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Average user rating:
- My rating: 0 stars
Full user review
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3 out of 3 people found this review helpful
4.0 stars
"Awesome HD MiniDVD Video Camera, but needs better Mac support!"
Pros: 1080i video quality, 16:9 aspect ratio, Plays on Blu-Ray, Strong battery life with included battery, Excellent viewing screen, Cool touchpad navigation
Cons: 5 second-ish startup time, Plays only on Blu-Ray DVD players, Bad Mac support due to AVCHD codec (as of this writing)
Summary: I am writing this review for one reason, to let the Mac users out there know that this camera WON'T work UNLESS you have video editing software that supports AVCHD format (Sony's own, as usual). I am told that Toast 8 and Apple iLife '08 have the proper codecs to read AVCHD formatted video files, but this is not yet confirmed until I _buy_ and _install_ these products.
Else, this camera is undeniably fantastic, and if you're really smart you'll figure out how to get it for *free* by using your American Express Rewards points! ;0)Updated
For the record, AVCHD is a codec championed by Sony AND Panasonic, not just Sony. And as far as support for AVCHD DVD's in iMovie '08 -- you can forget about it.
This article on Apple.com tells one story:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=306171
Here Apple says that they fully support and have tested the AVCHD DVD format in iMovie '08 and this specific camera model (HDR-UX7). Thus, it should work...but it DOES NOT. The camera is not recognized by the Intel-based Mac and iMovie '08.
After looking in the HELP application in iMovie '08, it says that they do not support AVCHD DVD's! This is VERY unfortunate...for me, and anybody who thinks they're going to make movies on their expensive Mac with their expensive Sony HD DVD camcorder.
Here's what the Help file says:
"You can import video from USB camcorders that record to DVD or hard disk drive (HDD) storage media, or from flash-based devices, such as digital still cameras that record video.
These devices are also called random access devices (RAD) because you can access and import video clips by selecting them randomly. You can preview video clips on the device, but you don?t have to wait for the video to play through as it imports.
NOTE: An Intel processor is required for AVCHD video support. AVCHD DVD camcorders aren't currently supported."
You see, that very last sentence is the key. AVCHD DVD camcorders ARE NOT currently supported.
Maybe you'll have better luck with the hard disk drive models.
For now (as of 11/12/07), we'll all have to wait impatiently.
Apple has lost a lot of street cred with me today. It's a sad day for Apple.
- 1 reply to this review
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Doug has hit the nail on the head. I have a new Sony HDR-UX7 camcorder. My Mac has the Leopard OS. I have tried everything to download SD to my movie programs. They will not transfer to the Mac. I did buy a Kanguru Quicksilver unit that I can use to transfer my camcorder 8cm. disc to a full DVD disc. The KQ has a 'drawer' that will hold the 8cm. camera DVD disc. This unit has not arrived, yet, so I can't give a report.
Sony Handycam HDR-UX7:
