing lately.
3. Now, since various upgrades, 10.3 to 10.4, QuickTime to 7, iLife to 5, etc., I can't even get it into my machine anymore.
Originally it came in as a _TS .VOB I believe.
I've seen several posts pointing to Streamclip and the like, but if I used to be able to do this without going beyond the iLife suite, shouln't I still be able?
Any direction or insight would be greatly appreciated.
Joe

Thanks for the prod Beverly, this is what I found at:
http://www.macintouch.com/readerreports/imovie/topic2334.html
Some analog to DV converters don't work in iMovie HD 5.0.2 like they do in iMovie 4.0.1.
1. For example, my Sony TRV320 can convert analog video to DV in passthrough mode in iMovie 4.0.1, but not in iMovie HD 5.0.2. Reportedly also neither Sony DVMC-DA1 converter and Panasonic NV EX3 work in iMovie HD 5.0.2 like they do in iMovie 4.0.1. iMovie HD 5.0.2 update seems to have disabled the workaround which worked in v5.0.1: Put a tape in the camcorder and press the camcorder's PLAY-button to play the tape in VTR mode (usually the tape must be OUT when doing analog-DV conversion!), then in iMovie hit the Import-button (so iMovie starts to import from the tape), then press the camcorder's STOP-button. iMovie should then continue importing from the analog source as usual.
Bummer, wonder if I can go back to iMovie 4 painlessly?
Joe

What mini dv camcorder?

I need some help. I have a Panasonic NV-EX3 mini dv camcorder but it is not recognised by my imovie hd 06. Does anyone know of a list of all the mini dv camcorders that are compatible with said version of imovie or can recommend a mini dv camcorder they know works. Thanks.

This is my list on the topic.
*NO CAMERA or A/D-box*
Cable
• Sure that You use the FireWire - USB will not work for miniDV tape Cameras
FireWire - Sure not using the accompany USB-Cable but bought a 4-pin to 6-pin FW one ?
• Test another FW-Cable very often the problem maker.
Camera
• Test Your Camera on another Mac so that DV-in still works OK
• Toogle in iMovie pref. Play-back via Camera (on<->off some times)
• Some Cameras has a Menu where You must select DV-out to get it to work
• Camera connected to "charger" (mains adaptor) - not just on battery
Does Your Camera work on another Mac ?
Sorry to say it is to easy to turn the 6-pin end of the FW-cable 180 deg wrong.
This is lethal to the A/D-chip in the Camera = needs an expensive repair.
(Hard to find out - else than import/export to another Mac ceased to work
everything else is OK eg recording and playback to TV)
Connections
• Daisy Chaining most often doesn’t work (some unique cases - it’s the only way that work (some Canon Cameras ?))
Try to avoid connecting Camera <--> external HD <--> Mac but import directly to the Mac then move
the Movie project to dedicated external hard disk.
• FireWire-port - Can be re-setted by - Turn off Mac and disconnecting Mac from Mains/Power for 20-30 minutes
Mac
• Free space on internal (start-up) hard disk ? Please specify the amount of free space.
(Other hard disks don't count)
I go for a minmum of 25Gb free space for 4x3 SD Video - and my guess is 5 times more for 16x9 HD ones
after material is imported and edited.
SoftWare
• Delete iMovie pref file may help sometimes. I rather start a new account, log into this and have a re-try.
• Any strange Plug-ins into QuickTime as Perian etc ? Remove and try again.
• FileVault is off ? (hopefully)
Using WHAT versions ? .
• Mac OS - X.5.4 ?
• QuickTime version ? (This is the heart in both iMovie and FinalCut)
• iMovie 8 (7.1.?) ?
• iMovie HD 6 (6.0.4/3) ?
*Other ways to import Your miniDV tape*
• Use another Camera. There where tape play-back stations from SONY
but they costed about 2-4 times a normal miniDV Camera.
• If Your Camera works on another Mac. Make an iMovie movie project here and move it
over to Your Mac via an external hard disk.
(HAS TO BE Mac OS Extended formatted - USB/DOS/FAT32/Mac OS Exchange WILL NOT DO)
(Should be a FireWire one - USB/USB2 performs badly)
from LKN 1935.
Hi Bengt W, I tried it all, but nothing worked. Your answer has been helpfull insofar as all the different trials led to the conclusion that there was something wrong with my iMovie software. I therefore threw everything away and reinstalled iMovie from the HD. After that the exportation of DV videos (there has not been any problem with HDV videos) to my Sony camcorders worked properly as it did before. Thank you. LKN 1935
from Karsten.
in addition to Bengt's excellent '9 yards of advice' ..
camera set to 'Play' , not rec/computer/etc.?
camera not on battery, but power-line?
did your Mac 'recognize' this camera before...?
a technical check.
connect camera, on, playback, fw-connected...
click on the Blue Apple, upper left of your screen ..
choose 'About../More..
under Firewire.. what do you read..?
More
• FileVault - Secure that it’s turned off
• Network storage - DOESN’T WORK
• Where did You store/capture/import Your project ?
External USB hard disk = Bad Choise / FireWire = Good
If so it has to be Mac OS Extended formatted
----> UNIX/DOS/FAT32/Mac OS Exchange is NOT Working for VIDEO !
mbolander
Thanks for all your suggestions. What I learned is that I had a software problem. I had something called "Nikon Transfer" on my Mac that was recognizing my Canon camcorder as a still camera and was preventing iMovie from working properly. After uninstalling Nikon Transfer and doing a reboot, everything worked great.
I never liked the Nikon Transfer software anyway--I guess I'll get a cheap card reader and use that to transfer photos in the future.
*No Camera or bad import*
• USB hard disk
• Network storage
• File Vault is on
jiggaman15dg wrote
if you have adobe cs3 or 4 and have the adobe bridge on close that
or no firewire will work
see if that halps
DJ1249 wrote
The problem was the external backup hard drive that is connected, you need to disconect the external drive before the mac can see the video camera.
Yours Bengt W

