HDC-SD9 1080p problems

[rjheys]

I recently got a new Panasonic HDC-SD9 camcorder, I am pleased with the quality of the 1080i video but would like to shoot in 1080p, when I select 1080/25p the first 5 seconds of anything I record is really bad quality. every 20-30 frames of the video are green, like this http://att.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=147423&stc=1&d=1228593414 and then the video skips and a few frames like this appear, http://att.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=147424&stc=1&d=1228593414 and http://att.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=147425&stc=1&d=1228593414

I have tried: reformatting the memory card, using a different card, importing video in iMovie 08, iMovie 06, Final Cut Express, but nothing works.
Does anyone know of any similar problems or a solution?

[Courtaj]

Have you run software update? I've heard of this problem somewhere else some time ago and thought support for the 24p / 25p mode on the SD9 had been sorted.

Andrew.

[rjheys]

Have you run software update? I've heard of this problem somewhere else some time ago and thought support for the 24p / 25p mode on the SD9 had been sorted.

Andrew.

Yes, all of my software is up to date.

[Courtaj]

Hm. I'll have to try this out with my SD9 to see what gives. In the meantime, make sure you don't have the 3-second pre-record mode selected on your SD9. Apparently that screws things up right royally. Also, check that you don't have a codec by the name of Perian installed.

If I have a chance to test this today I'll get back to you.

Incidentally, it's definitely 25p you're shooting? Just wanted to check, since mine is a 50i/25p model, too.

Andrew.

Also: have you seen this? http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=8291921. May or may not be relevant to your situation.

[rjheys]

Yes just 25p is the problem for me, 50i imports fine. That link sounds like the same problem as I am encountering, but his solution was to downgrade to an earlier version of iMovie 08. I don't think is the problem with mine because I am mainly using FCE4

[Courtaj]

I shot two sample clips at 25p (one with pre-record on and one without it) and imported them into FCE4 (using AIC 1920x1080i50 Easy Setup) and iMovie '08. While both clips played correctly in the log & transfer preview window in FCE4 and the iMovie 08 import preview window, I get the reported flashes of green and breakup intermittently through the first 5 seconds of each clip in both programmes. There was no obvious difference between the clip with pre-record and the one without.

I suppose one work-around would be to make sure to fire off 5 seconds at the beginning of every take when shooting 25p. A pain to be sure, but at least that way you'll know you're recording usable video after 5 seconds.

Given that there is no AVCHD–AIC 1920x1080p25 Easy Setup in FCE, my guess is that progressive AVCHD isn't supported - though I expect that the SD9s 25p is really 50i in disguise. I wonder how people with HF100s have got on with this . . .

Andrew.

[rjheys]

Yea, ok. I guess we will need to wait for AVCHD 25p to be supported then. thanks for checking yours did the same.

Rich