External HD. Transfering Files

[bushman91]

Well I'm making the switch on Tuesday and picking up a 15inch powerbook. I am planning on getting a external HD prob around 160gb to store all of my digital video's. I am going to want to back up my entire collection of miniDV video on this drive that I would like to burn to DVD or save.

How would you set up this external drive with my new mac? Just make a folder with all the captured fotage, or will iMovie or final cut do everything for me and be smart enough to look for the files there.

I am currently on this PC with some music and some photos/psd's that i would like to transfer to the mac. I am currently using itunes with my ipod mini. I am thinking about wiping my ipod and just transfering files that way with the pictures.

What would be the best way to transfer my itunes library. I assume I can take the itunes data file and xml file to the mac to keep all my song names and ratings in tacked. but those files hold location on what song to play which is different on the mac?, file path. also transfer my music the same way it looks on the mac so it reconizes it.

I guess I could just transfer all files and just reimport them but if im not wrong i would have to re-rate them?

also if i want the music and pictures would itunes/ipod/iphoto reconize it.

..any thoughts or sugestions?

 

[spinne1]

http://www.apple.com/switch/howto/

 

[AJ Muni]

hey bush man...u said miniDV...is that the type of camcorder that records on lil dvd's??? cuz if it is...i have a sony dvd handy cam, and it wasnt compatible with apple...it was a big bummer cuz macs are the best for video editing/media.

 

[iMeowbot]

hey bush man...u said miniDV...is that the type of camcorder that records on lil dvd's??? cuz if it is...i have a sony dvd handy cam, and it wasnt compatible with apple...it was a big bummer cuz macs are the best for video editing/media.

Don't most of those cameras have FireWire ports on them? Does it work to transfers into iMovie or whatever from that?

 

[PrOeliuM]

hey bush man...u said miniDV...is that the type of camcorder that records on lil dvd's??? cuz if it is...i have a sony dvd handy cam, and it wasnt compatible with apple...it was a big bummer cuz macs are the best for video editing/media.

I think you're talking about DVD camcorders, minidv uses tape looking devices: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/feature/-/512598/002-1205820-5195200 has a list of the formats. As far as I know, people are able to transfer minidv files from the cam to the mac over firewire without too much hassle.