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TICKET ARCHIVE -> Uploading Sony Handycam Software to Mac

hunterjones7409 - Jun 11, 2008 - 11:07 pm

I just got my Macbook Pro the other day and I've been trying to upload some of the programs I had on my PC (Dell, not a Mac) to the Macbook. Mainly my Sony Handycam software because I am going to film school and mainly got the Macbook for its movie-making programs. Anyway, it reads the disc and everything, but there is no "Install" option that comes up. Any help here would be fantastic, thank you.

violincredible - Jun 11, 2008 - 11:53 pm

Welcome to macosx.com.

It seems you're trying to install a windows-only application on your Mac. This will not work unless you run Windows via Bootcamp or a virtual machine such as Parallels and install the Sony software into the Windows environment. To boot your Mac into Windows you would need your Mac install disks and a copy of Windows (XP SP2 or later afaik).

Sony do not make a version of their software that runs natively in OSX, but you should find that iMovie will import the footage in a format that you can work with in iMovie etc (iLife '08). If you are serious about movie-making you would probably want to get Apple's Final Cut (the "express" version is quite reasonably priced and a good starting point.)

If possible I'd recommend the non-Windows method because of the hassle of running a second operating system, and because the Apple approach is similar across all programs and the OS so it's a more efficient learning curve and arguably more productive overall.

I can give you more info on either method, but it would help to know what model Handycam and what version of the Sony software you have.

Please do let me know if this helps or if you need further assistance, as our free support depends on your feedback.

Cheers,
Alex.

hunterjones7409 - Jun 12, 2008 - 12:23 am

This is definitely a good jumping off point, so thank you.

I know about the whole Windows-to-Mac thing, I just thought there was a simple way around it. I guess it's not that simple.

The thing that I loved about the Sony software was the "Picture Motion Browser" where anything new found on my camera would be recognized by my computer and it would immediately upload to a format in which every video or picture was neatly organized. If I do the iMovie thing that you recommended, I obviously don't think I'd get the same deal.

Either way, here is the model: Sony Handycam DCR-SR82 w/Hard Disk Drive (60 GB

The Handycam Software includes: Picture Motion Browser Version 2.0.06 (For Windows)

Since I'm kinda leaning towards somehow getting windows onto this, if you could just give me some more info about how that'd work that would be great.

Again, thank you.

hunterjones7409 - Jun 12, 2008 - 12:49 am

This is definitely a good jumping off point, so thank you.

I know about the whole Windows-to-Mac thing, I just thought there was a simple way around it. I guess it's not that simple.

The thing that I loved about the Sony software was the "Picture Motion Browser" where anything new found on my camera would be recognized by my computer and it would immediately upload to a format in which every video or picture was neatly organized. If I do the iMovie thing that you recommended, I obviously don't think I'd get the same deal.

Either way, here is the model: Sony Handycam DCR-SR82 w/Hard Disk Drive (60 GB

The Handycam Software includes: Picture Motion Browser Version 2.0.06 (For Windows)

Since I'm kinda leaning towards somehow getting windows onto this, if you could just give me some more info about how that'd work that would be great.

Again, thank you.

violincredible - Jun 12, 2008 - 4:44 am

Hi again,

The short story about Windows on your Mac:

1: the Bootcamp way, where you reboot into OSX OR Windows.
-Pros: All you need is a copy of Windows and your OSX installer disks; Windows XP SP2 or later runs very nicely on an intel Mac.
-Cons: you can't use your favourite apps from one system in the other; rebooting is a pain; messy to access files between systems.

2: the VM method (eg Parallels),
-Pros: OSX and Windows run side-by-side and you can easily use files and apps from both systems at once; easy to restore from saved disk image in case of virus, spyware, registry corruption etc; Windows can share your Mac's network, printers etc.
-Cons: you need to buy software (eg Parallels or VMWare etc) as well as a copy of Windows; more RAM hungry.

-Cons of both methods: you need a bought copy of Windows XP SP2 or later (macosx.com does not condone or support software piracy); increased time, effort and risk preventing viruses, spyware, rootkits, backdoors etc; Well, it's Windows....

