Hi guys -
New to the forum, and a recent upgrader from mini DV. I now own a TM900 and would really appreciate some advice around which format to shoot in before I go too far...

I'm a Mac user (currently using iMovie '11 but could spring for FCP X if it helps) and have read about the issues around AVCHD support. I'm keen to use the best quality available, but have concerns about long term issues of using the "proprietary", "unsupported" (and yet gorgeous on my Panasonic Viera) 1080p50 (PAL) format.

What is the general concensus here? I paid for 1080p50, so I should use it, right? Or is that only asking for trouble both in the long run ("proprietary format rot") and in the short (Mac editing woes)?

Any advice gratefully received!

Richard

I have bought the Panasonic HDC SD900 camera for it's 1080p50 setting, and I do not go for less.
The 1080p50 is at the moment outside the AVCHD standard, but for how long? Sony is using 1080p50 too.
I think the way to go is 1080p50 (or higher).
Editing software is behind at the moment, so maybe your computer too. But both will change in the near future. One always have trouble when one works at the front of technology. But technology goes fast these days ...

Hi Richard,

I'll soon be buying the HDC-HS900 and I was looking around for editing software when I discovered Final Mate for Mac, I have a 2008 Mac Pro. http://www.aunsoft.com/final-mate-mac Aunsoft Final Mate for Mac camcorder software for Mac helps convert AVCHD to Apple ProRes & AIC, Join/Split AVCHD without re-encoding

♦ Full HD support for AVCHD*, TOD & MOD camcorders
♦ Merge or Split files without re-encoding
♦ Convert camcorder videos to Apple ProRes or AIC for FCP/iMovie

Brief Overview

Aunsoft Final Mate for Mac, a useful camcorder software program for Mac OS X, makes it easy to capture & backup AVCHD, TOD, MOD videos from camcorder, edit in Timeline for quick joining or splitting files, lossless output AVCHD movie for enjoying Full HD memories on TV, convert AVCHD MTS/M2TS to Apple ProRes 422 format or Apple Intermediate Codec for professional editing in Final Cut Pro (FCP), FCE and iMovie.

I'm of the same opinion; to record in HD as that is the whole purpose of buying the HD cam! I'm getting the HS900 for the hard drive, I was going for the TM900 but as I need it for a 3 week holiday [initially], I will need too many SDHC cards, as it is I'm looking to buy 15-20 to top it up, that'd be a lot more if I bought the TM!

I'm a newbie to the forum & HD camcorders so have a lot to learn

Regards

Barry

New TM900 guy here, with a quick question. I'm sure it's been asked many times before, and I'm sorry about that, but I couldn't seem to find an answer not involving companies trying to sell me software... Here goes:

How do most of you get 1080p50/60 into Final Cut Pro (7/X)?