Sony Mini DV - Mac Compatible

[kma]

I have a Sony DVD301 Handycam that records to a 3" dvd. I have heard on numerous occasions that this is not Mac-compatible (camera only has a USB port, no FW).

I recently read that Handbrake 0.7.0 will easily convert the files so I can edit in iMovie. Can anyone confirm?

[sinclair_tm]

well, the dvd camcorders are not mac compatible. second, handbrake will rip a dvd into a format that can be edited on your mac, but it looses alot of quality. i don't recommend it. i did something like this for a buddy, and the final dvd after ripping, editing, and burning looked bad.

[MisterMe]

kma,

You appear to be confused. The title of your post says "Sony Mini DV," but you have a Sony DVD301 Handycam. Mini DVD is a mini DVD optical disk. Mini DV is a small magnetic tape cassette. Unfortunately, you have already cast your lot with the optical disk which has limited editing options. Your options are not good because the disk must be RIPped first. Unless you have a tray-loading DVD drive, you are SOL. OTOH, there are numerous editing options available for the tape--from iMovie to Final Cut Pro. And these are just the ones from Apple!

[kma]

Sorry, just a typo. It's mini DVD format - 3" dvd. Let's assume I can get it from the mini dvd to a standard 5" dvd. Any recommendations as to how to convert it to a mac-friendly file type? Thanks!

[magilum]

I've read positive things about Handbrake. If all you want to do is copy the DVD to the standard size media, you could use Mac The Ripper to rip and Toast or Popcorn to burn.

As far as editing is concerned, I will echo the reduced quality remarks. The format used by DVD is already compressed as MPEG2, and if you convert that to an MOV or a DV stream, it's going to get compressed as MPEG2 again when you want to make a new DVD. I don't know how it will look, but it's something to consider.

[adambyte]

I edit video all the time (oh... it's my job!), and I use Handbrake all the time. If you crank up all of Handbrake's settings to the best quality you can, the results are perfectly acceptable. (Not great, but good) Handbrake will let you rip the DVD (or mini DVD, if your Mac has a tray-loading drive) to MP4 format... which you may then convert to something more usably by iMovie or Final Cut.... such as DV or something.

So... the process is possible, but convoluted. But if you're serious about editing your movies, get a Mini DV camera.