iMac not recognizing camcorder?

[JBaker122586]

I just purchased a JVC GR-DA30U. It's a miniDV camcorder.
However, when I use a 4-pin to 6-pin firewire cable to connect it to my computer, nothing happens. I have the camcorder on and set in "Play" mode, yet it isn't recognized in iMovie, nor does the device appear anywhere on the desktop.

I'm running a 2.4 GHz alu iMac with Leopard and iLife '08.

Anybody have ANY clue what the problem might be?
Thanks in advance.

 

[bigbossbmb]

the device wouldn't show up on the desktop if it was working....

if you set the camera on REC mode and open ichat, does it allow you to use the cam as a webcam? if so, then it's an iMovie problem.

if not, then it's most likely a FW cable/camera problem.

 

[JBaker122586]

Well I tried what you said using iChat, and it worked temporarily.
I then screwed around with the camera, off and on, unplugged and plugged in, and got it to work again, and this time it showed up in iMovie.
Then it stopped again.
This made it pretty clear to me that the problem is either with the cable or the camera.

I bought the camera from Wal-Mart 2 days ago, and the cable from Apple Retail just today, so I guess I'll just take the camera and cable into the Apple Store tomorrow and have them try my camera with another cable and my cable with another camera to see where the issue is.
Does this sound like something they'd usually be cool with helping out?

 

[bigbossbmb]

definitely, the apple store is a great place to work out those kind of issues.

 

[Artful Dodger]

FWIW my JVC miniDV cam doesn't "show" on my desktop either. When I open iMovie, turn on the JVC and have it in play mode I go to the area on iMovie where the small camera/scissors are on the bottom left. I have to move the button to the camera symbol and click on my JVC-GR97. Then click import and it starts to work.
I'm sure you do the same thing but I've never had my JVC show on my desktop or anywhere like a camera or thumb drive would.

Good luck and as stated the Apple Store is/can be great help when you have one close by…