Sony Handycam USB Connection on Mac?

[aznspyder]

Hey guys!

I tried to plug in my Sony Handycam via USB and it's not being recognized at all in my Mac. iMovie didn't turn up anything either. Anyone have any ideas besides buying the firewire cable for it?

[tdhurst]

Video software from Apple only recognizes camcorders with fw connections.
Why?

Firewire is MUCH better at sustaining data transfer, so the possibility of dropped frames is reduced considerably.

[VanMac]

Yup, you need firewire as stated. Cables are not that expensive, so no worries mate.

[ehurtley]

Hey guys!

I tried to plug in my Sony Handycam via USB and it's not being recognized at all in my Mac. iMovie didn't turn up anything either. Anyone have any ideas besides buying the firewire cable for it?

As has been said, you need a FireWire cable.

On the Sonys, the USB only lets you transfer still pictures or low-quality MPEG videos off the memory stick, even on a PC, it won't let you transfer DV video over USB. (Depending on the model of Handicam, it might support 'live USB streaming' where it will act as a webcam, but Apple supports that over FireWire so you don't actually lose that.)

[Aliquis]

And there is so much more you can do (speedwise) with firewire, - transferring pics is faster, etc.

Secondly, if you have one of the previous iPods, they came with a 6pin to 4pin firewire adapter. If you have one of these you can just use (or buy) a regular 6to6 pin firewire cable which you can later use for networking two macs together, or an external firewire drive, etc. and then just use the adapter for your camera.

Voila!

[godfather911]

I have a sony handycam model dvd803, it only has a usb II port no firewire or dv out. how can i connect it to my mac? anyone know?

[lilstewart]

I have a sony handycam model dvd803, it only has a usb II port no firewire or dv out. how can i connect it to my mac? anyone know?
I think your screwed :eek:

[ITASOR]

If it's the one that records to the Mini DVD's then there isn't any other way to connect it to iMovie than getting an RCA --> Firewire box. I used a Miglia Directors Cut II to get video from one into iMovie.

[lilstewart]

If it's the one that records to the Mini DVD's then there isn't any other way to connect it to iMovie than getting an RCA --> Firewire box. I used a Miglia Directors Cut II to get video from one into iMovie.
...or that ;) :D

[ehurtley]

I have a sony handycam model dvd803, it only has a usb II port no firewire or dv out. how can i connect it to my mac? anyone know?

DVD camcorders are HORRIBLE if you want to edit your video. If you just want to burn to DVD, and be done with it, they're great. But if you ever want to do any editing, you're in trouble.

First, I hope you don't have a slot-load DVD drive on your Mac. If you do, then you'll need an external DVD drive to read the disc.

Then, you'll need to put the mini-DVD into your tray-load DVD drive, and use a program like Handbrake to import it into your computer. I'd recommend having it transcode to DV, as that's the format iMovie is most friendly with. (It's also the largest, as it's pure uncompressed video.)

[SaleenS351]

didn't want to start a new thread, please don't flame for bringing up an old post. I recieved a handycam dvd recorder and i was wandering if i do get the RCA firwire box will i still be able to import into imovie and edit the same as with a camera that uses tapes? I hope i'm not screwed with this camera.

[ehurtley]

didn't want to start a new thread, please don't flame for bringing up an old post. I recieved a handycam dvd recorder and i was wandering if i do get the RCA firwire box will i still be able to import into imovie and edit the same as with a camera that uses tapes? I hope i'm not screwed with this camera.

Correct, if you use an RCA-to-FireWire converter, then it doesn't matter what the original format is. You can use one of those to convert an old Betamax video tape. As long as your device has standard RCA out jacks. (Or can with a supplied cable, as most Sony camcorders use.)

So you're just a little screwed. :-)

In general, DVD camcorders are great if you don't want to edit; you just take out the disc, and pop it in grandpa's DVD player. But they suck when you want to edit. MiniDV camcorders are great when you want to edit, but you have to send them through the computer if you want to play them on a TV. (Unless you want to always use the TV-Out on the camcorder.)

[kevindosi]

i have a sony handycam dcr-hc32 and realize that i must use a firewire cable to transfer video to my mac. i bought a 6-4 pin firewire cable but don't know where to hook it up. i cant figure out where to plug it in, can anyone help?

[bearda]

i have a sony handycam dcr-hc32 and realize that i must use a firewire cable to transfer video to my mac. i bought a 6-4 pin firewire cable but don't know where to hook it up. i cant figure out where to plug it in, can anyone help?

