Stuff like this makes me want to cry

... Unexpected Quit with Panasonic AVCHD HDC-SD9

I thought I was dealing with normal AVCHD issues, but I was sadly mistaken. I started following this blog to figure out how to use Final Cut Express with my HDC-SD9 (Job).

This downturn comes after a roller coaster of a day. I've been hard at work finding and installing kexts on my Hackintosh (Dot), and finally found success with the video card (the resolution was way off, DVD Player wouldn't start, and FCE wouldn't install). I was lacking the Quartz Extreme codec. Now I've got a beautiful Mac(ish) to play with.

I've decided to figure out the network card problem another day - apparently I need an Attansic L1 Ethernet kext (of which I have several versions, none that work). I may just buy a different network card. For now, I'm content downloading files onto my iBook (Cornelius) and transfering them onto an external hard drive.

Strangely, USB devices won't mount unless I restart the computer after plugging them in. And the front USB ports don't work at all. Again, something I'll look into later. One reason I'm so loathe to work on this is that the Insanely Mac Forums appear to be down.

I was super excited to get FCE on Dot. But apparently now it will take a WHOLE LOT MORE tinkering for me to get AVCHD support. I've already downloaded the Perian Quicktime plugin, but it wasn't enough.

Dot Project

As if I didn't have enough projects on the go. Enter the Dot Project.

I need a new computer for editing video - specifically, AVCHD. I was looking at a MacBook Pro, but I'm worried that whatever I buy will become obsolete within the next year (and that I'll have more trouble with external hard drives - AVCHD, when converted for editing, takes up a lot of space and I'd be basically living off of external hard drives. Not my idea of a good system).

I've been asking for many people's opinions on the dilemna. The cheapest and most exciting option so far is.... (drumroll please?) the Hackintosh. Unfortunately, that would mean building my own computer. Which, as I said, is exciting. It's also time-consuming, though. I'd have to track down the best parts, then assemble the thing. Then there are licensing issues with the Mac OS.

But wouldn't it be worth it?

Basically, I've given up mobility and convenience for a longer-lasting, more flexible system. Cornelius will be my mobile option - the iBook still has the audio software on there, which is (so far) what I mostly use the computer for (aside from web browsing) .

I'm going to pursue this option for today (tomorrow I may change my mind again).

And I'm going to name the new desktop Dot. So it will be a "Dot Hack-intosh". I'm a geek - so what? Thus, the Dot Project. I wonder if this project will actually work out?

Let's Get Reasonable.

So, Saturday I was acting a little unreasonable. I take back what I said about Advance - they're good guys.

I think I was overreacting. I thought I was in an unsolvable position, but now it seems that I have options.

AVCHD... is cool. If only it worked with my computer. Or ANY computer. I now understand that the intermediate format that it's converted into in the editing suite is 10x the size of the original file. No computer I will ever own will be able to hold that much information, and I would HATE to keep buying hard drives for some of this crappy video that I shoot. Yes, some of it is crappy, I'll admit.

I was misinformed when I bought the camcorder. I thought it could record SD. It can't. I thought I could find a converter for my computer. I can't. I thought that a newer computer would have no trouble editing the video. It wouldn't - it would run out of hard drive space after filling the camcorder's memory card 8 times.

Obviously, I could make it work. But I don't think any computer I can afford can handle AVCHD.


I hate to say it, but Job is gonna get replaced. And Cornelius is probably still going to get a younger brother. I wanted to wait until an exciting Macbook release came out, but it seems that now is the time to get a new computer. I had a blind spot when it came to my iBook - I didn't want to give it up or step outside of my comfort zone, so I kept making excuses. "It's four years old, so it can't handle it." "It has a crappy processor. But it does its job." No... it does not do its job. I need a computer that can edit video, and Cornelius is not going to cut it.

The Format

A friend introduced me to the music of The Format the other day. They're a great band, but I haven't had time to listen to them much. I'm a little preoccupied with another kind of format - AVCHD.

I've got some ideas, but I think each idea will require some form of payment. I may just ask my parents to use their (dare I say it) Windows computer. I haven't ever had to revert to the old PC, but there may be no other option - Windows software for AVCHD is more abundant and less expensive. And I have a feeling there will be at least a couple programs for XP.

It just occurred to me that the conversion software I was looking for might have taken a lot of time to process anyhow.

I've been reading this blog quite a lot in search of an option for my camcorder. I have until the end of the day to change my mind, because tomorrow the store is closed. How does that work?? I had "seven days" to return it, but the store is only open for six... Is it seven business days?

I called Advance and some guy told me that returning it on Monday could be done, but it was an exception made for specific customers. What the fuck?

The guy was so uncaring when I asked him for advice, it really rattled me. First of all, he assumed that I knew nothing about computers, which is good retail smarts but FRUSTRATING when trying to get to the point. I told him that the FCP at school doesn't allow me to import AVCHD files and he said, "Come in and I'll show you that it works." That's all well and good, but if it doesn't work at my school, it doesn't work. And when I told him of conversion software, he said "It is what it is. There's no point converting it, because it will still be the format." What the hell does that mean? I left a voicemail message for some manager, asking him to call me back.

My experiences at Advance were great until just now. The salesperson did not attempt to empathize with me, just talked the technical stuff, and could not help me find any real solution to my problem. If there was no solution, then he should have just told me so. I was trying to work WITH the guy to keep the item I'd purchased from their store. But he merely blocked me at every opening. Did he bother asking if I had access to other computers? No. He just assumed that my Apple iBook was the only computer I could use, even after I told him about the computers at school.

Obviously, a $1000 camcorder is a big thing to a full-time student, and when I can't even playback the footage on ANY computer I have access to, I begin to worry that my money was wasted. I still want a camera. Actually, I NEED a camera. But I don't want a whole new computer system to go with it.