I use both methods, most often Parallels for the stuff I really need Windows for, but for anything creative I just use Mac OSX, I just don't want to think about viruses, fatal errors, drivers, DLLs, file incompatibilities and blue-screens-of-death when I'm mixing an album, editing a movie or writing a song.

The features you describe in Picture Motion Browser may be adequately covered by iMovie and the Finder.

(from discussions.apple.com)
"...Sony DCR-SR82 compatibility. In iMovie 08, video footage is transfered automatically, with a video import window. You can browse thumbnail views in the import window, and even preview any clip instantly directly off the camera before you decide to import it for editing."

I strongly recommend that you have a play around with it, in case it works for you. If there's a feature missing that you need, let me know so I can research a solution. There is a great advantage in the OSX/iLife approach in that media, playlists, albums etc are all available to all applications, and all stored in a standard, but very flexible filing and preview system. So your iTunes library/playlists and your iPhoto library/albums are right there in iMovie, Final Cut, iDVD and vice versa. You can create or edit material in any iApp, Final Cut, etc and it's instantly available to the others. Even the Finder provides some great ways to preview, sort and manage media files. Also, what you learn in one application is usually useful in many others, and the Mac OS's underpinnings provide a consistent interface and logic. If there's something you want to do with OSX, it's very likely someone on this site can tell you how.

Sorry for the rant, but I've used and supported both Windows and OSX in a wide range of creative environments and overall I have observed that: less Windows time = less stress = more and better creative output.

As far as the Windows thing goes, I'm most happy to answer any questions and guide you through any difficulties getting it up and running, whichever method you use.

Let me know if this helps, and how you go.

Cheers,
Alex.

hunterjones7409 - Jun 12, 2008 - 7:40 am

You have been INCREDIBLY helpful!

I hooked up my camera to my computer again, this time with iMovie already running and it immediately read it and asked whether or not I wanted to import the media. The EXACT thing that Picture Motion Browser did! I'm completely amazed by this! Who needs Windows?!

The only thing I regret now is ever thinking I needed windows and making you type so much.

In all seriousness though, you really have been very helpful, and if I could, I'd give you a raise. I didn't even ask the question 8 hours ago and it's already taken care of. If I run into anymore hiccups on this thing, I'll be sure to ask again.

Thank you,
Hunter


P.S.
Is there any way to burn DVD's onto the computer?

violincredible - Jun 12, 2008 - 9:20 am

Hi Hunter,

Glad to help, and you're welcome.

When you say "burn DVD's onto the computer" do you mean "ripping" a DVD TO your computer (hard drive) to watch later or do you mean burning (authoring/writing) a DVD FROM your computer? Both are possible, but the advice is different.

Cheers,
Alex.

PS: the closest you can get to giving me a raise is to spread the word about Macs and their friendly support base (like macosx.com) and maybe do the feedback form after the ticket is closed ;-)

hunterjones7409 - Jun 12, 2008 - 4:37 pm

I meant "ripping," sorry. I'm pretty sure I can do the burning to a DVD using iMovie or something like that, but as far as ripping it and saving it onto the computer, I'm a bit lost.

Thanks,
Hunter

violincredible - Jun 13, 2008 - 12:00 am

Just a quick disclaimer: it's up to you to check your local laws on copyright infringement before contemplating this.

There are many answers to your question, but here's a quick rundown:

First of all, download and install the excellent and free VLC from here You'll find it can play video files and handle formats of an enormous variety.

The simplest way to 'rip' a DVD (encryption can cause this to fail) is to use Disk Utility (in Applications->Utilities) and select New->Disk Image from (your DVD), then select a place to save it and you'll have a disk image you can double-click to open, then drag the "VIDEO_TS" folder onto VLC and it should play like the original. Doesn't always work, though, and the file is huge (same as the DVD itself)

Then there are conversion applications like the free and popular mactheripper which can output files in various useful formats and sizes. Also look up handbrake and VisualHub. You can Google around for other options, try " rip dvd osx " or similar.

Let me know if you have any other specific questions, otherwise I'll close this ticket and you can start a new one for your next adventure ;-)

Cheers,
Alex.

hunterjones7409 - Jun 13, 2008 - 3:58 am

Thanks so much. You've been extremely helpful. That'll be all for now.

-Hunter