Sony PMW-EX3 vs. Panasonic AG-HPX300 & FCP

For FCP editors, which HD camera would be the best choice?
They're now almost identical in price... so if someone handed you ten grand and said buy a camera, which one would you buy?

I have an EX3.
The SxS cards unload very quickly and there is NO processing before you work with it - I love that. Also the Express card slot on a MacBook Pro will read (and write) the SxS card so you do not need to carry a reader when you're on the road. The video plays perfectly and does not load the processor at all. I can also edit the video and the RUN IT BACK INTO THE SxS CARD (try that with P2) - this allows you to play it out through the SDI port on the camera and feed the video to the networks or other equipment that is not connected to a computer.
The low light abilities of this camera blows me away. I shot our local capital rotunda from 3/4 of a mile away at night, without any gain - in fact I had to close the iris down a bit! The blacks are black without any noise.
Battery life is great - about 3 hours on a 1.95AH small battery. Plus if you want to "Run and Gun" you can still get away with it using this camera - it is not too big.
Another really great thing about the EX3 is the viewfinder. People like Robert Primes (CSA) says this is the best viewfinder he has ever seen. You can actually use this camera without a large monitor. You really need to check one out in person. Mr. Primes talks about the EX in two different videos on a Sony web site at:
https://vts.inxpo.com/scripts/InXpo.nxp?LASCmd=L:0&AI=1&ShowKey=1405&LoginType=0 &InitialDisplay=1&ClientBrowser=0&DisplayItem=NULL
You'll have to look around in the XDCAM EX area of the "Convention Center" for the videos (I don't know why Sony hides them). It is very enlightening.
This camera is a full raster 1920x1080 and shoots NTSC (and PAL) with native real 24 fps format not pull downs.
The first thing that everyone that says when they see footage off this camera is "WOW" - really! (The last one was a guy at a TV station.)
So I think everyone should buy the Panasonic camera because I love having an unfair advantage.

Need advice on Panasonic AG-HMC150 camera format specs

We're looking to upgrade to an HD camera and I was wondering if the Panasonic AG-HMC150 would meet the quality format our client is requesting. I know its highest bitrate is 21 Mbps, so I'm thinking that it can't, but I wanted to check with the pros here to make sure I'm not missing something.
The client can accpet any of the following:
Quicktime wrapped self-contained DVCPRO HD 100
MPEG2 >35mbits 1080 60i (59.94i)
MXF (.mxf) Op1a wrapped DVCPRO HD 100
P2 MXF file format (.mxf) (On DVD, Hard drive, or Blu-Ray data disk only)
Would the AG-HMC150 be able to meet any of these?
Thanks.

