Well, what would you like to happen? It to become sentient? Make you breakfast? Import video? Do a little soft shoe?
Breakfast yes. Import video into Imovie would be even better
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Sony Handycam USB Connection on Mac?
- Thread starter aznspyder
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Breakfast yes. Import video into Imovie would be even better
Have you followed the instructions in the camcorder manual for connecting to a computer? Usually it involves putting the camera in VCR mode or something similar. Also, some cameras don't have auto-sensing that a cable is plugged in, and so you may have to manually activate the FireWire port.
I have a handycam DCR-HC19E and can't get my mac G4 to recognize it via usb. I'm getting a macbook air soon though... will this be more likely to recognize the camcorder? or do i still need to buy a different cable, i.e. firewire, and if so, which one? Sony have been v. unhelpful... their 'contact us' page is a broken link.
That is an old fashioned standard definition "mini DV" camcorder. mini DV camcorders on OS X are only supported when connected via FireWire, regardless of your computer. Buy a FireWire cable, plug it in, turn on the camera, and open up iMovie.
The FireWire cable you want is a 6-pin to 4-pin cable. The 4-pin end is a small plug that goes into the camcorder, the 6-pin end is a bigger end that goes into the computer.
No...sounds like a macbook air isn't a great choice if you're planning on editing digital video. Have you seen the benchmarks?
Well, if you're upgrading from a PowerPC, and are also planning on buying an AVCHD camcorder, the MacBook Air would work just fine. (I specify upgrading from PowerPC simply because all but the 1.5 GHz Core Solo Mac mini would be at least equal in speed to the MacBook Air.)
Just had a look at the benchmarks and I'm a bit surprised. There doesn't seem much point in the MacBook Air - provided Apple are still going to update the old MacBooks. It's only fancy because it runs Leopard and has the touchpad but the new MacBooks now run Leopard too... so is it all just about the size of the machine? That's pretty pointless as all it means is fewer ports, less battery life and no DVD drive. Is there anything good about it?
To a decent number of people, size is enough.
If this machine had come out at the same time as the original 15" MacBook Pro at the beginning of 2006 (well, one with early 2006 specs, anyway,) I would have gotten this instead of the MacBook Pro. I was replacing a 12" PowerBook G4, and even if I had to accept a 1.5 GHz low-power Core Duo instead of the 2.0 GHz Core Duo, and a fixed 1 GB of RAM, I would have. (Although I would have preferred a 12.1" widescreen model.)
As would I, but Apple move fast. I'm on a 2005 iBook G4 so anything is an upgrade for me, and if I could afford a desktop as well I would get an iMac AND an Air, because you're right, the portability is a huge selling point, but it's not enough of one for someone who's relying on it as their only computer. It was built to be used alongside one with a disk drive. I'll be buying a Pro because the package I need comes out at exactly the same price as the Air package, and although it's bulkier I could really do with the firewire port and disk drive. Also it's running a slightly newer version of Leopard than Air is although there's probably not much difference.
between a rock and a hard place...
Hi all,
I'm in a spot of bad luck over here. Good thing there's this sort of forum, so maybe y'all can help me out a bit?
I've got a Sony DCR-HC30E and a 4-pin-to-6-pin FireWire cable, but when I plug them together and into my Macbook Pro, both Final Cut Pro and iMovie HD don't recognize the camera. I've already switched it on and set it to the Play/Edit function, which is the equivalent of the VTR/VCR mode.
I don't understand why it's not working, though, as I've used it plenty of times before and it's worked fine. However, maybe I should mention that I just bought the FireWire cable today, as I lost the original one that came with the camera quite recently.
Any help would be much appreciated, as I've got a company profile video to edit tonight and it's due in 6 hours
Hi all,
I'm in a spot of bad luck over here. Good thing there's this sort of forum, so maybe y'all can help me out a bit?
I've got a Sony DCR-HC30E and a 4-pin-to-6-pin FireWire cable, but when I plug them together and into my Macbook Pro, both Final Cut Pro and iMovie HD don't recognize the camera. I've already switched it on and set it to the Play/Edit function, which is the equivalent of the VTR/VCR mode.
