Canon ZR950 MiniDV Digital Camcorder

Does anyone use a Canon ZR950 MiniDV Digital Camcorder? I'm thinking of purchasing 3 for upcoming projects, as these are an ok price, but I'd rather spend a little more if these are junk. I'd be shooting sports action. Any advice on this camera or another that is good with fast motion would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you vey much R. Mitchell Fore. Those two suggestions for Sony fall right into my proce range where I can afford to buy 3. It seems that the jump from prices goes from $300 up to $1800+. Is there really a need for a $1800 camera at the begining of a business? With so many people owning HDTVs, is a smaller, cheaper camera going to cut it? I mean, just how much sharper is a wedding shot on a commercial/production grade camera used by the pros? Someone on this website to me to make a little money, be prepared to spend alot of money, and I concur, but I need to make some money to invest. But I don't want to short myself on equipment if the difference is really that great.

Similar Messages

Capturing still pictures from a digital camcorder

I use a Canon mini DV digital camcorder and want to capture some still pictures from the movies to place in a book I am doing in IPHOTO....is this possible?

If your canon mini dv camcorder is anything like mine then keep in mind that while shooting you have the option of taking great hi res images as well as continuous high quality video. You just have to make the extra effort to push the photo button if you happen to see a great shot. You can capture the image to an SD card most likely or to tape (I prefer SD Cards for still images).
Or as stated above already you can make your own still from the actual video footage (altho usually at a lower resolution).

Importing video from canon zr950

i can't import video from from canon zr950 as my macbook does not have a firewire port and the usb port does not recognize video camera. any other alternatives to importing the video from mini dv?

You really do need a firewire port on your computer to import DV.
One option would be to call the store manager of a nearby Apple Store, and politely ask if you can come in and use one of his computers that has firewire to capture your movie.
If your camcorder has a feature that let's you play it on TV through RCA cables (Red, White, and Yellow) or S-Video cable, then it is possible that you could capture using the ElGato EyeTV Hybrid. However, I have not tested this, and I would hesitate to tell you to spend $100+ if I am not sure. I may have time to test it next year some time. Even if it works, it will not be at the quality of the original DV. Would the quality difference by visible? That is another thing to test.

Canon DC-10 DVD Camcorder and iMovie (VR/Video DVD) *complicated*

Hi Guys,
I have a complicate issue and I have no idea how to do it.
The Problem: I like to cut and edit my short movies which I have recorded with the Canon DC-10 DVD Camcorder.
Because the Camcorder only writes small sized DVDs I have to copy it onto a standalone HDD/DVD recorder which is connected to my TV and than from its HDD back to a standard sized DVD. I can record this DVD in VR and Video mode but my MacBook Pro can only read the DVD which was recorded in Video mode. Therefore I cannot copy the movie files to my HDD. I think ripping might be a possibility but I don't know. Does anybody have an idea how to get my movie clips into iMovie HD?
Which movie file format does iMovie HD use?
By the way connecting the Camcorder to the Mac directly is currently not supported by Canon and Apple. I have to use the small DVD to normal size DVD way (because of the slot in drive in the MacBook Pro).
Thanks.

as Michael told you: iM does not support these DVDcorders...
your workflow is absolutely correct: to avoid damage to the slot-in, first create a standard-shaped/sized dvd-r; it has to be finalized and in "video mode"....
then, your options to import DVD content are:
* DVDxDV (free trial, 25$, Pro: 90$)
* Apple mpeg2 plugin (20$) + Streamclip (free)
* Cinematize >60$
* Mpeg2Works >25$ + Apple plug-in
* Toast6/7 allows converting to dv/insert dvd, hit apple-k
* connect a miniDV Camcorder with analogue input to a DVD-player and disk to tape/use as converter
... and as Micheal told you: DVD are end-of-the-road, a delivery format, not meant for further processing as editing, all these conversion could mean a loss of pic quality (and are very inconvenient, for sure)... if you are seriously interested in movie-making AND want to use the iApps, you should consider to buy a miniDV....