From what I understand it's on the clear plastic doc that came with the camera. Can't seem to find out much more from there, though.

Andrew Beard

[ehurtley]

i have a sony handycam dcr-hc32 and realize that i must use a firewire cable to transfer video to my mac. i bought a 6-4 pin firewire cable but don't know where to hook it up. i cant figure out where to plug it in, can anyone help?

bearda's right. That model only has the FireWire connector on the dock. Sony calls it an 'i.Link' port.

[nutmac]

I am just guessing here but since DVD camcorders record MPEG-2, maybe Apple's MPEG-2 Playback (http://www.apple.com/quicktime/mpeg2/) QuickTime component will do the trick? Import MPEG-2 video from the DVD, export to DV or MPEG-4, and finally, import it into iMovie?

[howesey]

[QUOTE=ehurtley (Depending on the model of Handicam, it might support 'live USB streaming' where it will act as a webcam, but Apple supports that over FireWire so you don't actually lose that.)[/QUOTE]
They also support USB for webcams, since iSight went USB I guess. :rolleyes:

[chemicalbill]

I've had pretty good success using MPEG Streamclip + Quicktime MPEG-2 Component ($20 from Apple store) to extract video from DVDs from my Sony DVD92 camcorder.

I use a tray loading firewire DVD drive to copy the VIDEO_TS folder to the desktop from the mini DVD. In the Streamclip preferences check "fix streams with data breaks" to maintain the audio synchronization. Then, open all the VOB files in the VIDEO_TS folder and "fix time code breaks", command-F, to merge all the files. Finally, export to DV, MPEG-4, etc.

I'm pretty pleased with the results except for some accelerated video in the transition between some files which lasts for a second or two.

[Yetra]

I have a problem i don't know how to connect my Sony Handy Cam CCD-TRV57 to iMovie HD on my minimac. I dont know what type of cable i should buy fo it since all it has on the camera is an audio and video plugs (Yellow and Black Hole). It won't recognize my camera at all. Please help immediatly for a college project.


Thank YOu

[ehurtley]

I have a problem i don't know how to connect my Sony Handy Cam CCD-TRV57 to iMovie HD on my minimac. I dont know what type of cable i should buy fo it since all it has on the camera is an audio and video plugs (Yellow and Black Hole). It won't recognize my camera at all. Please help immediatly for a college project.


Thank YOu

You're using an 'analog' camcorder, one that stores its video much the same way as an old cassette tapes store audio. Current Macs don't have any built-in way to import analog video. You would need a device that plugs in to your computer to let it import analog video. Many 'TV tuner' devices (like EyeTV (http://www.elgato.com)) work for this, as do dedicated 'RCA to FireWire' boxes. (Which tend to cost more.)

The yellow and black plugs you're talking about are called 'RCA plugs', the yellow one carries video, the black one carries (mono/1-channel) audio. You would get an 'RCA video' cable which would have yellow, red, and white connections on each end, and plug the yellow into yellow, and the white plug into the black hole on your camcorder. Then you'd plug the other end into the same colors on your video input box (wether it's FireWire or USB-based.) If it's a FireWire converter box, iMovie will natively know what to do with it (it will think it's a video camera,) if it's USB (or even a FireWire TV tuner,) you'll have to use the supplied software.

By comparison, newer 'DV' camcorders store their video as digital data, which can be copied to the computer as direct digital data over the FireWire port. It's similar in concept to a CD (although if you're familiar with 'DAT', that would be a better analogy,) in that it's just on/off bits stored on the tape (or disc for CD,) not a varying magnetic field.

[Yetra]

I dont understand how eyeTV would work? Thank you for the help.

[Yetra]

would i get eye tv and then use a usb cord?

[balamw]

I dont understand how eyeTV would work? Thank you for the help.
You need eyeTV or something similar to convert the analog video signals from your camcorder to digital so that iMovie can process the video.

Anything that translates from composite video (yellow, red and white RCA) to DV/FireWire/iLink/IEEE1394 would do the job.

EDIT: Another option I keep bringing up is that you can use most DV camcorders as an analog/DV brige, even those that are otherwise broken. You can get good deals on eBay.

B

[ehurtley]

You need eyeTV or something similar to convert the analog video signals from your camcorder to digital so that iMovie can process the video.

Anything that translates from composite video (yellow, red and white RCA) to DV/FireWire/iLink/IEEE1394 would do the job.

EDIT: Another option I keep bringing up is that you can use most DV camcorders as an analog/DV brige, even those that are otherwise broken. You can get good deals on eBay.

