JVC Everio HDD Camcorder Instructions for Mac users

[poodlebra]

JVC Everio - the easiest and best solution

I found the included software clunky and rather tedious. The best workaround i found was to use MpegStreamclip (http://www.squared5.com/) to do the rough cuts of my clips straight from the camera, and export these as quicktime or whatever is most suitable for use in your chosen editor. simple, free, and by far the quickest bit of video software available. enjoy.

 

[itamari]

Thanks for posting the link to the instructional video.
It looks very helpful- but when I connected my Everio HDD camera to my Mac, it didn't recognize it for some reason!

Any ideas/suggestions?
Thanks for your help, Itamar

 

[bmcgonag]

Thanks for posting the link to the instructional video.
It looks very helpful- but when I connected my Everio HDD camera to my Mac, it didn't recognize it for some reason!

Any ideas/suggestions?
Thanks for your help, Itamar

You probably need to install the bundled software. Even it it is clunky, it has drivers i imagine that tell the mac what it is you are connecting.

If you don't have it, contact me, well see what we can do.

Brian

 

[BarleyPants]

THis works Much Quicker!

So, I found various conversion kits to make the files from a JVC Everio GZ-MG-130 series camera work with my Mac. And the original poster of this thread was very helpful in guiding me through that process. I found however, that by paying a little bit more money (It cost around $29 plus shipping for the MPEG2 software from Apple) and buying iLife 08 I was able to have the videos appear directly on my screen, in iMovie 08 without any conversion. I only make home videos and such and am not interested in making feature films. Make sure that you update the iLife software once you buy it!! It will not work until you download the most recent version (I spent a few hours last night pretty pissed off before I thought to check for updates...).
It is much quicker than converting each file one by one (especially if you have a slow processing speed) and there is no need to buy or download anything other than iLife 08. I have heard a lot of die hards say that imovie 08 sucks, but I'm not into doing a lot of video and think it is just fine.
I also have the cameras software downloaded on my Mac (this may play a role, but I'm not sure).
Good Luck, I know how frustrating this can be.

 

[bmcgonag]

So, I found various conversion kits to make the files from a JVC Everio GZ-MG-130 series camera work with my Mac. And the original poster of this thread was very helpful in guiding me through that process. I found however, that by paying a little bit more money (It cost around $29 plus shipping for the MPEG2 software from Apple) and buying iLife 08 I was able to have the videos appear directly on my screen, in iMovie 08 without any conversion. I only make home videos and such and am not interested in making feature films. Make sure that you update the iLife software once you buy it!! It will not work until you download the most recent version (I spent a few hours last night pretty pissed off before I thought to check for updates...).
It is much quicker than converting each file one by one (especially if you have a slow processing speed) and there is no need to buy or download anything other than iLife 08. I have heard a lot of die hards say that imovie 08 sucks, but I'm not into doing a lot of video and think it is just fine.
I also have the cameras software downloaded on my Mac (this may play a role, but I'm not sure).
Good Luck, I know how frustrating this can be.

Thanks for the added post. I haven't tried iLife '08 yet, but have been getting a good number of emails about how it works with the Everio...glad to have some positive feedback about the iLife / iMovie '08 versions.

Brian

 

[jtran]

So, I found various conversion kits to make the files from a JVC Everio GZ-MG-130 series camera work with my Mac. And the original poster of this thread was very helpful in guiding me through that process. I found however, that by paying a little bit more money (It cost around $29 plus shipping for the MPEG2 software from Apple) and buying iLife 08 I was able to have the videos appear directly on my screen, in iMovie 08 without any conversion. I only make home videos and such and am not interested in making feature films. Make sure that you update the iLife software once you buy it!! It will not work until you download the most recent version (I spent a few hours last night pretty pissed off before I thought to check for updates...).
It is much quicker than converting each file one by one (especially if you have a slow processing speed) and there is no need to buy or download anything other than iLife 08. I have heard a lot of die hards say that imovie 08 sucks, but I'm not into doing a lot of video and think it is just fine.
I also have the cameras software downloaded on my Mac (this may play a role, but I'm not sure).
Good Luck, I know how frustrating this can be.