Sony Digital Camcorder -TRV27

I have a SONY Digital Camcorder, model DCR-TRV27. This model was probably released sometime in 2001/2002. The camera supports connection to either a Windows PC or MAC using a USB cable.I followed the instructions in the camera manual andalso the instructions from iMovie but not having any success in viewing and/or transferring the movies from Camcorder to iMovie. Do I need any additional software on the iMac?

Welcome to iMovie Discussions.
The TRV27 is a miniDV tape camcorder, so it must be connected to your Mac with a 4-pin-to-6-pin FireWire cable, not a USB cable. (..Sony calls the cable an 'i.Link' cable, sometimes it's called a DV cable..)
The USB connection is only for retrieving things stored on the camcorder's Memory Stick.
You don't need any additional software: iMovie is all that you need for importing the video. But a FireWire/i.Link/DV cable wouldn't have been included in the box with the camera; Sony only included the USB cable. (That's because for connection to most PCs of that era you'd need a 4-pin-to-4-pin cable, whereas Macs need a 4-pin-to-6-pin cable ..so Sony didn't include either one.)
The cable you need looks like this: buy one at any electronics shop.

Digital Camcorder (ADVICE PLEASE!!!)

I recently borrowed a digital camcorder from a friend and it needs to be returned soon.My ultimate goal is to get the footage that I recorded with it into Quicktime so I can post the footage on Youtube.This camcorder has no firewire connection on it.It has USB,DV,and standard A/V outputs.What is the best and most simple way for me to get the footage from the miniDV tapes into my IMAC as Quicktime files???or any digital format for that matter???

If it doesn't use tape and a lot of JVC use hard drives then it records MOD files which are in fact MPEG-2 files and they won't export from QT Pro with sound. The question of MPEG-1 and 2 exports is asked here a thousand times a month. The answer is always the same:
Open directly from the camera in iMovie 08 (not from copied files - it has fits if it loses the MOI files that are on the camera) or use MPEG Streamclip to open the MOD files and edit (cut, trim etc.) and export to MPEG-4 using the iTunes button and appropriate size in MPEG Streamclip. Or trim and export them to MPEG-2 again if you want not that that seems to be too helpful.
If you have Toast 8 you can use the MOD files directly but you cannot edit them but it exports to various formats including DivX for those who like DivX (I don't).
I normally open in Streamclip, edit out the dross , export to MPEG-2 and use those new files in Toast to make DVD's in 1/2 the time of iMovie and iDVD.
When dealing with MPEG 1 or 2 ALWAYS correct timecode errors first in Streamclip Apple+F if it doesn't remind you to as it probably will or your 1 hour movie might be 3 minutes long. However after editing don't do that or it puts all the cuts back.

Working mac system/solution for Canon XL2 MiniDV footage.

Hello,
Thanks everyone in advance for your help. I am an experienced still photographer with just a little bit of video/film experience. I recently purchased a Canon XL2 miniDV camcorder. I have an older
G4 Mac Pro laptop(1.5Ghz Power PC w/1GB RAM). I plan on buying a new computer to edit footage from the Canon XL2.
I chose the Canon based on price and 24P frame rate options. Is anyone out there using this camera,shooting in 24P modes, and editing on a Mac?
What new Mac would you recommend (tower, imac, or laptop), and how much RAM do I need/want.
Will Final Cut Express work with 24P frame rates from the Canon? Would you recommend Final Cut
Studio instead of FCE?
Thanks,
--ucityxl