I don't understand why it's not working, though, as I've used it plenty of times before and it's worked fine. However, maybe I should mention that I just bought the FireWire cable today, as I lost the original one that came with the camera quite recently.
Any help would be much appreciated, as I've got a company profile video to edit tonight and it's due in 6 hours
Handycam
I have a Digital Handycam Digital8 DCR-TRV350 NTSC. I have a dv to firewire cable and it wont come up on my computer. i Was just wondering if i could put the video on my computer if it was on an 8mm tape or do i have to have a memory card. Or is there something totally different i would need?
Macbook 2.4 GHz Ipod touch 8 GB
I have a Digital Handycam Digital8 DCR-TRV350 NTSC. I have a dv to firewire cable and it wont come up on my computer. i Was just wondering if i could put the video on my computer if it was on an 8mm tape or do i have to have a memory card. Or is there something totally different i would need?
Macbook 2.4 GHz Ipod touch 8 GB
A Digital8 camcorder is basically the same as a MiniDV camcorer, only using the larger 8mm tapes. As such, it should act exactly the same to your computer as a MiniDV camcorder. Which means you need to open up an app that supports DV-in to import. It won't appear as a disk. iMovie is the standard video editing app. Just open up iMovie, then click "Import" (iMovie is also generally smart enough to open the Import dialog when you connect/turn on a supported camera.)
The memory card is only for still pictures. The memory card should appear as a disk; but again, it only stores stills. iPhoto should open when you attach that.
Note that the FireWire connection *ONLY* does video; and the USB connection (to a Mac,) *ONLY* does still photos (specifically, mounting the memory card as a disk.) Your model supports "USB Streaming", which means that it basically makes your camcorder appear as a webcam to the computer; but that is not supported by OS X. You have to turn that function off in the camera's menu to get the memory card to mount in the OS.
Hey, I have a MiniDV camera, Sony Handycam DCR-HC30, and a macbook. I bough the firewire cable, and Final Cut recognized the camera, and I was able to transfer the video, but there's no sound.... I tried iMovie, but it doesn't even recognize the camera... Can anyone help me?
First, what version of FC and what version of iMovie?
Second, sort-of-obviously: If you play it back on the camcorder, does it have sound?
Third: Is it just that you can't hear sound as it is importing, or is it that after it is on the computer, when you play it back it has no sound?
If on the computer, again, rather obvious question, are your speakers muted? (Hey, it's amazing how many problems are solved by asking seemingly obvious questions...)
Thanks for answering me back!
- I have Final cut express HD, and iMovie '08 (7.1.4)
- The video has sound when I play it on my camcoder
- I can't hear sound after it has already been imported.... when I drag the video to the timeline on Final Cut, there's no sound track
- The speakers aren't muted... (I completely agree.... we have to ask the most obvious at first!)
- I have Final cut express HD, and iMovie '08 (7.1.4)
- The video has sound when I play it on my camcoder
- I can't hear sound after it has already been imported.... when I drag the video to the timeline on Final Cut, there's no sound track
- The speakers aren't muted... (I completely agree.... we have to ask the most obvious at first!)
worst case scenario: can you help
My mission is to edit together a bunch of clips from soccer games.
Problem: Video recorded on Sony Handycam DCR-DVD 505-records on MINI-DVDS
Camera DOES NOT have Firewire port, or RCA plugs
Camera only has USB port.
I edit with a Macbook that has firewire and USB.
So far I have tried:
1. plugging in camera, mac does not recognize at all or react
2. using external dvd drive, put mini dvd in, window comes up asking me what to open it in, but when i choose either IDVD or dvd player, does not allow import----MOST NOTABLY disc DOES NOT appear on desktop-not recognizing fully- have received messages that program doesn't support the disc
I need help....is there an affordable $20-40 cable that can go from USB on camera into FIREWIRE port on computer? What other options do I have?
My mission is to edit together a bunch of clips from soccer games.
Problem: Video recorded on Sony Handycam DCR-DVD 505-records on MINI-DVDS
Camera DOES NOT have Firewire port, or RCA plugs
Camera only has USB port.
I edit with a Macbook that has firewire and USB.
