Presently have a 2007 Mini DV camcorder and May upgrade to a low end SD card model from Canon or Sony. If I were to do this how do I import the video to my Mac? Do I need iMovie? Will the new Camcorder work on my TV? I will buy one with a HDMI port.
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May get a new Camcorder
- Thread starter jwolf6589
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Assuming that the camcorder will record in AVCHD, then iMovie will probably be the best way. The file structure on the SD card foe AVCHD is complex and trying to import by digging down into that structure is complicated.
I bought one but I dont know what format it records into. All I know is that its much nicer in quality than my old Mini DV unit. Played it on my HTV and it looks brilliant, and also on the Mac. However to play the files from the SD card I have to eject the card from the camera and insert the card into my Mac (a pain). Why cant I just play the clips from the SD card from iMovie without the import to my mac?
Well, the handbook will tell you.
You can. Insert the card into the card reader. Open iMovie. Click on the Import arrow. The Import window will open. When the SD card is recognised, click on it. All your clips will be displayed, with a viewer window at the top. You can now play each clip.
That works however I am unable to preview clips while connecting the Camcorder via USB and opening iMovie.
I don't know how iMovie works... but attaching the camcorder itself to the computer isn't the best way to do any of this.
Most camcorders (especially cheap camcorders) only have USB 2.0... so simply accessing the card and all its files would be a pain in the first place.
My advice... copy the files off the card to your hard drive using a card reader. And once the files are on the computer... THEN start messing with them.
Welcome to the world of file-based camcorders! The next step is finding a place to store/archive all this footage.
I've still got crates of old MiniDV tapes which are their own archives.
But files from a camcorder have to exist somewhere outside the camera.
Create a folder on your computer called "Camcorder Files" and then create subfolders for each event: "2018 Birthday", "Disney Vacation", etc.
Or let iMovie handle the storage.
This is no different than what you do with digital photos from a DSLR.
You don't browse and edit photos directly from the camera... you copy them to the computer and then use Apple Photos or Adobe Lightroom or something.
Enjoy your new camcorder! I just bought this: Canon XA11
I don't know how iMovie works... but attaching the camcorder itself to the computer isn't the best way to do any of this.
Most camcorders (especially cheap camcorders) only have USB 2.0... so simply accessing the card and all its files would be a pain in the first place.
My advice... copy the files off the card to your hard drive using a card reader. And once the files are on the computer... THEN start messing with them.
Welcome to the world of file-based camcorders! The next step is finding a place to store/archive all this footage.
I've still got crates of old MiniDV tapes which are their own archives.
But files from a camcorder have to exist somewhere outside the camera.
Create a folder on your computer called "Camcorder Files" and then create subfolders for each event: "2018 Birthday", "Disney Vacation", etc.
Or let iMovie handle the storage.
This is no different than what you do with digital photos from a DSLR.
You don't browse and edit photos directly from the camera... you copy them to the computer and then use Apple Photos or Adobe Lightroom or something.
Enjoy your new camcorder! I just bought this: Canon XA11
Wow a professional Camcorder! I do not make enough money nor do I have a need for one. Mine only cost $250 and I am upgrading from a JVC Mini DV CAMCORDER so I am quite happy with my Canon. Enjoy your Camcorder.
Yeah most don't bother with the inconvenience of connecting up a USB cable and finding a place on the desk for the camera where it won't get knocked off. They use an inexpensive SD card reader if the mac doesn't have a SD reader built in.
Years ago I used the USB cable when I didn't have a card reader handy, and I think you can preview the clips in the iMovie import window, I can in FCPX. And then pick the ones you want to import. You may also be able to use finder and open the drive in the connected camera and view the clips. Also delete ones you don't want to free up card space.
But pulling the SD card out of the camera is more efficient, especially for higher resolution video.
I use canon cameras and set them to record mp4, much easier to manage the video files.
Years ago I used the USB cable when I didn't have a card reader handy, and I think you can preview the clips in the iMovie import window, I can in FCPX. And then pick the ones you want to import. You may also be able to use finder and open the drive in the connected camera and view the clips. Also delete ones you don't want to free up card space.
But pulling the SD card out of the camera is more efficient, especially for higher resolution video.
I use canon cameras and set them to record mp4, much easier to manage the video files.
I connect my camcorders to my Mac via USB. Then I open the mounted drives, locate and open the AVCHD construct and use QuickTime to import the video. My camcorder records in 4K and, optionally 1080p, but by using the File > Export As dialog, I can save it in any resolution from 4K to 480p.
Doing this allows me to save the unedited footage for later use, as I deem appropriate. I can then import that footage into FinalCut Pro X, iMovie, Adobe Premier or any other editor of choice.
Doing this allows me to save the unedited footage for later use, as I deem appropriate. I can then import that footage into FinalCut Pro X, iMovie, Adobe Premier or any other editor of choice.
I am able to preview video clips that way, but not connecting the camera directly to my MacBook Pro using the USB cable. I do not want all my videos on my Mac as I only have 188GB of space left. But ones I pick and choose I can then connect the camera via USB and import them via the photos app. Or I can eject the card and insert it into my MacBook and do it that way, it really makes no difference.
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Are you able to preview the video clips in iMovie WITHOUT a import? I am only able to preview the movies if I eject the card and insert the SD card into my MacBook pro.
You can preview or watch the entire recording via QuickTime without importing the footage.
I connect my camcorders to my Mac via USB. Then I open the mounted drives, locate and open the AVCHD construct with QuickTime and press the play icon.
Thats not working with my Camcorder. It was a cheaper unit at $250. No camera drive shows up when I connect via USB.
Try this:
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202557
I do not have to transfer the AVCHD construct to my Mac, contrary to what this article says... but double clicking on the AVCHD folder opens a list of videos on the camera that I can then import or play directly from the camera.
That camera records in mp4, so AVCHD is irrelevant. But the camera is not listed as iMovie compatible, which may just mean no one has tried it. If you plug it into the computer USB port, open iMovie, select import and it doesn't show up as a device, then you will need to use the finder or SD card reader. If it shows up as a device an import window should open with a thumbnail of all the videos on the camera and an option to select which ones to import.
There is a CameraWindowDC software app that is available from canon that may be useful. But you should be able to see the files on the camera (if its on) in the finder and view them before transfer to the mac.
I have a bunch of cannon cameras and USB with them can be fickle.
There is a CameraWindowDC software app that is available from canon that may be useful. But you should be able to see the files on the camera (if its on) in the finder and view them before transfer to the mac.
I have a bunch of cannon cameras and USB with them can be fickle.
I am able to import the movies in iMovie I just cannot preview or play before import.
Thats strange, which version of iMovie and OS are you using? When I open an import window in iMovie 10.1.9 I get a list of video files and when I click on a file the video is displayed in the viewer, where it can be played/auditioned before import.