I have just recently bought the JVC Everio GZ-HD3 and it is generating .TOD files, BarelyPants, Will the MPEG2 software from Apple that you mentioned open the .TOD files?

-Thanks.
Jim.

 

[jtran]

Jvc Gz-hd3

Some helpful hints.

So, in order to open the .TOD files, I need to have Quicktime Player installed on my computer, I also need to download the MPEG Streamclip from Squared5.com (a freeware). In addition to that, I have to purchase the Quicktime MPEG Playback from apple.com for $19.99 (not available in store, only online download). I was able to view, trim and other basic editing functions, then converted the file into .DV + other formats that will work with iMovie 08.

The converting process is not very fast, yet, it is still faster than realtime importing.

Jim.

 

[bmcgonag]

Some helpful hints.

So, in order to open the .TOD files, I need to have Quicktime Player installed on my computer, I also need to download the MPEG Streamclip from Squared5.com (a freeware). In addition to that, I have to purchase the Quicktime MPEG Playback from apple.com for $19.99 (not available in store, only online download). I was able to view, trim and other basic editing functions, then converted the file into .DV + other formats that will work with iMovie 08.

The converting process is not very fast, yet, it is still faster than realtime importing.

Jim.

Glad you got it Jim. I'm not sure why JVC quit bundling the mac compatible software on the CD that comes with the Everio, but mine came with software that had a version of the Apple MPEG2Quicktime codec on it.

Now, I admit that the part about it being mac compatible was very tiny on the CD, and that i just had to insert the cd, then browse to the applications for OS X and install from there.

Wish they would start bundling it again.

Brian

 

[chillbrew]

step 1 install the quicktime component for Everio to mac. (pg 64 step 1-7)

step 2 go to camcorder menu change QUALITY to 1440 CBR select this to copy a recorded video using the i.LINK connector (not USB) you will have to record in the format first before attempting the other steps so you have the correct files to transfer.

step 3 Create a playlist on camcorder (page 44 step 1-8)

step 4 connect camcorder to Mac via i.LINK connector (not USB)

step 5 playing back playlist on camcorder (page 45 step 1-3)(
after step 3 on page 45 click to right to bring up dubbing playback screen on the camcorder) do not start play back

step 6 open iMovie , capture screen open then click import ... file transfer to imovie's events

works also in final cut express (FCE4 )but you will have to start play from the dubbing play back screen on the camcorder then start capture now from FCE4 ...use the esc key if you have to


see this clip http://media2.jvc.com/camcorder/macHD.mov

my work http://homepage.mac.com/wrbrewster/iMovieTheater1.html

 

[jtran]

Glad you got it Jim. I'm not sure why JVC quit bundling the mac compatible software on the CD that comes with the Everio, but mine came with software that had a version of the Apple MPEG2Quicktime codec on it.

Now, I admit that the part about it being mac compatible was very tiny on the CD, and that i just had to insert the cd, then browse to the applications for OS X and install from there.

Wish they would start bundling it again.

Brian

I am glad that I found a solution to my own question. Thanks to you Brian, I found this website and your post, otherwise, I would still be clueless + frustrate right now. I almost returned the camcorder... I would if the MPEG 2 Playback software didn't work!

I agree with you that JVC should, at least should have a downloadable on the site that will help MAC users w/the issue since the included software does not seem to work.

-Jim

 

[heypeach!]

I am posting this because it seems to come up alot in the forums that I frequent about macs and video.

I have dtailed how to

1. connect the JVC Everio Hard Drive camcorder to your mac via the included USB cable
2. how to open the hard drive,
3. locate the video files,
4. move them to your desired drive,
5. convert them to dv,
6. import them to iMovie, \
7. basic editing,
8. and export them as a .mp4 or other file format.

this video is about 120 MB, but I wanted the quality to be good enough for you to know exactly what I was doing.

This link should just start letting you download it, if there are issues, let me know.

http://www.simplesurvivalmoves.com/JVCEverioInstructions.mp4

Thanks, and best of luck,

Brian

Thank you so much for posting this... I have been trailing the internet for ages trying to get my GZ-HD3 to work. I was really worrying i'd never know how to get the files off.

