Quicktime: "cannot complete export"

Setup: FCP 7.0.3,

MacBook Air, 8GB RAM, i7 chip, Mountain Lion 10.8, Thunderbolt to FW800 external drive

A-Cam: Panasonic HMC-152 camera, record setting 720p, files recorded to SDHC card

B-Cam: Panasonic GX1, 720p, files recorded to SDHC card

I have used this version of FCP to transcode many hours of footage from the HMC-152 camera, from a quad-core 15" MacBook Pro, and using Lion. I have not used this new setup (10.8, MBA, etc.) before, but the operating system via Quicktime recognises and can play the files perfectly. However, FCP does not recognise them (from the Log and Transfer window; trying to import crashes the program).

But the OS does recognise the files, and they play perfectly. If I try to Export from QT, I can export the GX1 files, but when I use the same approach to Export the HMC-152 files, the process almost completes (and the processing bar looks sensible, a 6GB file taking about three minutes to export) but after the last "5 seconds" notification, QT gives the error message "cannot complete export".

I realise that there are many variables here, but all suggestions gratefully received. I am trying for an ultra-light setup that I can travel with, and only to make HD YouTube clips.

Can anyone recommend a good AVCHD converter, please, if no one can assist with the above problem; I need to get this footage into FCP!

All suggestions very gratefully received.

Use ClipWrap. Voltaic HD also works, but is incredibly slow.


www.derekmok.com

There is Panasonic's own free AVCCAM Importer.

Dennis Couzin
Berlin, Germany

@dcouzin: thanks for that—I could not find that utility despite spending an hour on Panasonic's site (and being a PASS member, too).

Downloading that now.

@derekmok: thanks: I bought ClickWrap in the meantime, and it works perfectly. I used its "convert to ProRes 422 LT" and it works quickly and (this is the best part), the tiny MBA with FCP 7.0.3 works perfectly. As well, a USB 3 LaCie drive is fast enough for this footage, too, so for the very first time I have a truly portable editing suite (well, good enough for HD YouTube clips, for sure).

Thanks everyone; it's good to be back!