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Webshark2000 wrote:
We're looking to upgrade to an HD camera and I was wondering if the Panasonic AG-HMC150 would meet the quality format our client is requesting. I know its highest bitrate is 21 Mbps, so I'm thinking that it can't, but I wanted to check with the pros here to make sure I'm not missing something.
The client can accpet any of the following:
Quicktime wrapped self-contained DVCPRO HD 100
MPEG2 >35mbits 1080 60i (59.94i)
MXF (.mxf) Op1a wrapped DVCPRO HD 100
P2 MXF file format (.mxf) (On DVD, Hard drive, or Blu-Ray data disk only)
Would the AG-HMC150 be able to meet any of these?
Thanks.
It's a great little camera, but I don't think it meets any of these...it doesn't shoot in DVCPRO HD, so it doesn't meet the first, it's highest bit rate is 21mbs (or 24? don't remember) and it records MPEG4 AVCHD so no go on #2, and it doesn't record MXF or to P2...so, I'm thinking it won't cut it for your client. Sorry!
You should look at a Sony EX1R or EX3, or a Panasonic HPX-300 or 370 - those should fit the requirements.

Workflow recommendations for SONY EX3/DV PAL 16:9/& a bit of AVCHD

Hi there,
I'm considering buying a SONY EX3 camera for an HD documentary project.
However, this would be a one-off (for the moment) and the bulk of my work is still PAL DV, as most TV in the UK is SD. So, if I am to use the EX3 as my main workhorse over my Z1, as I understand it, the EX3 can shoot in 720P 25 (Progressive) and 720P 50 (interlaced), and there are easy set ups for these formats within Final Cut Pro once the Sony plug in software for the EX3 is installed. FCP will then edit this material natively.
What I'm not clear about though, is whether there are any disadvantages to a workflow that would see me doing this with 720P media in a sequence, and then outputting to PAL DV through either compressor or using the PAL DV settings through exporting a QT PAL DV movie for my SD work.
For example, are the render times working with 720P media slower than in a PAL DV sequence? What about the file sizes of the media for 720P 25 or 720P 50 - are they much larger than PAL DV? And say I wanted to use in the same project - some footage from a Panasonic GH1 camera which shoots in AVCHD, what would be the best workflow?
Sorry for all the questions and thanks for your help. I've searched the web but can't seem to find the right answers.
Cheers for now,
Ant (an HD newbie)

as I understand it, the EX3 can shoot in 720P 25 (Progressive) and 720P 50 (interlaced)
720p25 and 720p50 are both progressive formats, neither are interlaced ... the former is a 25 frame per second format, the latter is a 50 frame per second format. If you are recording 720p with the intention to master to a PAL SD format (50 interlaced fields per second) especially if you intend to intercut it with interlaced footage, then I would recommend shooting 720p50 in order to achieve a more natural interlaced motion in your target.
are the render times working with 720P media slower than in a PAL DV sequence?
Yes. Quite apart from the fact that there are a lot more pixels to be manipulated, there is also the nature of the native XDCAM EX codec ... which is an MPEG2 based codec, and is far more computationally intensive both for decoding and encoding. However working with XDCAM in FCP can be alleviated by setting your render codec to Apple ProRes 422, or indeed by setting your sequence codec to Apple ProRes 422. You could also use a third party capture device such as a Matrox, AJA or Blackmagic card to capture your source footage directly into Apple ProRes 422 or other suitable intermediate codec.
What about the file sizes of the media for 720P 25 or 720P 50 - are they much larger than PAL DV?
Yes. First, 720p25 and 720p50 are the same frame size, being 1280x720. DV PAL is 720x576.
And say I wanted to use in the same project - some footage from a Panasonic GH1 camera which shoots in AVCHD, what would be the best workflow?
Your best bet is to capture all footage into a single intermediate format such as Apple ProRes 422 and then work natively in FCP in that intermediate codec.
Best
Andy

XL-H1S...PMW-EX3...

Hi,
Any FCP user deal with XL-H1 or PMW-EX1?
Canon and Sony about to release the upgrade XL-H1S & PMW-EX1 in the mid of the year...what do you think?
are the above model support by FCP...capturing thru FIREWIRE?
will you choose the media..TAPE or TAPELESS?
at last,what's your current Camera?

XL-H1 is tape based, and yes, I have shot and captured this format...via firewire.
The Sony EX-1 is SxS (Express34) card based...no capture, but rather INJEST, and I have also injested footage from this camera as well. You must be running FCP 6.0.2, and you must install the Ex1 driver and Sony transfer application. Pretty fast and slick.
New EX1? No...they just announced the EX3 at NAB, but that is a $12,000 camera, not an update. The EX1 JUST came out..no update for that soon.
I choose both...tapeless has advantages, but archiving is still an issue. Tape is in your hand, but then you need to use your camera as a deck, or have to buy or rent a deck to capture this footage. Injesting requires no deck.
My current cameras are a Canon GL1 and Panasonic HVX-200.
Shane

Panasonic NV EX3

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