One thing though - your movie stops just over half way through...

 

[bmcgonag]

Thank you so much for posting this... I have been trailing the internet for ages trying to get my GZ-HD3 to work. I was really worrying i'd never know how to get the files off.

One thing though - your movie stops just over half way through...

I have a direct download link, I'll get it posted here. I've heard that a few times, so I'll have to see what happened.

Thanks for all the feedback.

Wondering what iLink is...

Brian

 

[soLoredd]

Am I missing something here? I have a JVC Everio GZ-MG130U and iMovie imports my footage without any issues. In fact, the resulting file on my Mac is a .MOV file. I don't have to convert to .DV or anything else.


(This is using iMovie '08. Maybe that's the problem some of the other folks here are having?)

 

[heypeach!]

how much does iLife cost actually?

Although the method of using mpeg streamclip etc etc works it is a very long drawn out process when uploading/importing... I can tell it's going to try my patience even more when i'm putting together bigger projects...
Maybe I will buy iLife...

 

[Skipainter]

GZ-HD3 .tod files won't read into iMovie '07

Thank you so much for posting this... I have been trailing the internet for ages trying to get my GZ-HD3 to work. I was really worrying i'd never know how to get the files off.

One thing though - your movie stops just over half way through...

Was there any special voodoo you added to the mix in order to get the .tod files from the GZ-HD3 to play in iMovie?

I've copied them from the camera onto the local disc, up graded to Quicktime Pro, upgraded OSX to v10.4.11 and still no luck. when the .tod is dropped into iMovie this message appears "The file could not be imported: The file “20-inch iMac HD/SkiPaintings/Video/2008_0201-0208_Whistler/PRG002/MOV002.TOD” can’t be imported; QuickTime couldn’t parse it: -2014"

When I attempt to open the same file in Quicktime Pro it says, "The movie contains an incorrect duration."

Thanks in advance to anyone with a suggestion!!

 

[heypeach!]

how much does iLife cost actually?

Although the method of using mpeg streamclip etc etc works it is a very long drawn out process when uploading/importing... I can tell it's going to try my patience even more when i'm putting together bigger projects...
Maybe I will buy iLife...

Ok so I was talking to someone on the apple store and they said that iLife doesn't work with iBook G4s....

Argh... I ****ing hate JVC.

 

[lennypyc]

Missing Quicktime Component for Everio...

Hi,

Bought the JVC GZ-HD7U - awesome unit for the money (Got it at B&H Photo Video online as they're much cheaper than Best Buy, Circuit City and others selling at full retail...)

One problem - The manual says to install the Quicktime Component for Everio (for Mac users by the way...) and to click on the icon for it to initiate the install. Well after over an hour thinking I was just not seeing it, I've perused the entire CD-ROM and it just is not present. I'm thinking that whomever mastered this CD-ROM missed including this file.

Anyone know where I can download it?? I should not have to pay for it, as it is supposed to be included on the included CD-ROM, which it is in fact NOT THERE! Both the manual and the website for this product says it's there, but again, it simply is NOT...

Any help is appreciated - thanks!

-Lenny

 

[elmilley]

Incrediably helpful Apple JVC How To

Dude, thanks for this video- it was so helpful.

EMilley

 

[lennypyc]

Found solution to my problems...

I'm going to post this for those still struggling with their JVC GZ-HD7U camcorder in getting their HD content from the HDD to their iMac...

First off, the CD that was included with the unit was incorrect in that the Quicktime component was not even on the CD, yet the instructions AND their tutorial video on their website tells you to install it. So a call to JVC Support (and a crappy one at that where it took me talking to 4 people, the first three not speaking English well at all), and 1.5 hours just to get to that 4th English speaking person to get me the CORRECT CD-ROM sent in the mail to me. It arrived and it certaily was different than the one shipped with the unit (which was new box, and sealed, not an open box purchase). So it matched the instructions and I got the component installed on my iMac.

