Can't edit HD video

[jmayoff]

I got an HD camcorder a little while ago, a Samsung SC-HMX10A, but I can't seem to edit the video. iMovie '08 takes forever to load and then is virtually impossible to work with. Same thing with just about any other editing software I try on Mac or Windows. I'm using a 17" iMac with 2G ram, Intel Core 2 2Ghz. I'm using Leopard and Vista (dual booted with boot camp.) The video is recorded as MP4.

http://tinyurl.com/SC-HMX10a

Any suggestions? It's very frustrating getting this great new camera but then not being able to edit any of the video.

[edDV]

Simple answer is the Samsung line isn't supported directly by iMovie'08 or most any other editing software. It outputs H.264 (MPEG-4.AVC) but not in a format accepted by most editors. Even AVCHD has loose standards.

It ships with proprietary software (CyberLink DVD Suite ?) but that only works with Windows.

Samsung intends this product for the gadget market and doesn't expect customers to be editing the video except in the supplied software.

Can you convert the file to something iMovie'08 will accept (e.g. AVCHD or MPeg2)? That is an exercise left to the buyer. I'd start a Google search or try the Cyberlink software with a PC Parallels or VMWare boot.