Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3/TZ7: Small, HD Video, Dolby Stereo - demo video

[Habakuk]

Thanks for trying it out. This is strange as both my Macbook and Macbook Pro have been upgraded to 10.6 and both will not import .mts files.

Where do you see .mts files? It's correct that AVCHD Lites files are .mts but I supect that you try to import the wrong way. You don't need to search in the files structure of your storage chip. Please read on...

I've tried connecting the camera via the wire it came with and using a USB memory card reader. iMovie is on 8.04 and when I import all the .mts files are greyed out

As mentioned several times in this thread: iMovie '09 AVCHD Lite import is only possible via the camera symbol button (or shortcut "Command + i" or menue item "Files - Import from camera") and a special "import window" (with thumbnail & clip preview) that will pop up then, not via menue item "Files - Import"! In this import window there are no ".mts"-files listed in something like a files browser but a thumbnail preview of each AVCHD Lite file on the card, a larger preview and some options.

Mac Rumors digital video forum user thejohnny published a photo of that window previously in this thread (thanks):
https://forums.macrumors.com/posts/7698390/

Without this window and it's workflow an AVCHD Lite import will not work with Mac software.

Hi
This is my first post here. I bought the TZ7 a couple of days ago and have been blown away by the camera. However, I am completely unable to download video onto either my iMac or my Macbook. When I attach the camera it will readily download the photos to iPhoto. However, if there is a movie it just takes ages to download it to iPhoto and it is just a still JPEG.

There should be a JPEG (first image of video) preview and another one with the movie that looks identical (clicking on it opens QT) in iPhoto. This works perfectly with the Motion JPEG HD files since the TZ7/ZS3 came out on some Macs here. The download via USB takes a while depending on the length/resolution of the Motion JPEG HD file.

Apple software: The import of the Lumix' other HD format "AVCHD Lite" is only possible with the latest iMovie app as described above! (Although there should be some 3rd-party solutions around...) AVCHD Lite is not directly supported by older and actual versions of QuickTime and Final Cut. (And not by Elgato Turbo.264 HD btw.)

I am very new to all this and would be very grateful if someone knows how to download AVCHD (the manual says it is not Mac compatible!) or possibly the other format Motion JPEG. I can view the images on my Panasonic TV but they are not HiDef as I don't have a Mini HDMI cable. Also I would like to be able to edit my footage. Very frustrated to have basically a HiDef video camera ( thought I was buying a stills camera) and not be able to use it.

Please read above. The import of all Pana Lumix TZ7/ZS3 HD movies should work easily and perfectly for everyone with a Mac. Don't hesitate to ask if something is not clear.

 

[urbanmacUser]

Where do you see .mts files? It's correct that AVCHD Lites files are .mts but I supect that you try to import the wrong way. You don't need to search in the files structure of your storage chip. Please read on...



As mentioned several times in this thread: iMovie '09 AVCHD Lite import is only possible via the camera symbol button (or shortcut "Command + i" or menue item "Files - Import from camera") and a special "import window" (with thumbnail & clip preview) that will pop up then, not via menue item "Files - Import"! In this import window there are no ".mts"-files listed in something like a files browser but a thumbnail preview of each AVCHD Lite file on the card, a larger preview and some options.

Here someone made a photo of that window:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/id-as/3598015342/

Without this a AVCHD Lite import will not work.



There should be a JPEG (first image of video) preview and another one with the movie that looks identical (clicking on it opens QT). This works perfectly with the Motion JPEG HD files since the TZ7/ZS3 came out. The download via USB takes a while depending on the length/resolution of the Motion JPEG file.

The import of the Lumix' other HD format "AVCHD Lite" is only possible with the latest iMovie app!



Please read above. The import of all Pana Lumix TZ7/ZS3 HD movies should work easily and perfectly for everyone with a Mac. Ask if something is not clear.

Ok, I finally fixed my problem. I reformatted the SD card and now iMovie imports the .mts movies

 

[Habakuk]

Another HD video!

