Connecting a DV Camcorder to iChat

I'm trying to get iChat up and running. I'd like to connect our DV camera to it. I can't seem to get iChat to display video from the camera (I assume the window that pops up when I click "Video preview" is supposed to show what my camera is showing. Right now it is just black). The camera is a Canon ZR80. I've connected it via firewire to the mac and iChat recognizes it as "My ZR80" in iChat. I have "camera enabled" checked. I have the camera set to "camera" (versus VCR). And i've tried it with a tape in and out of the camera. Just can't get anything but a black screen. Any ideas? Thanks!

I am trying to get ichat AV working with my father. He uses it with my sister so I know things on his end work. I've got a new DV camcorder (Canon ZR600) that I am trying to use. When we first hooked up I actually saw my dad for a few seconds and then it froze up and we got "the communcation error" it sounds like so many people get. I think it's error -8. At that point I realized that my camera was on play(VCR) and not camera. I changed it and then we tried it again later that night and we could get nothing to work (always got the communication error). ichat seems to recognize my camera as I can preview and see myself and it even pulls up ZR600 for the microphone in the preferences. I guess I'm just not sure where to begin. We played a little bit with the bandwidth settings, server setting (as we saw mentioned in another forum), and even the quicktime streaming speed. These did not help but we didn't really have any direction and so my not have doing the right things...Any help would be much appreciated.

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Risks when using DV camcorder for ichat video conferencing..

I have a sony dcr pc350. Bought it January of this year and havent had problems with it until recently. For some reason, the video head was damaged. When i play my DV tapes on it, thick gray horizontal lines appear, or sometimes it refuses to play the tapes completely. I just recently read one of the topics in the ichat AV FAQ and it mentioned that there's a risk that using a DV camcorder for ichat AV video conferencing can actually damage the camcorder. Now i'm wondering if that's the reason why my dv cam is damaged now. I haven't been using it to shoot some video footage for a while now, but i have been using it to video conference very often for about over a month now. And then recently, when i had to use it to shoot some video, that's when i saw that the camera needed repairs. As i've mentioned, I havent been using it for anything else (not even to shoot video) and i havent dropped it or anything. I pretty much take good care of it. So i'm thinking that it was my constant use of it for video conferencing that did the damage.
So my question is:
Has anyone else experienced some camcorder damage that might be related to frequent video conferencing use? If it does indeed damage the camcorder, what specifically does it do to it (what does it damage, how exactly does it cause the damage, etc...)? I'd like to know so I can be more specific when I bring it to the service shop for repairs.

Hello Albert,
I do NOT think that using your Sony with iChat AV poses any greater risk than using it for other things.
I used my Sonys (DCR-TRV17 and DCR-TRV70) for a while, but I switched to iSight before I damaged them. (I am clumsy.)
The kinds of damage I contemplated in the iSight vs Camcorder or other web-cam FAQ were:
- dropping or tipping the camera or the tripod upon which it was mounted,
- contamination from dirt, body oils, or dust, etc.,
- wear on the heads and internal moving components, and
- wear on the camera's electrical connections.
Moreover, regular professional clean and adjust is required for my Sonys based on usage hours. Such is NOT required for iSight.
Some of those risks can be mitigated by careful placement and use and by keeping the tape out when using the camera, but some risk always exists when using the equipment. My thought was that, if I wore out or damaged a camera by using it for hundreds of hours of video chat, I would rather wear out or damage iSight, which is cheaper than my Sonys were.
Please post back what your Sony Service Tech finds. I will be eager to read whether your camera needed more than a professional clean and adjust.
EZ Jim

Can you connect a sony camcorder to a mac to edit the video

Can I connect my Sony camcorder to my mac to get the videos on my mac and edit them?

Yes, that is precisely what iMovie is for, but which camera, what version of iMovie do you have, and what version of OS X?