B

Unfortunately, older Sonys can NOT act as an analog/DV bridge. (Such as mine, a DCR-PC100.)

[balamw]

Unfortunately, older Sonys can NOT act as an analog/DV bridge. (Such as mine, a DCR-PC100.)
Define older. ;) Mine, a DCR-TRV11 from 2001 can. You could always record to DV first and play from that.

B

[ehurtley]

Define older. ;) Mine, a DCR-TRV11 from 2001 can. You could always record to DV first and play from that.

B

Well, fine.. I guess I consider a 2001 model 'newer'... :p (Mine's from 1999.)

[dejo]

EDIT: Another option I keep bringing up is that you can use most DV camcorders as an analog/DV brige, even those that are otherwise broken. You can get good deals on eBay.

That's a great option that I use frequently. In fact, I bought my particular Sony Digital HandyCam (DCR-TRV17) because it had that particular feature. If you go this route, make sure the camera has an analog-to-digital passthrough convertor. Without the passthrough part, you'd have to capture your footage from the analog source onto DV tape and then playback from the tape and out through the FireWire.

[Yetra]

Is there a way to convert a 8mm video cassette to a mini DV cassette? If so please tell me because I just bought a new Canon ZR 500.:confused: :p

[ehurtley]

Is there a way to convert a 8mm video cassette to a mini DV cassette? If so please tell me because I just bought a new Canon ZR 500.:confused: :p

Yes. Put the recorded 8mm tape in your 8mm camcorder, and a blank tape in your DV camcorder. Plug the video output of your 8mm camcorder into the video input of your DV camcorder. Put both into 'VCR' or 'playback' mode. Hit play on the 8mm, and record on the DV. Wait the length of your movie. Done.

That's it. If you no longer have an 8mm camcorder, then you'll have to take it to a video production shop that does this sort of stuff.

[Rickay726]

the usb connection is only used for transfering photos with the handycam. You need to go to compusa and get yourself a firewire cable, i have a handycam and had the same problem.

[KLR]

As has been said, you need a FireWire cable.

On the Sonys, the USB only lets you transfer still pictures or low-quality MPEG videos off the memory stick, even on a PC, it won't let you transfer DV video over USB. (Depending on the model of Handicam, it might support 'live USB streaming' where it will act as a webcam, but Apple supports that over FireWire so you don't actually lose that.)

I have a Sony DCR-DVD301 miniDVD handycam with no firewire connection and a new MacBook Pro 15". How do I transfer the video from the miniDVD's into my Mac?

[tdhurst]

I have a Sony DCR-DVD301 miniDVD handycam with no firewire connection and a new MacBook Pro 15". How do I transfer the video from the miniDVD's into my Mac?

Whatever you do, DO NOT PUT THE MINI DVD INTO YOUR SLOT LOADING DRIVE.

Besides that...you need proprietary sony software and a tray loading drive.

[KLR]

Whatever you do, DO NOT PUT THE MINI DVD INTO YOUR SLOT LOADING DRIVE.

Besides that...you need proprietary sony software and a tray loading drive.

Couldn't I just use an RCA to FireWire converter box (which I could also use to convert old videocassettes) and avoid getting the tray loading drive and software from Sony?

[balamw]

Couldn't I just use an RCA to FireWire converter box (which I could also use to convert old videocassettes) and avoid getting the tray loading drive and software from Sony?
You might as well since that's a shorter path to iMovie, which doesn't handle MPEG-2/DVD input very well... Although you end up doing the digital to analog to digital dance...

B

[ehurtley]

I have a Sony DCR-DVD301 miniDVD handycam with no firewire connection and a new MacBook Pro 15". How do I transfer the video from the miniDVD's into my Mac?

If you have a tray-load external DVD drive, you can put the miniDVD in there, and use software like HandBrake to rip it to DV format. (I'm on the road, and don't have a DVD handy, so I can't double check, but I think HandBrake can rip to DV... If not, try MactheRipper or FortyTwo or some similar utility.)

[balamw]

If you have a tray-load external DVD drive, you can put the miniDVD in there, and use software like HandBrake to rip it to DV format. (I'm on the road, and don't have a DVD handy, so I can't double check, but I think HandBrake can rip to DV... If not, try MactheRipper or FortyTwo or some similar utility.)
mpeg streamclip and DVDxDV are the two utilities most commonly referred to for this operation.

B

[ehurtley]

mpeg streamclip and DVDxDV are the two utilities most commonly referred to for this operation.