I've mentioned before in the digital photography forum a photo gallery...

https://forums.macrumors.com/posts/8624557/

...that I've made of the nice event "90 years Citroën" in Vienna. Now see and hear them moving--here is the video (with a photo sequence):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Ss3fDu9FtI

Enjoy if you like those beautiful, elegant and impressive French cars with technical specialities like hydropneumatic suspension.

Don't forget to switch on YouTube High Definition. Quickly and easily recorded with Panasonic Lumix DMC TZ7 in Motion JPEG format and edited with Apple iMovie 09.

More information:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydropneumatic_suspension
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citroen

 

[MBHockey]

Sorry for that, urban.

I am always using the Motion JPEG format and not AVCHD Lite (with those .mts files) but I did a test right now with Snow 10.6: Importing a ZS3/TZ7-made AVCHD Lite clip via USB card reader and iMovie '09 (version # 8.0.4; import window Command+i) worked fine with image and sound as usual, exporting a HD movie (.mov) of that short testing project (and play with old and new QT) as well.

Can you comment on the file size difference between AVCHD Lite and Motion JPEG?

Also, both are 720p HD right?

 

[Habakuk]

Can you comment on the file size difference between AVCHD Lite and Motion JPEG?

AVCHD Lite needs only about the half of the space on storage card.

Please have a look at manufacturer's info on that topic:
http://panasonic.net/avc/lumix/compact/zs3_tz7/ia_movie.html#hdmovie

Go to "product overview" there too—very useful informations. Bookmark this because it's hard to find (doesn't show up at Google searches).

Also, both are 720p HD right?

Right.

X-mas hint: Get the Lumix, folks. Nothing has changed: It's like before the best compact hybrid cam in my honest opinion.

 

[MBHockey]

AVCHD Lite needs only about the half of the space on storage card.

Please have a look at manufacturer's info on that topic:
http://panasonic.net/avc/lumix/compact/zs3_tz7/ia_movie.html#hdmovie

Go to "product overview" there too—very useful informations. Bookmark this because it's hard to find (doesn't show up at Google searches).



Right.

X-mas hint: Get the Lumix, folks. Nothing has changed: It's like before the best compact hybrid cam in my honest opinion.

Thanks for the info.

Another thing I'm curious about is the file sizes. My brother, who I'm looking into this camera for, has about 90 GB on his drive left. I don't think he plans on doing much actual editing of HD video, but he wants to store them in a Quicktime-readable format.

Does converting from AVCHD Lite to something that Quicktime can play 1) Take up tremendously more space? 2) compress the video more, reducing quality? How about Motion JPEG? Better/worse quality? I know it has larger file sizes on the SD card.

Basically, he wants to shoot the video, and transfer it to his mac for viewing such that it's 720p HD.

 

[lurcher]

Sorry to dig this thread up again but I got one of these cameras for Christmas and whilst it is great, I have a couple of issues...

Firstly, some HD video is bad quality in that it is over sharpened and almost looks like it has had the 'cutout' filter applied to it that you find in Photoshop. Strange, as other videos it has taken have been pretty good. I'm shooting in Motion JPEG and viewing on a laptop and HD tv. Does it matter what setting on the dial you have when shooting video?

Secondly, when importing into iPhoto I often get an 'Unreadable Files' error and some do not get imported. If I disconnect and re-import some of them will then go through! There doesn't seem to be anything that makes some import fine when others don't.

Has anyone else come across these problems?

 

[Habakuk]

Sorry for the late answer but this one slipped through my radar.

Thanks for the info.

Another thing I'm curious about is the file sizes. My brother, who I'm looking into this camera for, has about 90 GB on his drive left. I don't think he plans on doing much actual editing of HD video, but he wants to store them in a Quicktime-readable format.