After connecting my Sony camcorder to imac (Snow Leopard) to import a video the import window does not open. I have imported videos from the sam camcorder successfully before. What could have happened? Puzzled)

After connecting my Sony camcorder to Imac (Snow Leopard) to import a video to imovie 09 the import window does not open. In the past I have successfully imported videos from the same camcorder. What could have happened? Puzzled

Oh my! Obviously, I don't know what I'm doing. But I do know that my goal was to do both---backup AND free some space. My iMAc is old (2006) and I upgraded it a year or so ago to Snow Leopard. I didn't think I had the capability of backing up without an external drive, but maybe I do since I upgraded. Do I?
But I bought this My Book mostly for freeing space because I like to make cards in Photoshop and I'm forever running out of space when I get too many layers (don't really know what I'm doing there, either).
Is there some way that I can rectify my mistakes and start all over?
Thank you so much for beng so prompt with your reply and patient with mine. I tried for so long to see the dialog box with the library listings. When I launched iPhoto, even with holding down the Option key, it kept immediately launching into the full screen. Finally, after an hour of doing it over and over again, it worked when I held the key down for 5 minutes. Then when I was typing my reply, I kept getting a message to "Request Time Out." Didn't know how to do that, so kept hitting the OK button and kept typing for another half minute. Finally, when ready to send, Safari couldn't do it. "Try again" exasperated me until I realized I would have to begin again and use Firefox. When I got there and ready to type, I got the message that my message had been retrienved and did I want to use it?!!
So your kindness is very much appreciated.

Connecting Macbook to Camcorder

I want to connect my Macbook to a digital camcorder and record using iMovie. The camcorder has a mini HDMI out component jack. What is the best way to connect?

I am attempting to do the same thing. The connecting cable is a IEEE 1394 FireWire-compatible one. (I have one by Belkin.)
I, now have a question about which application will download the digital input. I read up in the Help menu and it said to use Image Capture. I found that I.C. doesn't "see" the peripheral. I am, therefore also stuck, but at a different spot in the process.
Any answers re: which application to use will be welcome.

Samsung Mini-DV Camcorder And iChat AV

I have a samsung SCD103 Mini-DV Camcorder and I was wondering, is it possable to use the USB Steam function on Tiger with iChat AV? I want to be able to video chat with my friends. But I don't know it it would work. Would it?

I need some kind of USB stream, becasue if i'm in firewire mode, it is recording to my computer...
Have you actually tried it on a Mac? Your Mac won't record anything unless you open an application, like iMovie, and tell it to start recording.
Perhaps you should post your question in the iChat AV forum since your question is not, technically, related directly to a Mac mini? There are quite a few people in there who may have a suggestion for you.
-Doug

Since upgrading to 10.8 my iMac can't see video files to copy across in Finder when connecting my AVCHD camcorder via USB

Hi, I usually connect my Panasonic AVCHD Camcorder via USB to copy the .MTS files across to my iMac for editing. Since upgrading to Mountain Lion, Finder sees the directories for photos stored on the Camcorder but not the video directories/files. I can see them via Parallels. Any ideas why?
Thanks, Julian

ML will show the AVCHD as a pkg, so you are not able view the directories like BDMV-->Stream-->MTS. You can right click AVCHD file, then choose show package contents. you will see BDMV, then you right click BDMV to choose show package, you will see stream folder, just do it again, you will find MTS files. Next time if you want to check the MTS files you just need to do above again. right click AVCHD....
Another way, rename AVCHD to AVCHD.mts then do it same with BDMV and Stream folder, it will let you see MTS files after that. Those mts files will keep showing on your mac next time.
Hope it helps

Connecting HDR-FX7 camcorder to Macbook Pro help

I have a Sony HDR-FX7 Camcorder. To capture footage it needs an HDV/HV-i.Link cable. The only problem is, (I think) that this doesn't connect to a macbook pro 13inch laptop.
So my question is, what cable(s), what adaptor, if i need one, do I need to connect these.
Here are the ports for my macbook: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3627
Please help me out. Talk to me like I don't know anything about computers, I would be so grateful.

