Video files from my Panasonic SDR-H40 camcorder don't show up on my iBook G4.?

Question

I've reviewed another question here about this, and downloaded the VLC software to no avail. My pix show up when I connect the camcorder to the iBook, but the video files don't. The video exists on the camcorder's hard drive, but I don't know why they don't show up on the desktop.

Answer 1

The Panasonic SDR-H40 is a hard drive based camcorder. Connecting with a USB cable, the camcorder mounts to the desktop and you should be able to copy the video files from the camcorder to the iBook. The video files on the camcorder will be in a different directory than the stills.

In order to do anything with the video files, you need to convert them using StreamClip. This is a free download from apple.com... got to apple.com, click support, click downloads, search for "streamclip"... You will launch StreamClip, then either open or import the copied video files. Then save as or export as "DV" or whatever format you want. iMovie like DV or mov.

Be aware that your G4 will take a while converting these files. It is very CPU intensive. An iBook was not meant to do this kind of crunching very quickly. This is not the "fault" of the iBook - the low-end portable line from 4-6 years ago was not meant to be a video powerhouse. Also, it is suggested that an external hard drive be connected to your G4 iBook. If you save as DV format, be advised that 1 hour of imported DV format video will use 13 gig (yes, gig, not meg) of hard drive space.

Answer 2

by the way how is the camcorder.. i am looking to buy one and maybe it is this one. So is it worth 500 or not?