In Log and Transfer I set in and out points, then when I add a clip to the playlist it changes to idle after a few seconds, and then eventually to an orange exclamation mark.

This has been talked about in several forums but I've not seen the solution.

I'm using Final Cut Express, I've trashed the preferences folders and re-started. One clip will work, then the next one will go idle.

The raw files are AVCHD from a Panasonic HMC150 camera.

How can I determine what format I shot in after the fact? I know I need to set FCE to the same format. Can it detect on it's own?

Thanks for any help!

It could be a variety of problems but first you want to be sure it isn't a physical issue. Connect the camera with a different cable. Who knows, it could be as simple as this.

I have a camera that you need to transfer the files first to a hard drive or crazy stuff can happen during the Log and Transfer process. For some reason it will sometimes blank out during Log and Transfer but not during a file transfer. I can get errors or very short copies of long files. Other cameras don't do this. You have to copy the entire folder structure not just the video files themselves.

I moved the original AVCHD raw files from the card to my computer. I'm logging and transfering from there and not directly from the Camera. That way I can archive the whole take in a smaller space. Good idea? Bad idea?

Thanks,dk