Hi everyone, I picked up on this thread as I am having similar problems with my Sony HDR FX7 camcorder and how it communicates with the latest MAC Book Pro. I have the 9 pin cable referred to in earlier posts, but my new MAC Book Pro does not seem to recognise my camera? I am using Final Cut Pro to edit a video captured by my camera.
In my previous MAC Book I used iMovie to successfully access the video through my MAC, but it doesn't seem to work on the latest MAC Book Pro (or does not recognise the camera)?
Has anyone got any suggestions please?
many thanks

Satellite L300-243 to connect to JVC camcorder

Toshiba Satellite L300-243 was purchased primarily to use with Pinnacle 12 to do video editing.
My previous PC had a 4-4 firewall connection but there is no similar connection on laptop.
Do I use a 4 - USB lead to make the download from camcorder to laptop?
Or is there a different socket on laptop I need to use?
Bob

Hi
I assume the JVC camcorder supports the firewire interface and it was connected to the computer via firewire cable.
Unfortunately, it seems that Satellite L300-243 does not support the firewire port.
In your case you could purchase an Express card which contains firewire port.
Then you could connect the camcorder to the notebook.
Cheers

Backdrops with Sony DV Camcorder in iChat and Photo Booth

Hello I have found the Backdrops will not work with my DV camcorder, I have seen on apple's iChat page that "Backdrop effects when using a DV camcorder require fixed focus, exposure, and white balance". How do I do that with my camcorder (or can it even be done on most?)

Hi,
Do you have an internal iSight as well ? (i.e. not a Mac Mini or Mac Pro)
Do the Backdrops work for that camera in iChat and Photo Booth ?
I have a MacBook Pro and it has an Interanl iSight
I have plugged in an X-Box 360 camera and the current USB 2.0 USB Video Class (UVC) camera I use with my G4 and they work.
Prior to buying the G4 a USB 2.0 Card and a new camera I was using A Dazzle Hollywood DV Convertor with a older Canon UC600 analogue Camcorder (Converting PAL TV signals to DV then via Firewire to the Computer) and this worked to the MacBook Pro as well
With that in mid I am not sure it all about the Auto Focus and White Balance other than those can help get the best pictures.
I would be interested in how the "Video" is getting form camera to computuer ?
What sort of Signal that is ?
Whether Backdrops work anyway ?
7:58 PM Tuesday; July 28, 2009
Please, if posting Logs, do not post any Log info after the line "Binary Images for iChat"

When connecting Sony HDD camcorder to IMAC, it launches Iphoto not Imovie

when I try to connect my camcorder to my IMac for the first time, it launches the iphoto software instead of imovie. How do I get it to launch imovie???
Thanks,
5Cubes

What Camorder do you have? I'm looking to get a Sony DCR-SR45 and I'm finding that it may not be compatible with a mac.

Connecting Panasonic HD Camcorder to I-Movie 08

I have a Panasonic HDC-SD9. It records on SD-HG memory cards. It records in AVCHD format. When I connect my camera to the USB port and open I Movie 08 ,the camera is not recognized. When I say import from camera, the isight camera turns on and is the camera picked. All of the software included with the Panasonic is for PC. When I connect the camera to my Mac the SD card appears on the desktop and I can't get anything to open the movie files. I can open a still photo which looks like the 1st frame of my movie. Any help would appreciated.

Know just how u feel: tore my hair out with a Panasonic HDD-250 (no AVCHD that!) and had to return it to the shop. The video came in a format unrecognisable by iMovie and there was no Firewire slot! I was abt to buy the SD9 (loved its compact size) when a techie Mac supplier/friend told me to buy a Canon instd. I went out and bought the Canon HG10, but at 70% more than what the HDD-250 cost me. The Canon's High Def is amazing, and altho the reviews panned the sound, I hv no problem with it. Had initial problems with iMovie08 and Leopard, but the upgrade of iMovie whc I downloaded enabled me to open the video clips. This is my first camcorder and I love it! So return your Panasonic and get the Canon HG10. Absolutely not connectivity or software problems with iMovie08.

FinalCut Express, iMovie, iTunes ALL crash when I connect my DV camcorder..