B

Last I checked, MPEG Streamclip wasn't Universal. Is it finally? And I hadn't heard of DVDxDV. That sounds like the perfect utility!

[balamw]

Version 1.7 of streamclip is universal (http://www.squared5.com/svideo/mpeg-streamclip-mac.html). I don't know about DVDxDV.

B

[ivymain]

As has been said, you need a FireWire cable.

On the Sonys, the USB only lets you transfer still pictures or low-quality MPEG videos off the memory stick, even on a PC, it won't let you transfer DV video over USB. (Depending on the model of Handicam, it might support 'live USB streaming' where it will act as a webcam, but Apple supports that over FireWire so you don't actually lose that.)


I see from the discussion that the USB cable is useless and I need a firewire cable to connect my Handycam DCR-HC30 to my iMac. But in looking at the camera, the other ports are labeled DV, A/V and LANC. Would any of these accept a firewire cable?

Sorry if I sound stupid; I'm new to this.

[balamw]

But in looking at the camera, the other ports are labeled DV, A/V and LANC. Would any of these accept a firewire cable?
DV or iLink is what you are looking for on a Sony. Should take a 4 pin FireWire cable.

EDIT: Should look something like this:
http://www.digitalvideocameras.co.nz/images/sony_features/iLink.jpg

B

[tdhurst]

I see from the discussion that the USB cable is useless and I need a firewire cable to connect my Handycam DCR-HC30 to my iMac. But in looking at the camera, the other ports are labeled DV, A/V and LANC. Would any of these accept a firewire cable?

Sorry if I sound stupid; I'm new to this.

DV refers to a four pin firewire connector, also referenced as iLink or IEEE1394.

Most "DV" cables are four pin (connect to the camera) to six pin (what most people would refer to as a "normal" firewire port on a Mac).

That make sense?

[ivymain]

Oh. In that case, Sony helpfully included a firewire cable. Thank you both very much. The next question is, where does it plug into the iMac? I don't see a port that looks right.

[ehurtley]

Oh. In that case, Sony helpfully included a firewire cable. Thank you both very much. The next question is, where does it plug into the iMac? I don't see a port that looks right.

Sony includes 4-pin connectors on all of their computers, so they probably included a 4-pin-to-4-pin cable. Apple uses 6-pin connectors on their computers. So you will need either a 6-pin-to-4-pin cable, or a 6-pin-to-6-pin cable plus a 6-pin-to-4-pin converter. (Often included with cables.) Unfortunately, I don't know of any that convert a 4-pin into a 6-pin.

Apple has a good article (http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=58207) on FireWire ports.

The FireWire port on your iMac looks like port 3 in the following picture:
http://a248.e.akamai.net/7/248/51/860601126803219/www.info.apple.com/images/kbase/88119/88119_2.gif

(This happens to be an iBook, Apple doesn't appear to have any pictures of the ports on an iMac on their website!)

Ah, here we go, snagged from the PDF 'iMac Technology Overview':

[patrickmdryan]

:confused: Help! New SONY Handycam 30GB - HD AVCHD

How do I connect this to my Mac? I need to connect for web conferencing and for imovie and so forth. So what's the trick?
It only appears to have USB and that serves to apparently the PC only.
Thanks everyone!
Patrick
patrickmdryan@comcast.net

[ehurtley]

Patrick, see your email.

For others: At present, the only way to edit AVCHD is to use the bundled software. Which is, sadly, Windows-only.

I fully expect iMovie '07 to include the ability to import and edit AVCHD when it is (likely) released in January. (I'm specifically waiting for then to buy an HD camcorder, just to see if iMovie gets AVCHD editing.)

[whenpaulsparks]

I'd recommend having it transcode to DV, as that's the format iMovie is most friendly with. (It's also the largest, as it's pure uncompressed video.)

Correction: DV isn't uncompressed. it's intraframe compressed, as opposed to MPEG-2/4's interframe compression. uncompressed raw DV-sized video would be well in excess of 100Mbps.

[Hollan]

Hey guys!

I tried to plug in my Sony Handycam via USB and it's not being recognized at all in my Mac. iMovie didn't turn up anything either. Anyone have any ideas besides buying the firewire cable for it?

You need to open it up and tell it to connect to your mac, it works just like an external hard drive

[ehurtley]

You need to open it up and tell it to connect to your mac, it works just like an external hard drive

uh......

You do realize that this thread is over two years old, and that the answer has long since been answered, right?

