I need a video camera that's easy to use.....

[nogginthenog]

Hi, I have a Canon FS100 video camera for recording the usual family stuff - child walking for the 1st time, boy peddling for the 1st time etc. It's great, it's easy to use, compact, not so expensive that I'm scared to take it out for fear of loss or damage. The problem is downloading the files to a Mac to edit. It needs plugging into the mains and the data cable connecting to transfer. Not a huge hassle, but since the original battery died I replaced it with a 3rd party battery ( to save spending over £50 for the Canon one ) which powers the camera, but isn't recognised when downloading ( despite being described as a 'direct replacement' ) so I can't transfer the data with this battery installed. You would think that it would be a simple matter of downloading with a card-reader straight to the Mac, but the files won't open in iMovie unless they have been imported via the camera ( feck knows why? )

I could just fork-out for the new Canon battery, but I am wondering if there is a reasonably priced new camera out there, which simplifies the whole download process? Or, if I buy some other software like Final Cut, will I be able to open the files imported from the card?

I am a pro photographer, but with absolutely no interest in the moving image ( beyond recording family moments ) so advice from more knowledgeable PH'ers would be very welcome.

Cheers, Noggin.

[14-7]

What sort of movie file is it on the card?

[nogginthenog]

files are labeled

MOV00A.MOD

and

MOV00A.MOI


does that tell you anything?

[Road2Ruin]

.mod files are standard movie files from panasonic, cannon and hitachi. They are just simple mpeg2 files but with a different extension so should be easy enough to watch and edit. The .moi file is a data file that keeps info like the date of the movie and is not important. They should be easy enough to import by just dragging from memory card onto computer. Not sure why you can't play them unless you are not using the correct software to play them. For example windows doesn't have an mpeg2 decoder installed by default! Don't know about Macs though.

Pete

[royceybaby]

We have just purchased a Panasonic HD camera. If you insert the SD card into your mac, open up iMovie, then choose the import from camera it sees the SD card as the actual camera and will allow you to import.

Give that a go.

Royce

[nogginthenog]

Road2Ruin said:

.mod files are standard movie files from panasonic, cannon and hitachi. They are just simple mpeg2 files but with a different extension so should be easy enough to watch and edit. The .moi file is a data file that keeps info like the date of the movie and is not important. They should be easy enough to import by just dragging from memory card onto computer. Not sure why you can't play them unless you are not using the correct software to play them. For example windows doesn't have an mpeg2 decoder installed by default! Don't know about Macs though.

Pete

Thanks. It's weird - I can edit them in iMovie, but only if I import direct from the camera ( which isn't possible without the original battery ) . If I drag them in via a card, the option to import is greyed-out. Maybe a Mac / Canon stitch-up to make sure that people only buy the original battery??

Cheers, Noggin.

[nogginthenog]

royceybaby said:

We have just purchased a Panasonic HD camera. If you insert the SD card into your mac, open up iMovie, then choose the import from camera it sees the SD card as the actual camera and will allow you to import.

Give that a go.

Royce

That's it. It works. Hoorah!

Thanks very much for that info

Noggin.