The postings in here talking about the MPEGStreamclip FREE download are correct - go and get this software, as it is free and it works. I copied the .TOD files via USB to a working folder on my desktop on the iMac then I used MPEGStreamclip to create .MOV files and convert them using the Apple Intermediate Codec (AIC), and they look fabulous! Be aware though, this is HD and each scene file is HUGE in size, so clear disc space.

If your going to do a lot of movies then keep good working space on your local HDD and buy those book drives to archive the projects off of your local HDD... Thank goodness those drives are cheap nowdays!

Hope this helps everyone! So if you're missing the Quicktime component you have to call JVC as it is not anywhere online (they confirmed this for me). You may be able to buy it from Apple, but it was supposed to be included with the camcorder.

Then again Use MPEGStreamclip. It works. It's free...

Get familiar (if you're not already) with basic video terminology such as Interlacing, deinterlacing and what those mean, 24p, 30p, 50i, 60i, 3:2 pulldown conversion, etc... If you're going to get serious about your video projects then there's a HUGE learning curve, what with audio, colors, exposure, frame rates, codecs, codecs, codecs, and computer geek stuff...

Good luck!

-Lenny

 

[bmcgonag]

www.osxtechtips.com/Software/JVCEverioSoftPack.zip

Here is the JVC Software pack that came with my camcorder. Not much use if you don't have a jvc. The Apple Codec is in the pack, just install it, and it should work.

Brian

I'm going to post this for those still struggling with their JVC GZ-HD7U camcorder in getting their HD content from the HDD to their iMac...

First off, the CD that was included with the unit was incorrect in that the Quicktime component was not even on the CD, yet the instructions AND their tutorial video on their website tells you to install it. So a call to JVC Support (and a crappy one at that where it took me talking to 4 people, the first three not speaking English well at all), and 1.5 hours just to get to that 4th English speaking person to get me the CORRECT CD-ROM sent in the mail to me. It arrived and it certaily was different than the one shipped with the unit (which was new box, and sealed, not an open box purchase). So it matched the instructions and I got the component installed on my iMac.

The postings in here talking about the MPEGStreamclip FREE download are correct - go and get this software, as it is free and it works. I copied the .TOD files via USB to a working folder on my desktop on the iMac then I used MPEGStreamclip to create .MOV files and convert them using the Apple Intermediate Codec (AIC), and they look fabulous! Be aware though, this is HD and each scene file is HUGE in size, so clear disc space.

If your going to do a lot of movies then keep good working space on your local HDD and buy those book drives to archive the projects off of your local HDD... Thank goodness those drives are cheap nowdays!

Hope this helps everyone! So if you're missing the Quicktime component you have to call JVC as it is not anywhere online (they confirmed this for me). You may be able to buy it from Apple, but it was supposed to be included with the camcorder.

Then again Use MPEGStreamclip. It works. It's free...

Get familiar (if you're not already) with basic video terminology such as Interlacing, deinterlacing and what those mean, 24p, 30p, 50i, 60i, 3:2 pulldown conversion, etc... If you're going to get serious about your video projects then there's a HUGE learning curve, what with audio, colors, exposure, frame rates, codecs, codecs, codecs, and computer geek stuff...

Good luck!

-Lenny

 

[worthington]

Using Capty MPEG Edit EX, iMovie and iDVD - Step-by-Step

These instructions do not require the Apple Codec used with other freeware.

Instructions applicable for the following setup:

Mac PowerBook G4 running Mac OS X 10.4.11
Capty MPEG Edit EX for Everio, Ver 1.4.0
Video (.MOD files) captured using JVC GZ-MG37U (30GB Everio HDD)
iMovie Version 5.0.2
iDVD Version 5.0.1

Make sure you have a lot of time and disk space before proceeding…

Copy Files from Camera to Mac hard drive (use instructions that came with camera)