So far I have tried:
1. plugging in camera, mac does not recognize at all or react
2. using external dvd drive, put mini dvd in, window comes up asking me what to open it in, but when i choose either IDVD or dvd player, does not allow import----MOST NOTABLY disc DOES NOT appear on desktop-not recognizing fully- have received messages that program doesn't support the disc
I need help....is there an affordable $20-40 cable that can go from USB on camera into FIREWIRE port on computer? What other options do I have?
I'll answer this one first. The answer is *NO*.
This was the closest to being what you needed to do. You just missed one small step first.
You need to "finalize" the disc on the camcorder. *THEN* it will appear on your Mac. But, it still won't be easily editable.
The problem is that the camcorder records in standard "DVD Video" format. This is the same format as a hollywood DVD, only without the copy protection or fancy menus. DVD Video is a format that is not simple to edit, being based on the also not simple to edit MPEG-2.
The first trick is to make the disc recognizable to your Mac, which requires that you "finalize" the disc. Without finalizing, the disc is only recognizable by DVD recording camcorders, and a few home-theater DVD players. So that has to be done first.
Once the disc has been finalized, your Mac will see it as a standard DVD Video. Then you will need to use software such as Handbrake to rip it to your computer as a single QuickTime-compatible file.
*THEN* iMovie should be able to do something useful with it.
Seeking similar help and suggestions
I just got a MacBook for Christmas and was excited to upload movies from my Sony Handycam Digital8 DCR-TRV280; which takes digital 8 tapes.
My MacBook does not have a firewire port and it is not recognizing my camera. I have a one year old and lots of tapes of her that I would like to upload and edit.
Any ideas would be much appreciated!
I just got a MacBook for Christmas and was excited to upload movies from my Sony Handycam Digital8 DCR-TRV280; which takes digital 8 tapes.
My MacBook does not have a firewire port and it is not recognizing my camera. I have a one year old and lots of tapes of her that I would like to upload and edit.
Any ideas would be much appreciated!
Hi, You can use Sony DCR Video Converter Mac.
Free guide and tips for how to import Sony DCR SD video to iMovie/FCE/FCP on Mac OS X(including Snow Leopard) for editing with Mac Sony DCR Video Converter. Free Download!
Learn more information:
ilifesoft.com/how-to/convert-sony-dcr-video-on-mac.htm
I tried following the advice and nothing happened. Before I gave up I plugged the built in USB cable into the IMAC, closed the IMOVIE, turned on the camera and it download PMB and then it updated and all the stuff in the camera appeared on the IMAC. This was an HDR-CX360V Sony Handycam. I took a Cannon Vixea expensive camera back to Best Buy after it wouldn't upload anything and got this one. This is lucky for me because I usually spend tons of money trying to figure this stuff out and nothing works.
How do I connect this to my Mac? I need to connect for web conferencing and for imovie and so forth. So what's the trick?
It only appears to have USB and that serves to apparently the PC only.
Thanks everyone!
Patrick
patrickmdryan@comcast.net
I have the Sony AVCHD (HDR-CX360V). I have a new iMac. I plugged in the power cord to the camera. Plugged in the built in USB. Opened the camera screen (turned it on). The camera screen gave choice to connect a USB or disk. I picked USB. Somewhere shortly after, the camera screen asked if I wanted to transfer the PMB program on board the camera. Did that, picked Mac OS option, loaded it on computer. As far as I see so far, this seems to be used for uploading to other social websites like Facebook, etc. Don't know if it actually plays a role in transfer of movies. Anyway, clicking on the icon on the computer screen now opens that up. The next time I transferred movies I figured it out. After connecting everything and opening the camera screen it will ask if you want a USB connection. Do that. Then open iMovie. None of the dragging of thumbnails worked that had appeared on the PMB app. Forget that except for stills. On the left side of iMovie appears a camera icon. Click that. It will download what is on the camera. i don't remember exactly, but somewhere on the screen it opened it shows all the stuff on your camera. If you only want to down load a particular movie (this was represented as a movie film icon with HD on it), move the "auto-manual" slider on the left side down to manual. Click which movie you want and it goes right into iMovie as an event. I don't remember where exactly I traced the location of the actual file it downloaded but by right clicking somewhere it gave option to open containing folder which in my case was under my name as user and movies and iMovies and ievents. Sorry about the long answer.