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TICKET ARCHIVE -> Importing DV from camcorder

cdtownsend - Feb 16, 2006 - 9:34 am

I recently purchased a Sony DCR-PC1000 camcorder. Prior to purchasing this high-end camera, my research led me to believe that it was Apple compatible. My computer will recognize the camera; I can import photos from the Memory Stick into iPhoto. But I just found out that I cannot import video with iMovie.

I read a similar post/question on here from a woman who bought the Sony DCR-DVD203. She was forced to return the item.

I know the camera is not compatible with iMovie. Is there another way to get the video onto my Mac? It doesn't appear to work with Final Cut Pro either. There's got to be some software for the Mac that will import the video. Even if I can't get it directly into iMovie, if I can get it on my machine, then I can place those clips into iMovie manually.

Any ideas??

TangentIdea - Feb 16, 2006 - 10:36 am

I found this article on the Sony DCR-PC1000:
http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content...der-Review.htm
(I don't know if that's useful to you, but I'm posting it for my own reference.)

Did you purchase the dock with the camera? Do you have a FireWire cable to connect the dock to your Mac?

-Ryan

cdtownsend - Feb 16, 2006 - 10:45 am

Ryan:
Thanks for the response. My camera did come with a docking station and a USB cable. I need to purchase the i.Link/Firewire cable. I'm gonna start there first; that may solve my problem.

I used that camcorderinfo.com site to do all my prior-purchase research. It's a good site with lots of camcorder reviews. But now sure it has much info about camera compatibility with Macs.

I did some more searching on the internet this morning and it seems like I might need to buy a PC (AAAH!) or get Virtual PC for my Mac to run Sony's software.....

TangentIdea - Feb 16, 2006 - 1:12 pm

You need to purchase a FireWire cable to import video into iMovie. It will not work through the USB cable -- that's the problem you're having. Once you've connected to the camera via FireWire/i.Link/IEE1394 (it's all the same), you can import video via iMovie or Final Cut.

-Ryan

cdtownsend - Feb 16, 2006 - 3:07 pm

Cool... thanks! I'll start there. Hopefully that will work.

I just got nervous once my research started showing that the PC1000 wasn't "compatible" with iMovie. Maybe it will work once I connect it with Firewire.

TangentIdea - Feb 19, 2006 - 4:49 pm

Let me know how it goes. At least, you will need a FireWire cable for any videocamera you intend to use with iMovie or Final Cut. So, even if you do have to return the videocamera, you will have a FireWire cable ready for the next videocamera you get, if you have to replace it.

-Ryan

cdtownsend - Feb 19, 2006 - 7:45 pm

Thanks for following up... I bought a iLink/Firewire cable and connected the PC1000 with that.

And iMovie recognized the camera! I could actually control the camera through iMovie. BUT, I still could not import the video.

I tried to find some other software that would import video, including Toast and MediaCapture (a third party utility I found through http://www.pure-mac.com/video.html)... still no luck! Same thing... I could control the camera, but the video wouldn't import.

The more I searched and read, the more I realized that Sony has encrypted their electronics to only work with their software.... which currently is only available for Windows. I'm not sure why some Sony cameras (including my digital still camera) work with the Mac and others don't. Even a call to their technical support didn't come up with any solutions.

I borrowed a friend's Canon Optura 20, put the miniDV tape into that machine and was able to import the footage I shot with the PC1000. Not sure why some cameras play well with Mac and others don't.

I think I might return the camera. Or else buy a cheap/used model from eBay for the sole purpose of importing video. Seems like a nuisance.

Thanks for your help!!!! It's nice to know there's some reliable, free tech support out there! I'll definitely be back...

TangentIdea - Feb 19, 2006 - 8:39 pm

That's very odd -- too bad for Sony. I do have a Sony camera that works quite well with iMovie and Final Cut.

Canon's, however, do have a very good track record in playing well with Macs. I believe that the same is true for JVC, but I couldn't say authoritatively either way on that.

I wish you well on your camera search, and thanks for using MacOSX.com!

-Ryan