Thanks cgbier for your comments and help.
I'm still hoping that someone out there has lots of experience with the Canon XL2 shooting 24P frm
rates and is able to give me some clues regarding new Mac models, hard drive space needed, and RAM #'s and config's (fill all slots)?
I am tempted to get an Imac based on price, but I don't want to regret this decision later if I find
I would have been a lot better off with a G5 Tower workstation, and a massive internal drive(s).
I just shot 3.5 hours of footage that I want to edit into some three minute short and ten minute
longer versions. I may buy FCE if readers using Canon XL2 at 24P 2:3 and 24P 2:3:3:2 frame rates
say FCE will totally do the job. If experienced Canon XL2 24P frame rate shooters say, "No dude,
you've gotta get FCStudio!" then I'd go that route.
Thanks again for any input.
P.S. I'd like to give a shout out to DaddyPaycheck who posted a comment once upon a time re
using a Canon GL model for tape transfer to computer to minimize wear and tear on his XL2.
Maybe DaddyPaycheck could weigh in with some advice for a beginner who wants to start out on
the right foot. CHEERS

Strange problem between Prem Pro CS3 and Canon ZR950

I bought CS3 and a Canon ZR950 thinking they were compatible. I ended up having to install Firewire and using the special 4-pin to 6-pin cord. It almost works.
According to Windows XP the drivers for both the "Canon DV Camcorder" and the "Texas Instruments OHCI Complaint IEEE 1394 Host Controller" are working properly. The firewire works properly with other devices. When I place the camcorder in PLAY and insert the cable the computer recognizes it as a camcorder and gives me choices of programs to use - Premiere Pro, Windows Movie Maker, Vegas Movie Studio, and Media Import 8.
I've tried uninstalling the camcorder drivers and when reattached they self install again "correctly". If I use Windows Movie Maker I get a warning "An unknown error has occured" and it stops working. If I use Vegas Movie Studio 9 I get an eror message saying "Microsoft DV Camera and VCR" could not be opened. If I use Roxio Media Import 8 I can get it to start the camcorder screen replay but none of the other computer program controls work and it's doesn' save anything or show up on the computer screen.
The only one that gets to the next step is Premiere Pro. It will actually open and wait for input. When I select Capture the window opens but nothing works until I go to the Settings tab, Device Control, Options button. There I select NTCS, Canon, Standard, and Auto detect. There is no specific choice for the ZR950. It only goes up to Z70. I've tried various settings but it doesn't make any difference.
Here's the strange thing. Regardless of whether I change the options or not, even if I only open up the Options menu and close it again, the controls on my computer screen will now control the camera for playback, foward, reverse, stop but it will only show up on the camera screen, not on my computer screen. In addition, there is no capture going on. In other words, I can use my computer as a giant controller to watch my videos on my camera screen, but that's it.
I suspect there is something wrong with the settings on the camera, but haven't gotten any word back from Canon yet. Any suggestions you can offer here would be appreciated.

Hu Simon...thanks for the answer but how i already writed in my post im on a macbook pro(internal audio card are out of the question)...
anyway are you suggesting that adobe doesnt work well with usb audio devices???
becouse for now i have to stick with it....
if somebody got a suggestion please let me know

Digital Camcorder Video

How do I convert digital video from my Cannon digital camcorder to make it compatible with i movie?

It is spelt Canon, not Cannon.
That model uses memory cards. The bundled application is compatible with Windows XP (Service Pack 2 and 3), Windows Vista, and Windows 7 only.
Try importing the file to the Desktop first, then from the Desktop to iMovie.

Digital camcorder starting point

I am planning on buying my first digital camcorder but I am a bit lost on where to start. I plan on only using it to film family events, baby's first steps, those kinds of things. I haven't really made up my mind on hard drive memory or memory cards for filming but I do know I want to stay under $500. HD isn't important to me but a long battery life is. So what are some models I should start looking at?