For storing HD video another hard disk drive or DL-DVDs (lots of) are recommended. 90 GB are not many for that purpose. 1-2 TB desktop drives are not expensive nowadays, I have a 1 TB/FW800 Western Digital on my MBP and very contento (it also hosts Time Machine).

Does converting from AVCHD Lite to something that Quicktime can play 1) Take up tremendously more space?

Converting AVCHD Lite to Motion JPEG produces another file, about double the size of the AVCHD Lite file.

2) compress the video more, reducing quality?

No. No.

How about Motion JPEG? Better/worse quality? I know it has larger file sizes on the SD card.

Same quality. Some people are telling that AVCHD Lite has better sound (more high frequencies) but my ears don't hear that. Listen to my demo videos in the church at the beginning of this thread—all recorded with Motion JPEG HD.

Basically, he wants to shoot the video, and transfer it to his mac for viewing such that it's 720p HD.

That's okay with the Pana Lumix ZS3/TZ7. Works very well with Macs. I am using a Hama USB card reader it's faster.

Sorry to dig this thread up again but I got one of these cameras for Christmas and whilst it is great, I have a couple of issues...

Firstly, some HD video is bad quality in that it is over sharpened and almost looks like it has had the 'cutout' filter applied to it that you find in Photoshop.

Hard to tell. Can you upload such a video to YouTube for demo reasons? All my video material has been pretty good so far, technically spoken. For technical details I recommend the dpreview.com Forum for Panasonic cameras.

Does it matter what setting on the dial you have when shooting video?

Of course it does. You'll have different options in the video menues. Please consult your manual.

ZS3/TZ7 works very good with Full Auto (intelligent Automatic, iA) and honestly I am shooting most things with that setting but you can choose any (most) options you have for stills photography. It's a REAL hybrid with separate shutter buttons for stills/video.

Secondly, when importing into iPhoto I often get an 'Unreadable Files' error and some do not get imported. If I disconnect and re-import some of them will then go through! There doesn't seem to be anything that makes some import fine when others don't.

Has anyone else come across these problems?

Let's say iPhoto is not the most reliable application by Apple when it comes to import thing from different devices, esp. iPhone, movies. But most of the times it will work on a second attempt after a restart. Never had a data loss or something dramatic.

 

[lurcher]

Thanks for the reply. I'm thinking some of my dodgy vids may have been taken with another scene mode on rather than Ai.

As for iPhoto, this is where I collect my photos hence why I use it. I'm surprised why some would import but not others on the same run when they are all the same file types. Perhaps an iPhoto update may fix it.

Cheers

 

[SKANLEZ]

Can this camera take a 32GB SDHC Card?

I just ordered this camera and looking for a SD Card. Do you guys know if a 32GB SD Card will work for this camera? Cause I know my pervious digital camera was only able to read 2GB. If its able to use 32GB I assume it can with 16GB correct? Thanks everyone!

 

[lurcher]

Not sure about that, but why would you need such space? And don't forget the OP said you need a class 6 card for the HD speed which are more expensive.

 

[SKANLEZ]

Not sure about that, but why would you need such space? And don't forget the OP said you need a class 6 card for the HD speed which are more expensive.

Thanks for the information I received the camera yesterday and it says it can be used with 4GB-32GB as long as there is an HDCH logo on the card. Where did you see where it says the camera can only use a Class 6 Card? Can't seem to find it anywhere in the manual.

 

[Habakuk]

And don't forget the OP said you need a class 6 card for the HD speed which are more expensive.

Where did you see where it says the camera can only use a Class 6 Card? Can't seem to find it anywhere in the manual.

Manual page 113, have a look at the attached screenshot. Sorry it's German but you'll find the text anyway (I have no English manual at hand right now).

Additional info by the manufacturer, very important hints and tips, please bookmark that site because you won't find it in Google:
http://panasonic.net/avc/lumix/compact/zs3_tz7/index.html

For the SDHC card specs you'll find there:
http://panasonic.net/avc/lumix/compact/zs3_tz7/optional_accessories.html
(At the bottom the center button.)