[brrkelly]

I got a sony handy cam for XMAS and am using a Macbook. I have a 4-6 pin fire wire cable, but when connected, nothing happens, on the Mac or the Handy cam. It is a a MiniDV handycam dcr hc28. Am I missing something?

[tdhurst]

I got a sony handy cam for XMAS and am using a Macbook. I have a 4-6 pin fire wire cable, but when connected, nothing happens, on the Mac or the Handy cam. It is a a MiniDV handycam dcr hc28. Am I missing something?

Well, what would you like to happen? It to become sentient? Make you breakfast? Import video? Do a little soft shoe?

;)

[brrkelly]

Well, what would you like to happen? It to become sentient? Make you breakfast? Import video? Do a little soft shoe?

;)


Breakfast yes. Import video into Imovie would be even better

[gauchogolfer]

Breakfast yes. Import video into Imovie would be even better

Have you followed the instructions in the camcorder manual for connecting to a computer? Usually it involves putting the camera in VCR mode or something similar. Also, some cameras don't have auto-sensing that a cable is plugged in, and so you may have to manually activate the FireWire port.

[tdhurst]

I plug everything in, turn on the camera, switch it to vcr, then launch iMovie. Should work from there.

[Sopheebs]

I have a handycam DCR-HC19E and can't get my mac G4 to recognize it via usb. I'm getting a macbook air soon though... will this be more likely to recognize the camcorder? or do i still need to buy a different cable, i.e. firewire, and if so, which one? Sony have been v. unhelpful... their 'contact us' page is a broken link.

[ehurtley]

I have a handycam DCR-HC19E and can't get my mac G4 to recognize it via usb. I'm getting a macbook air soon though... will this be more likely to recognize the camcorder? or do i still need to buy a different cable, i.e. firewire, and if so, which one? Sony have been v. unhelpful... their 'contact us' page is a broken link.

That is an old fashioned standard definition "mini DV" camcorder. mini DV camcorders on OS X are only supported when connected via FireWire, regardless of your computer. Buy a FireWire cable, plug it in, turn on the camera, and open up iMovie.

The FireWire cable you want is a 6-pin to 4-pin cable. The 4-pin end is a small plug that goes into the camcorder, the 6-pin end is a bigger end that goes into the computer.

[Sopheebs]

I spy a problem here if I'm getting a MacBook Air which doesn't have a firewire port. Surprising seeing as how Apple seems to be in love with firewire. Is there any other way of connecting a firewire cable?

[tdhurst]

I spy a problem here if I'm getting a MacBook Air which doesn't have a firewire port. Surprising seeing as how Apple seems to be in love with firewire. Is there any other way of connecting a firewire cable?

No...sounds like a macbook air isn't a great choice if you're planning on editing digital video. Have you seen the benchmarks?

[ehurtley]

Well, if you're upgrading from a PowerPC, and are also planning on buying an AVCHD camcorder, the MacBook Air would work just fine. (I specify upgrading from PowerPC simply because all but the 1.5 GHz Core Solo Mac mini would be at least equal in speed to the MacBook Air.)

[tdhurst]

Well, if you're upgrading from a PowerPC, and are also planning on buying an AVCHD camcorder, the MacBook Air would work just fine. (I specify upgrading from PowerPC simply because all but the 1.5 GHz Core Solo Mac mini would be at least equal in speed to the MacBook Air.)

I suppose. Is this your only computer?

[Sopheebs]

Just had a look at the benchmarks and I'm a bit surprised. There doesn't seem much point in the MacBook Air - provided Apple are still going to update the old MacBooks. It's only fancy because it runs Leopard and has the touchpad but the new MacBooks now run Leopard too... so is it all just about the size of the machine? That's pretty pointless as all it means is fewer ports, less battery life and no DVD drive. Is there anything good about it?

[ehurtley]

Just had a look at the benchmarks and I'm a bit surprised. There doesn't seem much point in the MacBook Air - provided Apple are still going to update the old MacBooks. It's only fancy because it runs Leopard and has the touchpad but the new MacBooks now run Leopard too... so is it all just about the size of the machine? That's pretty pointless as all it means is fewer ports, less battery life and no DVD drive. Is there anything good about it?

To a decent number of people, size is enough.

If this machine had come out at the same time as the original 15" MacBook Pro at the beginning of 2006 (well, one with early 2006 specs, anyway,) I would have gotten this instead of the MacBook Pro. I was replacing a 12" PowerBook G4, and even if I had to accept a 1.5 GHz low-power Core Duo instead of the 2.0 GHz Core Duo, and a fixed 1 GB of RAM, I would have. (Although I would have preferred a 12.1" widescreen model.)