kyssyrat wrote:
I am planning on buying my first digital camcorder but I am a bit lost on where to start. I plan on only using it to film family events, baby's first steps, those kinds of things. I haven't really made up my mind on hard drive memory or memory cards for filming but I do know I want to stay under $500. HD isn't important to me but a long battery life is. So what are some models I should start looking at?
I would strongly suggest something flash memory based - more rugged and no risk of motor/spindle noise getting into your video.
Unfortunately, while the Canon high def camcorders have optical image stabilization, the standard def ones (like the FS200) only do electronic image stabilization.
You might want to consider a Panasonic unit - they have OIS for all their camcorders.
If you go with Sony, expect to need to purchase flash memory incompatible with all other devices you own. For this reason I would not reccommend them.
Also, I strongly reccommend finding a unit that has an input for an external microphone - while you may be initially satisfied with the built-in mic, you can get incredible audio quality improvements with a $70-150 external mic. (I love my Audio-Technica PRO-24CM!)
*disclaimer* I am not now, nor have I ever been, an employee of Best Buy, Geek Squad, nor of any of their affiliate, parent, or subsidiary companies.

What firewire will connect 27 inch IMac with Cannon GL2 digital camcorder

What firewire will connect 27 inch IMac with Cannon GL2 digital camcorder?

According to the Canon spec's a > 4 to 9 pin firewire cables is what you will need, provided that you have a slightly older 27" iMac that still has a FireWire 800 port.

I need a digital camcorder that imports direct to iMovie - any ideas

I have been using a MiniDV JVC camcorder to import direct into iMovie - worked great but the camcorder heads are now worn out. So I use an Hitachi HD flash card camcorder that outputs AVI files. I then have to convert through Handbrake to get a useable file for iMovie.
This is much too slow as I produce lots of short video for customers - is there a better direct camera to get files straight into iMovie or should I use different software on the mac?
Last resort, I have been told to buy a pc to use for producing edited DVD movies - I don't really want to move off the mac - HELP?

Wow...good question.
Do your FCP setups have capture cards? You could send a signal from the toaster machine to FCP via the capture card and recapture the footage in FCP. Will take a while, but it should work.
Tough working with proprietary formats.
Shane

Audio disabled in Skype when using Digital Camcorder

Hello guys,
I have a question regarding using DV Camcorder for Skype videochat. I have Mac Pro, OS X Leopard.
I am using digital Camcorder which is connected to Mac via FireWire connection. The problem is, that person I chat with is seeing my video fine, but cannot hear my audio. (I am using a standard external microphone connected to the camcorder via XLR, and camcorder shows that audio is received fine)
Is there any setting I have to change? Or anything else I have to adjust in order to fix this problem?
Thank you so much for any advise

There must be some users out there who for some odd reason don't won't the digital output to be mutable. Are they the majority of digital output users? Seems unlikely.
Can't we get our mute key back as an option for digital out in the Sound prefs panel?

Canon Legria HF R26 camcorder compatability?

I have a Canon Legria HF R26 camcorder bought especially to video my nephew's wedding in Italy last June, and my daughter's wedding 2 weeks ago. I have only, just now, tried to download the footage and have discovered that it's not compatible with my MacBook Pro with iLife '09. It seems that even iLife '11 wouldn't recognise it. Has anyone any suggestions as to how I can download the footage?
Thanks,
Sally

I've just got it working! All I did differntly was plug the USB cable into the camera once it was on and already plugged into the computer. It is currently downloading the images. Phew!

HP HD Digital camcorder v5560u

I have a HP HD Digital Camcorder V5560u and I'm trying to get accessories for this device but not able to find any.
Please can some1 direct me in the right direction??

Hello DieterVE.
Unfortunately, there isn't a whole lot of information on the web about the HD Digital Camcorder V5560u that I can point you to. You might want to take your camcorder to a camera specialty shop and have them help you find the accessories that will best work with the camcorder.
I've included a link to our product support contact information below for any additional assistance you may need.
Product Support
I hope this helps.
-- Chauntain
I work on behalf of HP.
Please click “Accept as Solution ” on the post that solves your issue to help others find the solution.
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Canon ZR950 MiniDV Digital Camcorder

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