When you set the motion picture quality to HD, WVGA or VGA, we recommend using a high-speed memory card with "10MB/s" or greater on the package. Some lens movement sounds may be recorded.

 

[SKANLEZ]

Manual page 113, have a look at the attached screenshot. Sorry it's German but you'll find the text anyway (I have no English manual at hand right now).

Additional info by the manufacturer, very important hints and tips, please bookmark that site because you won't find it in Google:
http://panasonic.net/avc/lumix/compact/zs3_tz7/index.html

For the SDHC card specs you'll find there:
http://panasonic.net/avc/lumix/compact/zs3_tz7/optional_accessories.html
(At the bottom the center button.)

Can't reas German but I see the recommendation. I may just buy the 16GB HDSC Topram Card from Ebay for $35. It's a Class 6 Card. I plan on going to New York for 5 days and will be taking alot of Pictures and Videos. I plan to have the settings on the best possible quality of Video and Pictures. So that's the reason for getting a 32GB. But I trust your advice if you feel I only need a 16GB. I'm a noob to all of this and learning as I go.

 

[hotrod-realtor]

Ok, I finally fixed my problem. I reformatted the SD card and now iMovie imports the .mts movies

Thanks for your comment. I too couldn't get the camera to work with I Movie 09 until I formatted the SD card. Once I did that, I could pair the camera to my MBP via the usb cable and voila, the import screen magically appeared to allow import. Without formatting the SD card and taking new videos, I couldn't get it to work at all.
I hope this is helpful to others.
Thanks,
Warren

 

[lurcher]

Can't reas German but I see the recommendation. I may just buy the 16GB HDSC Topram Card from Ebay for $35. It's a Class 6 Card. I plan on going to New York for 5 days and will be taking alot of Pictures and Videos. I plan to have the settings on the best possible quality of Video and Pictures. So that's the reason for getting a 32GB. But I trust your advice if you feel I only need a 16GB. I'm a noob to all of this and learning as I go.

Personally I prefer to have a few cards rather than one big one - that way if a card dies at least it doesn't take all your images with it.

 

[rhubarbe]

Thou art the Stalybridge lurcher?

 

[lurcher]

Thou art the Stalybridge lurcher?

Not that I know of <scratches head>

 

[rhubarbe]

Don't teach folk to drive?

 

[lurcher]

Nope! I have two lurcher dogs though

 

[rhubarbe]

Fair enough. My mate lurcher is a driving instructor - lurch - get it?

Looking to buy a TZ7 for my collection and because I constantly strive for a device that will produce noise free video in very low light. The samples I have seen of this indicate that it might, so it's worth a punt, as long as I can buy right..

 

[lurcher]

You won't get noise free in very low light - you would have to spend nearly a grand on a 'proper' camcorder for that. Having said that, the video is very good quality for the money - and you get a good camera thrown in too!

 

[rhubarbe]

Oh, I have spent over a grand on proper camcorders - and believe me even they are lacking in the low light department. I just want something that will take short vids of us on nights out and on holiday. If it's cheap and fits in the pocket as well, well that's another plus.

 

[lurcher]

Well if that's the case then it's perfect. I have been using it since Christmas and love it, hardly pick my D50 up anymore!

 

[rhubarbe]

I'm a bit late to this party - I gave up rather on DSCs when my eyesight got to the point that I couldn't see an LCD without my reading specs and I can't see to walk along wearing them. I held on to my old DSC-F717 with it's trusty EVF and dioptre.

Camcorders have been a great disappointment to me also recently: grainy in a dimly lit room and 1080i HD models impossible to hold still enough to get any decent footage. I recently went back to SD just so I could film indoors in the evenings without the resulting footage looking like I was on a rollercoaster. SD @ 576i PAL: is just not quite good enough and I think maybe 720p may just be a good compromise - and the nice big CCD might just collect enough light for me to be happy with just one camera - for both stills and video.