Launch Capty MPEG Edit EX for Everio (I did not use as a video editor)
Set working directory (a BIG external drive is strongly recommended)
Capty MPEG Edit EX -> Preferences
Set work disc
Save still image “Browse”, “New Folder”, etc.
View -> Combine files
“Add” .MOD files – only add files for same scene since you cannot interleave .DV files with .JPG files once the DV stream is created
“Create”
Select “DV Stream” and uncheck “Create in 9 minute segments” –
Make sure your combined files are less than 9 minutes.
“Execute”
“Save As” – Create scene filename and select destination folder
“Save” – This can take a LONG time for large streams
(from minutes to hours!)
Continue making scene DV streams by selecting and “Delete”ing, then “Add”ing subsequent .MOD files – can select multiple files then reorder
Quit Capty MPEG Exit EX

Launch iMovie
Create a New Project – Set name and working directory,
and verify video format is DV
File -> Import – Add in .DV and .JPG files in Clips view
Drag and drop video and stills into project build area (bottom frame)
Set Chapter Markers
Select video or still then Markers -> Add Chapter Marker
Name Chapters
iDVD button, then double click chapter name and edit
Create iDVD Project, then Render and Proceed in pop-up window

Note: iDVD is now the active application
Select “Customize”
Select “Themes”
Doubleclick “Drop Zone”s and add video or frames,
(note: Drop zones are cropped middle of stills)
Return (possibly multiple times due to drop zone nesting)
Adjust Drop Zone Frame Rate using Menu, Duration Frame Count

Save iDVD Project – Set name and working directory to large external hard drive

Back to iMovie, Save Project then Quit

Back to iDVD
Set iDVD -> Preferences
General: Encoder Settings “Best Quality”, uncheck Background Encoding
Set iDVD -> Project -> Project Info
Video Standard pulldown
NTSC
Media Type pulldown
Select 8.0 GB (double layer) or 4.0 GB (single layer)

Before proceeding
1. Quit all applications except iDVD
2. Set Screen Saver Preferences to Never
3. Set Energy Saver – uncheck “Put hard drive to sleep when possible”

Load a new DVD disk (of type selected in Media Type above – if you forget to set to single layer and have less than a single layer’s worth of content, it will burn okay).

Burn – This can take a REALLY long time –
e.g. 35 minutes of content took 2 hours to complete - others have
reported 43 hours for 105 minutes of content

The disk will eject when completed, and additional copies can be burned very quickly – just insert a new DVD. Select Done, then Save Project (to save the encoded version so additional copies can be burned another time).

Important Notes:
After potential hours of video encoding, the audio encoding will start and may appear to hang iDVD (color swirl present and “Force Quit Applications” indicates iDVD is Not Responding). BE PATIENT! Do not Force Quit – step away, take a nap, read the paper – it will finish in its own time.
These steps will produce an amateur quality DVD (like the old home movies). Good enough for conveying the memory, not necessarily for Sundance entries…

 

[gkarris]

My friend's got one of these JVC HDD Camcorder (the SD one).

I just copied the MOD files (MPEG-2) to my harddrive and used VisualHub to get it to the right format.

Seemed to work fine. It is SD only anyways...

 

[bmcgonag]

The problem is that the QuicktimeMpeg2Codec is packaged with the Capty Mpeg EditEX software. And most of these posters did not get the apple software with their camcorders.

Thanks for the alternate instructions.

Brian

These instructions do not require the Apple Codec used with other freeware.

Instructions applicable for the following setup:

Mac PowerBook G4 running Mac OS X 10.4.11
Capty MPEG Edit EX for Everio, Ver 1.4.0
Video (.MOD files) captured using JVC GZ-MG37U (30GB Everio HDD)
iMovie Version 5.0.2
iDVD Version 5.0.1

Make sure you have a lot of time and disk space before proceeding…

Copy Files from Camera to Mac hard drive (use instructions that came with camera)

Launch Capty MPEG Edit EX for Everio (I did not use as a video editor)
Set working directory (a BIG external drive is strongly recommended)
Capty MPEG Edit EX -> Preferences
Set work disc
Save still image “Browse”, “New Folder”, etc.
View -> Combine files
“Add” .MOD files – only add files for same scene since you cannot interleave .DV files with .JPG files once the DV stream is created
“Create”
Select “DV Stream” and uncheck “Create in 9 minute segments” –
Make sure your combined files are less than 9 minutes.
“Execute”
“Save As” – Create scene filename and select destination folder
“Save” – This can take a LONG time for large streams
(from minutes to hours!)
Continue making scene DV streams by selecting and “Delete”ing, then “Add”ing subsequent .MOD files – can select multiple files then reorder
Quit Capty MPEG Exit EX

