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Question

Panasonic HD-V720 settings...no HD on my mac?

Jan 16, 2014 4:53AM PST

I am using a HC-V720.... And a mac / Final Cut. I just bought stuff for a home theater, and I think I have the lighting nearly right.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOi_V2NsXms

But the video is crappy. : ( As you can see by this edit, when I zoom in in Final Cut the resolution sucks.

(BTW...the output is bad even before the import into FCP....the problem is not the editor... It's the files.)

I'm using a mac, and have the camera set to 1080p/60p

What am I doing wrong? If you can help me you'll be my hero?

PS. I've tested it in iFrame, and with WAY more lighting, but the output is about the same. (Also tested it in 1080 / Scene=Portrait...still low res.)

I'm at wits end. Can anybody help?

Discussion is locked

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Clarification Request
Some questions...
Jan 16, 2014 5:46AM PST

I did a quick read through the manual
http://service.us.panasonic.com/OPERMANPDF/HCV720_ADV.PDF

We don't know your process flow.

"the output is bad even before the import into FCP": How was this determined?

How does the video get from the camcorder into the Mac?

What media player is being used?

Was some sort of transcoder used to convert the .MTS files into something more useful?

There will likely be more questions...

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More details re: panasonic
Jan 16, 2014 6:02AM PST

Thanks for your help.
I simply put the SD card in the mac and opened it ... The default player is Quicktime Player. No transcoding, no compression, etc.

When I play the video full screen the poor quality is apparent.

The video above is imported into FCP, but looks exactly like the stuff just read off the SD card with Quicktime.

Could it be crappy lights? I bought a $300 light kit that seems kick butt... All CFL bulbs.... But it seems crazy that this could be the problem.

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Picture Adjust
Jan 16, 2014 6:18AM PST

Have you tried altering the Picture Adjust settings? That may help
There seems to be some amplifier noise which would disappear with extra light. Do you have similar problems with an outside shot in sunlight?

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Picture adjust settings?
Jan 16, 2014 8:09AM PST

"Amplifier noise" feels right.... But I'm a rookie and don't fully understand. Are you familiar with the camera? I've been over the manual a few times and can't find anything helpful.

And yes....the picture is better outside. Maddening!

: ) Can you give me any more details? (look at the links above?)

Thanks!

Brad

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Picture Adjust
Jan 16, 2014 11:35AM PST

Picture Adjust is on P73 of the .pdf manual.

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One step at a time.
Jan 16, 2014 8:22AM PST

1) Don't take the memory card out of the camcorder. Leave it in there. Connect the camcorder's USB port to the Mac's USB port with a USB cable. Launch Final Cut. You will likely need to use the "Log and Capture" command under "File". When you connect the camcorder to the computer's USB port, the camcorder's LCD screen will display a "USB Function" selection - choose that. In FCP import. Tell us if anything changed in the FCP import quality. This would be the older FCP or FCE. The newer FCP X would have you File: Import Media (the MTS files). I am using MTS files copied from a Canon HF S100 as my guinea pigs.

2) Try a different media player. QuickTime is not exactly "robust". I like VLC Player from www.videoLAN.org Please let us know it the MTS file playback using VLC player is any different.

3) You did not say how the "video is imported to FCP". Were you in FCP and import the copied MTS files or were they imported from the camcorder connection?

I won't jump to conclusions until I think I have enough information.

Please provide:
Mac hardware (iMac, Mac Mini, laptop, etc.)
OSX software and version (under the Apple in the left upper corner, select "About this Mac")
Version iMovie and version of Final Cut Pro (or X?) - In the applications folder, click once on the application's icon and under file, select "Get Info (or command-i)

I was beginning to think that the high compression was a contributor to what we're seeing, but the variable bit rate at 28 mbps (says the specs at the pansonic.com support page for this camcorder) should be just fine. I am not yet convinced compression is not the culprit - link to the menu
http://service.us.panasonic.com/OPERMANPDF/HCV720_ADV.PDF
1 hour 20 minutes on to 16 gig at *highest quality* is a *ton* of compression. Contrast this to 44 gig of uncompressed high definition video for 63 minute sequence length...

When you "directly upload the video files from the camcorder to YouTube", that's getting more/different compression. That's how YouTube works.

There may be more questions...

And this may just be that you are expecting too much from a camcorder designed for "Mobile Live Streaming"... but no conclusions yet...

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by the way, I think your video quality is
Jan 16, 2014 8:38AM PST
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Thanks boya84
Jan 16, 2014 2:18PM PST

I'm on the road for a couple of days... w/o the camera. But I'm eager to try the usb export, v. Taking the sd card out.

Did you see that I tried the camera outside.... It's better! Crap...

Thanks. Here is a raw clip with the same camera in Natural Light:
http://youtu.be/8OxdqiPCp2w
This is a raw clip with my cool (but perhaps sucky?) new lighting set:
http://youtu.be/OPzydQX2OiU
the light set is here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0050K3DW2/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Does this mean my lights suck?

I'm on a spanking 2012 macbook pro. Mavericks. FCP X. Everything is up to date...except for my knowledge about cameras and lighting. Which... Is a freaking ton.

Very thankful for your help.... Can't try the camera for 2 days....

What do you think about the lights? Everything looked way better with natural light. Sheesh.

Cheers.

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raw video samples... lighting issue?
Jan 16, 2014 6:37AM PST