Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Importing videos and photos to a computer

Q.
What is “Content analysis,” and why it performed automatically?
A.
By analyzing videos and photos after they are imported to a computer, you can use the “Face Search” function or the “Show Expanded Thumbnails” function.
The “Face Search” function allows you to search videos and photos for a specific person's face.
The “Show Expanded Thumbnails” function allows you to display videos as thumbnail images by recording time.

In the initial settings, content analysis is performed automatically after you import videos and photos recorded on your camera to a computer using PMB.
If you want to stop automatic analysis, follow the procedure below to change the settings.

1 Select [Settings] in the [Tools] menu.

2 Select [Content analysis], and put a check in the [Do not start analysis after importing media files] checkbox in [Analysis start].

Hint

  • If you want to analyze videos that have not been analyzed yet, select [Analyze All Unanalyzed Media Files] in the [Tools] menu.
Q.
Videos and photos that have already been imported to the computer are imported again and again.
A.
If the [Import all media files] checkbox in [Import method] is checked in the import settings, all videos and photos recorded are imported to the computer when you connect your camera to the computer.
Put a check in the [Import only media files that have not been imported] checkbox or in the [Select media files to import] checkbox.



You can display the import settings window by using either of the following two methods.
  • Click [Change] in [Import Settings] in the video/photo import window displayed when you connect your camera to the computer.
  • Select [Settings] - [Import] in the [Tools] menu.
Q.
Can I import videos and photos recorded on the camera to an external hard disk drive using PMB?
A.
Yes.
Select [Settings] - [Import] in the [Tools] menu, and select an external hard disk drive recognized by the computer in [Import media files to].
For how to change the destination folder, see this.
Q.
Videos and photos recorded on the camcorder cannot be imported to PMB.
A.
Depending on the model of camcorder you are using, you must select a USB connection when importing videos and photos from your camcorder to a computer.
When you connect your camcorder to a computer, select the recording medium where the videos or photos you want to import are saved in the [USB SELECT] screen displayed on the screen of your camcorder.
For how to connect your camcorder to a computer, refer to the supplied Operating Guide.
Q.
When I import videos to the computer, the imported video files are divided.
A.
When the file size of a video exceeds 2 GB during recording, the file will be divided automatically.
(These files can be played back continuously as one file on your camera.)
You can combine these videos by importing them to the computer using PMB.

Notes

  • Divided videos are combined only when the NTFS or exFAT file system is used on your computer. If the FAT32 file system is used on your computer, divided videos cannot be combined. You can check the file system you are using in the properties of the destination drive. For how to change the file system, please contact the manufacturer of your computer.
    (Backing up of your data is recommended before changing file system, because the existing data may be lost.)
  • When you import divided video files to a computer using commercially available video-editing software, the audio may be corrupted. Use PMB to import files to the computer even when you use commercially available software for editing.

Viewing videos and photos

Q.
Videos and photos saved on the computer cannot be viewed in PMB.
A.
If you want to use PMB to view videos and photos saved without using PMB, you must use PMB to specify the folder where the videos and photos are saved.
By specifying the folder, you can manage videos and photos in that folder and all its sub folders with PMB.
For how to specify folders, see this.
Q.
Cannot view videos and photos saved on an external hard disk drive in PMB.
A.
If you want to view videos and photos in PMB, you must use PMB to specify the folder where the videos and photos are saved.
Select [Add Folders] in the [File] menu, and select an external hard disk drive recognized by the computer in the window displayed.
When the folder is specified in PMB, videos and photos in the folder are added to the database.
For how to specify folders, see this.
Q.
Can I change folder names or file names in PMB?
A.
Yes.
To change a folder name, right-click the desired folder, and select [Rename Folder].
To change a file name, right-click the desired file, and select [Rename File].
Q.
What is Map View?
A.
Map View is a function that enables you to display the recording locations of videos or photos that have location information on the online map.
Also, when a video or photo does not have location information, you can determine a location and save that location information on the map.
(Maps are powered by Google Inc.)

Hint

  • You can add location information to videos and photos when recording them by using cameras equipped with a GPS function or an optional GPS unit kit.

For details on this operation, see this.

Editing videos and photos

Q.
What kind of editing or adjustments can be performed using PMB?
A.
The following editing and adjustments can be performed for videos and photos.

Photos:
  • Inserting a date
  • Correcting brightness and contrast
  • Trimming/resizing
  • Red-eye reduction
  • Correcting saturation
  • Adjusting sharpness
  • Adjusting brightness with the tone curve

Videos:
  • Trimming and combining of AVCHD format videos, videos recorded in 1080/60p or 1080/50p, or MPEG-2 format videos

    Note

    • Editing operations, such as adding effects to the point where a scene changes, cannot be performed.
  • Capturing still images
  • Changing formats (converting to WMV format, etc.)

Note

  • Depending on the camera you are using, editing operations that can be performed are different, and some editing operations may not be supported.
Q.
Can I insert date stamps into multiple photos at one time in PMB?
A.
You can insert a date stamp into only one photo and then save each photo one by one with PMB. Also, you cannot edit multiple photos at one time.
For how to inserting date stamps to photos, see this.

If you want to print photos with a date stamp, you can select multiple photos and print them with the date stamp all at one time.
For details on the operation, see this.
Q.
Can I combine videos using PMB?
A.
You can combine multiple AVCHD format videos, multiple videos recorded in 1080/60p or 1080/50p, or multiple MPEG-2 format videos using PMB.
Videos saved in other formats cannot be combined.
If you want to combine videos other than those recorded in AVCHD format, in 1080/60p or 1080/50p format, or in MPEG-2 format, commercially available video-editing software is required.

For details on the files that can be combined, see this.

Manipulating videos and photos

Q.
Can I copy (back up) videos and photos imported to a computer using PMB to an external hard disk drive?
A.
Yes.
Copy image files not by file, but by folder to an external hard disk drive.

Note

  • If you back up files by selecting each file in a folder, the file information may not be restored properly. Be sure to back up your data by copying videos and photos by folder.

1 In the main window, select [Settings] in the [Tools] menu.
The settings window is displayed.

2 Select [Add Folders], and confirm that the folder is recognized by PMB.
Folders with a check mark are recognized by PMB.

3 Click [Cancel] to close the setting window.

4 Display the folder you confirmed in step 2 with Explorer, and drag and drop it to the external hard disk drive.

Hint

  • If you drag and drop the folder to another folder on the same drive, the folder will not be copied but moved.
    To copy (back up) the folder and still retain the original folder, press and hold down the [Ctrl] key, and drag and drop the folder to the destination folder.
    For other copy or move operations, check the Windows operating procedures.

Others

Q.
Is there an instruction booklet for PMB?
A.
An instruction booklet for PMB is not supplied.
You can see how to use PMB in “PMB Help” or “PMB Help on the Web,” by selecting the [Help] menu in PMB.