Launch iMovie
Create a New Project – Set name and working directory,
and verify video format is DV
File -> Import – Add in .DV and .JPG files in Clips view
Drag and drop video and stills into project build area (bottom frame)
Set Chapter Markers
Select video or still then Markers -> Add Chapter Marker
Name Chapters
iDVD button, then double click chapter name and edit
Create iDVD Project, then Render and Proceed in pop-up window

Note: iDVD is now the active application
Select “Customize”
Select “Themes”
Doubleclick “Drop Zone”s and add video or frames,
(note: Drop zones are cropped middle of stills)
Return (possibly multiple times due to drop zone nesting)
Adjust Drop Zone Frame Rate using Menu, Duration Frame Count

Save iDVD Project – Set name and working directory to large external hard drive

Back to iMovie, Save Project then Quit

Back to iDVD
Set iDVD -> Preferences
General: Encoder Settings “Best Quality”, uncheck Background Encoding
Set iDVD -> Project -> Project Info
Video Standard pulldown
NTSC
Media Type pulldown
Select 8.0 GB (double layer) or 4.0 GB (single layer)

Before proceeding
1. Quit all applications except iDVD
2. Set Screen Saver Preferences to Never
3. Set Energy Saver – uncheck “Put hard drive to sleep when possible”

Load a new DVD disk (of type selected in Media Type above – if you forget to set to single layer and have less than a single layer’s worth of content, it will burn okay).

Burn – This can take a REALLY long time –
e.g. 35 minutes of content took 2 hours to complete - others have
reported 43 hours for 105 minutes of content

The disk will eject when completed, and additional copies can be burned very quickly – just insert a new DVD. Select Done, then Save Project (to save the encoded version so additional copies can be burned another time).

Important Notes:
After potential hours of video encoding, the audio encoding will start and may appear to hang iDVD (color swirl present and “Force Quit Applications” indicates iDVD is Not Responding). BE PATIENT! Do not Force Quit – step away, take a nap, read the paper – it will finish in its own time.
These steps will produce an amateur quality DVD (like the old home movies). Good enough for conveying the memory, not necessarily for Sundance entries…

 

[L4yermk]

(Error code -37)

Hello to all,
That video was a grand help. I am now able to import DV into imovie '08. I am having trouble try to add a clip to an existing project. I am getting error message -37. What does it mean can anyone help? the size of the file is only 1.99gb. Is there a maximum amount I can import or wat? All the answers will help!
Mahalo,
MK

 

[Mark.hunter]

Thanks (but not to JVC)

Hi, I found this thread while seeking to solve this exact problem. My thanks to Mr. McGonagill, it worked.

If I may offer what I hope is a useful criticism: It would be great to do an edited version of this video clip that gets to the meat of the issue faster. For some reason the fast forward feature on the clip doesn't work (either on wifi or DSL connection), and there's a lot to watch before you get to the heart of the matter. The first minutes are taken up with a review of the camera. The basic file functions will be useful to beginners, but an advanced version could skip this.

That said, JVC should be ashamed. Using a proprietary video file format in the 21st century, with no oboard options for conversion, is simply weird. I was disgusted when I realized it, and lost an afternoon seeking a solution (thanks again Mr. McG). The absence of downloadable software to sole the issue for Mac users on the JVC site is a dreadful flaw in the overall package. Moreover, the salesman who sold me the camera in Japan did not mention these issues and did not provide JVC's Mac software bundle. Given the importance of Macs to people who work with images, I can see no excuses.

Similar criticism applies to the proprietary charger format. If you lose the charger, you can't buy it separately (I tried), at least in France, where I live.

For these reasons, I would strongly urge anyone looking at these cameras to consider alternatives. This kind of embedded "own the customer" thinking destroys value for everyone concerned and detracts greatly from the pleasure of owning the camera.