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TICKET ARCHIVE -> Connect Sony camcorder to Macbook Pro

Macson - May 15, 2006 - 6:43 am

Hi,

I have recently puchased a Macbook Pro -switching from the PC universe. I want to burn my family videos on DVDs with minimal quality loss. I own a Sony DCR-TRV33E camcorder. The supplied software "ImageMixer" is not compatible with Mac OS X. I tried to connect the camcorder via its USB cable with no success -the VCR mode did not enable the Mac to detect the camcorder, although on the Memory stick mode I could access it. It then bought a i.link/firewire cable but the Mac still wont detect the camcorder. Is this just a matter of chosing an appropriate software or driver (I couldnt find a driver from the Sony site), or it my camcorder definitely not compatible with my Mac???

As you would have gathered, I'm not very conversant with IT stuff, so please keep the explanations easy for me!

Thanks for your very much appreciated assistance.

philippe99 - May 15, 2006 - 7:39 am

Hi and welcome to macosx.com

When you say "the mac does not see it" (even the firewire cable), do you speak about iMovie ?
if no, well, only iMovie is able to see it. See for instance, this guide:
http://www.uq.edu.au/sjc/docs/imovie.pdf

Here's the general KB article on iMovie troubleshooting procedure when connecting a camera to the Mac:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=43000

On the other hand, I know that Sony use proprietary MPEG encoder that only it sofyware..on Windows... of course can decode.

You know, Sony and Symantec are the two main brands to avoid when using Mac.

Regards
Philippe

Macson - Jun 11, 2006 - 1:09 am

Thanks for your repond and sorry for not having a chance to write back earlier. Yes I did try to use iMovie HD 6.0.1. in vain. I tried to check that my MacBook Pro would detect my camcorder using the System Profiler, and it doesn't. It looks like if the firewire didn't work. But it's not the case given that I can access the camcorder flash memory card via the firewire. All I cn think about is that the Mac may need appropriate drivers for the camcorder. Unfortunately, the CD that came with the camcorder is not compatible with Mac OS 10.4.5... and I was unable to find a driver for this intel Mac.

I couldn't find either from Sony whether this camcorder was compatible or not. I am really getting very frustrated: I bought the MacBook Pro mostly to be able to save my family movies on DVDs !

Any other idea, at least to ensure whether the camcorder is definitely not compatible or if it's just a software issue??

Thanks again,
Macson

philippe99 - Jun 11, 2006 - 6:16 am

No, I have no idea
Sony, JVC and Symantec are the brands I systematically avoid on Macs

I would try to call a Genius bar to hava any information

Sorry for not being help you further on this question

I repool it.

Philippe

Drumhum - Jun 11, 2006 - 7:42 am

Hello Macson,

I've had a quick look at the manual for your camera and as far as I can tell, your camera should work fine with your mac. But just some points to bear in mind...

Typically, the memory stick is accessed via USB. I have not heard of a camera that provides access to the memory stick via firewire (aka iLink). If you can't access the memory stick via USB then try using a card reader connected to your mac and insert the memory stick.

Make sure you have set the time and date on the camera, record your movies to tape, at SP ~not~ LP. Do not apply any picture effects.

Drivers are not required by the computer to access DV footage. This is a "standard" and a mac should be able to access any camera with a DV output (iLink) that supports the DV standard. Sometimes this standard is "broken" by some features of the camera. If the camera can record still photos to tape I feel it unlikely imovie will see them as this is not the common way of doing things, for example. (movies should go on tape, photos to memory stick)

The system profiler may not "see" your camera. It is not a hard drive and behaves differently.

I suggest...
* Make sure you set the camera up to record DV footage at SP, audio set to 48kHz (if switchable), recording to DV Tape.
* Record some pictures.
* launch iMovie and create a new project - make sure it is in the "DV format" and check it is set to the PAL standard (this is often default to NTSC for the Americans!). This is done by selecting 25FPS in the "general" preference pane (if was not set to this I have a feeling you need to start a new project after changing changing it to 25fps))
* Connect the camera via firewire/iLink to your computer. Do ~not~ use a firewire hub - connect directly to the computers firewire socket.
* Switch on the camera and set to VCR.
* move the switch in imovie (lower part of window) from the scissor icon (for editing) to the camera icon (for capturing).

You should now be able to access the footage on the tape and transfer/record it to the camera. You should not need to touch the camera - the computer should be able to control the playback, rewind and fast-forward of the camera.

If still nothing happens try a different firewire cable (they have been known to be faulty!)

Let me know how you get on

regards

Tom

Macson - Jun 21, 2006 - 8:59 am

Tom,

Thank you so much for your detailed explanation. I can unfortunately not try and use your advice until such time as ... I get my camera back (my wife lent it a couple of weeks ago and I'm still waiting for it !!!). But I checked on iMovie, and yes, the frames per second were not correctly set : let's hope that's all it was ... I'll keep you posted.
Thanks again,
Macson

Drumhum - Jun 21, 2006 - 10:19 am

No probs macson,
If you get notification that this "ticket" has closed, don't worry. Just respond in the usual way.

tom