Lumix ZS3/TZ7 - AVCHD Issues

[drummerboy]

Ok, I got my camera 2 weeks ago (bought in Hong Kong), and I need help badly! This is so frustrating, I hope anyone takes time to read this lengthy post. So here, I got a few questions:

1. Does AVCHD Lite have a default format? (i.e. PAL or NTSC; or it's not TV-system specific when written to the camera). I tried playing the file on my PS3 and NTSC TV, and it came out as flickering/black and white.

2. When using PhotoFun Studio (the software that comes with the camera), and acquired the files, this message popped up: "Removed from items to be acquired because it contains AVCHD Lite movie in a different TV system." Does this mean that the CD that was bundled with my camera isn't compatible with my camera?

3. When I opened up PhotoFun's PDF manual, it said that the only accepted file types for AVCHD are .MT2S and .CONT. But, the file created when making a video has an extension of .MTS. So how can I edit or view these videos in PhotoFun? (I tried pointing on the .MTS file but it gave me the message, "Select a file compatible with AVCHD Lite editing and try editing. Only AVCHD Lite movies stored on the hard disk can be edited with AVCHD Lite.")

I tried googling for answers but to no avail. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[Larry Ikon]

Ok, I got my camera 2 weeks ago (bought in Hong Kong), and I need help badly! This is so frustrating, I hope anyone takes time to read this lengthy post. So here, I got a few questions:

1. Does AVCHD Lite have a default format? (i.e. PAL or NTSC; or it's not TV-system specific when written to the camera). I tried playing the file on my PS3 and NTSC TV, and it came out as flickering/black and white.

2. When using PhotoFun Studio (the software that comes with the camera), and acquired the files, this message popped up: "Removed from items to be acquired because it contains AVCHD Lite movie in a different TV system." Does this mean that the CD that was bundled with my camera isn't compatible with my camera?

3. When I opened up PhotoFun's PDF manual, it said that the only accepted file types for AVCHD are .MT2S and .CONT. But, the file created when making a video has an extension of .MTS. So how can I edit or view these videos in PhotoFun? (I tried pointing on the .MTS file but it gave me the message, "Select a file compatible with AVCHD Lite editing and try editing. Only AVCHD Lite movies stored on the hard disk can be edited with AVCHD Lite.")

I tried googling for answers but to no avail. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

This is the same exact issue I am experiencing! Purchased my ZS3 from Hong Kong and was wondering if the camera itself may be PAL format, but it takes excellent HD video in non AVCHD mode. PLEASE let me know what might be the problem???

[Larry Ikon]

Checking with panasonic to determine if the Hong Kong version of ZS3 takes avchd video in PAL format and if so, will there be a firmware fix or if we're just out of luck! Hope they reply!:eek:

[horrendo]

I don't suppose it is as simple as installing the latest firmware from the Panasonic (US) website? I'd be pretty sure the TV format is a software/firmware thing rather than hardware.

I can't imagine there would be any physical difference between a camera supplied to the HK market vs. US.

Let us know what happens. I may soon be in a similar situation (buying camera from US, live in Australia).

Cheers,

H

[Larry Ikon]

I just installed Panasonic Firmware update ver 1.1 and will also re-install the packaged software on my computer to be 100% certain I did not error on install. Have not heard back from Panasonic team yet. Will see how it goes and advise.

I agree that the hardware should be the same. Also, my camera says DMC-ZS3 and not DMC-TZ7 which would have really worried me! We'll see what happens as I test later this evening.

[Larry Ikon]

No luck! Installed PHOTOfunSTUDIO to desktop PC the plugged in Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 (Hong Kong purchased) and got the following error message:
"Removed from items to be acquired because it contains AVCHD Lite movie in a different TV system."

This is after applying the 1.1 version firmware update successfully to the ZS3. This leads me to conclude that I, and I assume countless others that simply could not wait for the U.S. release, must now wait for Panasonic to issue a firmware fix. How happy should I be about that?

Hope others will read and make suggestions.

[Larry Ikon]

Warning! DO NOT BUY DMC-ZS3 from HONG KONG!!!

Panasonic replied to me via email as follows:

Dear MR IKON

Thank you for your inquiry!

Since you purchased the camera in Hong Kong, it only shoots in the PAL
system.

The software is not going to recognize the PAL system, especially if it
asked you to select your country at the beginning of the installation
process and you chose the US.

Unfortunately, this is not something that can be changed with a firmware
update.

Thank you for your interest in Panasonic products.

Thank You,
Panasonic Consumer Support

[horrendo]

So can you uninstall the software and reinstall it choosing Hong Kong as the country? I realise it doesn't get around the PAL vs NTSC issue but if you can at least edit the video on your computer you may be able to convert it as well (he says in complete ignorance).

H.

[Larry Ikon]

Very good question! Would have to first consider the difference between PAL and NTSC formats which primarily is resolution quality. PAL has fewer frames per second, but it also has more lines than NTSC. PAL contain 625 lines of resolution, compared to NTSC's 525. More lines usually means more visual information, which equals better picture quality and resolution one would think.

Issue is that these numbers relate to standard video and I don't know how they would apply to AVCHD resolution outcomes. Another issue would be would the PAL AVCHD video once converted to NTSC be degraded to a point that using the PAL AVCHD mode would not render video better than the non- AVCHD mode?

Panasonic gave the ZS3 two video modes knowing that AVCHD may not for all users be the preferred mode? Something to think about indeed. I have used the non-AVCHD mode with some absolutely delightful results. Will try your suggestion and reinstall software with PAL region to see what I get! Will try to get this done over the weekend...

Thanks again! - Larry Ikon

[horrendo]

There also seem to be other (non-free) software options for converting/editing video. Maybe one of those may be less picky.

[EDH]

Hi,

I just bought a TZ7 (Belgium, Europe).

I can record motion mpeg and avchd lite video with my camera.
I can also transfer the motion mpeg videos and play them in PhotoFunStudio.
However I can't get the avchd lite videos to play with that software.
I'm also getting the error: "Select a file compatible with AVCHD Lite editing and try editing. Only AVCHD Lite movies stored on the hard disk can be edited with AVCHD Lite.", although I selected an .mts file. :mad:

What could be the cause of this problem and how can I fix it ?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
EDH