Yeah I have the same - MacBook with Leopard - and a sony handycam from school. I plugged it in but had to wait for about half an hour for the videos to load up in the iMovie import window. I prefer the SD cameras I have used.
Don't put the mini-DVD in a slot-loading drive - it won't read it and you'll have a tough time getting it back out.
If the camera doesn't have a FW out port, then you need to find a tray-loading DVD drive to rip the file and then convert it to a format that iMovie can use. DVD-cams really aren't that great if you intend to edit the footage.
mini DV or HDV, either with FireWire. These two use the same media and produce the highest quality available to the consumer.I should had know that![]()
Bought my camera before my mac!!!
Which typo of camera do u recommend?
mini DV or HDV, either with FireWire. These two use the same media and produce the highest quality available to the consumer.
Me and my friend are trying import some footage into iMovie with her Sony Handycam but it wont show up on my MacBook and Im afraid to put the mini dvd in it. Any suggestions
Hey,
I've tried the exact same thing, and was real disappointed when I found out that there was no real way of "directly" importing footage from the DVD vid camera to the Macbook. Real bummer!
But I did my research and it might be similar to what someone else might have said but here's two things you can do:
1) Replace your camera with a Canon (I was told that some models are Mac-compatible) -- SONY and Apple usually don't mesh ... I should have thought of that before buying that DVD camcorder (HandyCam DCR-DVD108).
2) This is what I did --> If you have a PC, load all your video footage there and then transfer it to your mac. Convert your files using "iSquint". It's free though resolution isn't the best ... it works. iSquint does have a paid software too that I'm sure offers better quality ... but for those of us who like free stuff and are ok with settling for less ... than iSquint will do.
--> If your planning to make a movie to put on a DVD ... resolution won't cut it ... might us as well spend a few bucks to get a good converter.
Hope this helps... and if anyone has a better solution do share!
God bless
Donna
iMac 20" (Leopard Dual Core), MacBook 13.3" BLACK (Dual Core), iPod Nano+ Shuffle
Hey,
I've tried the exact same thing, and was real disappointed when I found out that there was no real way of "directly" importing footage from the DVD vid camera to the Macbook. Real bummer!
The newest versions of iMovie and Final Cut can import footage from DVD based camcorders. Check the compatibility list on Apple to see if your specific camcorder is listed.
BTW, Sony isn't any better or worse than the other manufacturers when it comes to Mac compatibilty.
ft
The list is in fact on the Apple site ... but from some reviews I've read on other sites (which could have been biased), importing from a DVD does has its disadvantages. And I don't have the newest version of iMovie or Final Cut, so again there another obstacle =0)
I've tried to edit footage from DVD even on a PC and it's simply the quality ... doesn't compare to HD and even miniDV ... but again, that's just me.
iMovie 08 will recognize it. Make sure the SR42 is in Computer mode though! Once it mounts (showing up as an external hard drive) it should ask you whether you want to open it in iMovie or another app. Even if it doesn't you can navigate through the mount and find your .mpg files. Drag them onto the iMovie icon in the dock and it'll start to import.Any help from anyone as I have a Sony handycam DCRSR42 and it will not import to IMovie...I am going nuts
Yes, the Sony DCR-DVD 108 will work with Imovie '08. You just need to set up your camcorder correctly.
When you first insert your mini-dvd and format it for the first time, use the disc setup guide, and format it in "video" format not "vr" format. I REPEAT DO NOT USE "VR" FORMAT!.
VR format only allows you to edit on the camcorder itself.
Video format will allow you videos to be recorded into a format which many editing software will recognize (and by editing software i mean Imovie'08.
Once you format in "VIDEO" format, record all your footage, then finalize the disc. If you don't finalize the disc it and you connect the usb cord, it will show up as a blank disc.
Finalize the disc, then connect it to your Mac. It should open a finder window that asks how you want to open it. Select Imovie '08 in the dropdown menu, and it should allow you to import the content off the dvd.
I found all this out the hard way! I recorded onto 3 discs in the incorrect format. it can still be viewed but only on a dvd player or in the camcorder.
I believe ripping the dvd's content will work like someone earlier suggested, but for future reference just record in the proper format.
I wrote this thread quickly, so i don't know if i left anything out. After of hours messing with my own lost footage, i think this is the solution everyone in this thread was looking for.
Reply back to let me know if this worked for you. This is my first post on macrumors, hopefully it helps a lot of people before losing precious footage.
I've just bought a Sony Handycam SR75 and want to use it on my Mac - a G5 dual 2Gb running Tiger. I was surprised to find no Mac software with the camera, but I plugged it in to the USB connection nevertheless. Switching on the camera gave me a USB screen on the camera, so I simply chose the USB hard drive connection. The Mac then saw the hard drive no problem and the short film my kids had just shot.
Switching on i-Movie '08 then found the camera automatically and it allows me to edit, import, review etc as expected.
Perhaps using i-Movie '08 is the key?
Thought this may help
Smoog
(newbie and first post)
Hi, Im a new user.
Just a question...Im going to buy a Sony HandyCam DCR-SR75E.
Is it the same camera model, you bought ? Im going to use it with Leopard 10.5.5.
Any issue in your opinion ?
Thanking in advance
Paul
Paul
Yes my handycam is the SR75E. I'm just back from 2 weeks in Mexico with over 2 hours of movies and imported them into the Mac via i-Movie last night.
Smoog
First of all, thanx for you kind reply !
Have you got any extra hints to use this camera with Mac ?
Can you describe each steps ? (Eg. plug USB cable, turn on the camera, select something on camera lcd display and so on ....)
Thanking in advance,
Paul