[Sopheebs]

If this machine had come out at the same time as the original 15" MacBook Pro at the beginning of 2006 (well, one with early 2006 specs, anyway,) I would have gotten this instead of the MacBook Pro.

As would I, but Apple move fast. I'm on a 2005 iBook G4 so anything is an upgrade for me, and if I could afford a desktop as well I would get an iMac AND an Air, because you're right, the portability is a huge selling point, but it's not enough of one for someone who's relying on it as their only computer. It was built to be used alongside one with a disk drive. I'll be buying a Pro because the package I need comes out at exactly the same price as the Air package, and although it's bulkier I could really do with the firewire port and disk drive. Also it's running a slightly newer version of Leopard than Air is although there's probably not much difference.

[naga05]

Hi all,

I'm in a spot of bad luck over here. Good thing there's this sort of forum, so maybe y'all can help me out a bit? :)

I've got a Sony DCR-HC30E and a 4-pin-to-6-pin FireWire cable, but when I plug them together and into my Macbook Pro, both Final Cut Pro and iMovie HD don't recognize the camera. I've already switched it on and set it to the Play/Edit function, which is the equivalent of the VTR/VCR mode.

I don't understand why it's not working, though, as I've used it plenty of times before and it's worked fine. However, maybe I should mention that I just bought the FireWire cable today, as I lost the original one that came with the camera quite recently.

Any help would be much appreciated, as I've got a company profile video to edit tonight and it's due in 6 hours :(

[jjostes89]

I have a Digital Handycam Digital8 DCR-TRV350 NTSC. I have a dv to firewire cable and it wont come up on my computer. i Was just wondering if i could put the video on my computer if it was on an 8mm tape or do i have to have a memory card. Or is there something totally different i would need?

:apple: Macbook 2.4 GHz Ipod touch 8 GB :apple:

[ehurtley]

I have a Digital Handycam Digital8 DCR-TRV350 NTSC. I have a dv to firewire cable and it wont come up on my computer. i Was just wondering if i could put the video on my computer if it was on an 8mm tape or do i have to have a memory card. Or is there something totally different i would need?

A Digital8 camcorder is basically the same as a MiniDV camcorer, only using the larger 8mm tapes. As such, it should act exactly the same to your computer as a MiniDV camcorder. Which means you need to open up an app that supports DV-in to import. It won't appear as a disk. iMovie is the standard video editing app. Just open up iMovie, then click "Import" (iMovie is also generally smart enough to open the Import dialog when you connect/turn on a supported camera.)

The memory card is only for still pictures. The memory card should appear as a disk; but again, it only stores stills. iPhoto should open when you attach that.

Note that the FireWire connection *ONLY* does video; and the USB connection (to a Mac,) *ONLY* does still photos (specifically, mounting the memory card as a disk.) Your model supports "USB Streaming", which means that it basically makes your camcorder appear as a webcam to the computer; but that is not supported by OS X. You have to turn that function off in the camera's menu to get the memory card to mount in the OS.

[bxf]

Hey, I have a MiniDV camera, Sony Handycam DCR-HC30, and a macbook. I bough the firewire cable, and Final Cut recognized the camera, and I was able to transfer the video, but there's no sound.... I tried iMovie, but it doesn't even recognize the camera... Can anyone help me?

[ehurtley]

Hey, I have a MiniDV camera, Sony Handycam DCR-HC30, and a macbook. I bough the firewire cable, and Final Cut recognized the camera, and I was able to transfer the video, but there's no sound.... I tried iMovie, but it doesn't even recognize the camera... Can anyone help me?

First, what version of FC and what version of iMovie?

Second, sort-of-obviously: If you play it back on the camcorder, does it have sound?

Third: Is it just that you can't hear sound as it is importing, or is it that after it is on the computer, when you play it back it has no sound?

If on the computer, again, rather obvious question, are your speakers muted? (Hey, it's amazing how many problems are solved by asking seemingly obvious questions...)

[bxf]

Thanks for answering me back!

- I have Final cut express HD, and iMovie '08 (7.1.4)
- The video has sound when I play it on my camcoder
- I can't hear sound after it has already been imported.... when I drag the video to the timeline on Final Cut, there's no sound track
- The speakers aren't muted... (I completely agree.... we have to ask the most obvious at first!)

[giaotze]

I tried to use the sony picture package through parallel to rip off the video, however I wasn't able to.
I should be able to, theoretically right?

Thanks for the help