Very weird, to me anyway. Two days ago I followed Apple's directions as to how to move my iTunes Library to a new external HD (my main HD was getting perilously full). This worked fine.
However: Now neither Final Cut nor iMovie recognizes my Cannon ZR700 when I try to import/capture footage from it. So long as the camera is plugged into the firewire port & "on" in VTR mode, Final Cut Express, iMovie, & iTunes (why iTunes? what does it have to do with a Cannon ZR700 DV camera?) all freeze up. If I turn the power on the camera off, they un-freeze.
But the main issue is this:
I cannot import ANY clips from the Cannon ZR700 nor get any program to recognize it, whereas before all did. (And why the heck would attaching a camcorder cause iTunes to freeze?)
Anyone gotta clue? This baffles me. I have tried: 1) Restarting the computer; 2) plugging the new external HD (a 500 gig Lacie) & the camera into different firewire ports; 3) verifying & repairing permissions on all drives.
NOTHING helps.
iMac (intel) Mac OS X (10.4.6)

Thank you for the suggestions.
Try to reset PRAM and PMU:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=303319
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=2238
Check. I did this, using the second of the two links you provided (the first seemed to be for MacBook Pros.
Try to repair permission by open application folder >
utilities > disk utility > repair permission, or run
ONYX or machelpmate to repair and optimize your HD.
Check. Did this too, several times. I did it with Dick Utility. I did it booting from my Intsallation Disk. Now I have done w/ Mac Helpmate.
when your external connected, open application
folder> utilities > disk utility andrepair disk for
that external.
Yes. Did this several times too. None of the utilities reports any problems.
Here is some more information:
1) A strange thing: When iMovie or FC Exp freeze while the Cannon ZR700 is on & plugged in, turning the camera off works like a "switch" that sets the programs running again. Very strange.
2) I get the following message in Final Cut on startup if the camera is connected:
"Unable to locate the following external devices:
Apple Firewire NTSC (720x480)."
I do not know what this means. I never saw it before when the ZR700 used to work. I am also asked to check my "capture presets." I suppose I do this in "Easy Set-up." I checked & it is set up for DV-NTSV Firewire Basic. I changed it to a number of other settings: No go. Never recognizes the camera.
3) I am in Japan using an iMac bought here. The Cannon ZR700 I got in the USA. However, as I indicated, they worked fine together until this week: until I added the new external 500 gig HD.
Still puzzled!
Mark

Connecting my miniDV camcorder

I can't connect my Canon ZR-830 camcorder to my new macbook since its lack for firewire input.
I googled for firewire adapters but I didn't find one.
So what can I do in this case??
Thanks,
Amir.

a brody wrote:
Cheaper? Umm...video editing software is nowhere as easy on a PC.
I'll argue the latest version of Adobe software is a much better choice to use than the latest iMovie incarnation. Stay on the mac and you really need to buy Final Cut Express ($200) to do anything outside of basic YouTube uploads.
A used MacBook can be had cheaper that has Firewire
Not a bad idea, but even a used G4 mini still commands $400-$500 on eBay. And that computer can barely handle video editing chores. No, sad to say but the money is better spent on the latest hardware which can handle DV video. Unfortunately that mean the best, most realistic option is to buy a PC.
Hopefully, Apple will come to their senses and add the Firewire port back to the MacBook. It's a necessary interface which should not have been omitted in the first place.

Perfect Connection to the Web, but iChat Refuses to Sign On! Help!

Hello All.
I have a brand new MacBook Pro 17". I'm pretty tech savy, but can't figure this out. Since I upraded to Lion, nmy iChat won't sign in. I'm connected successfully to the web, and otherwise everything is perfect. But when I add my account to iChat. Enable it. And Ask it to sign on, from both the buddy list and the Toolbar- nothing. I'm certain both my login and password are correct. It just won't change off "Offline". Help?

Hi,
In System Preferences > Security > Firewall is the Firewall ON ?
If it is have you been to the Advanced Button and checked Allow Signed Apps is enabled ?
If so is iChat in the list of Allowed app ?
The Next step would be to check iChat is allowed through your Router.
Web Browsing and Mail apps use ports below port 1024. Ports below this figure are almost always open for any computer (or Wifi able Phone) that is connected.
iChat normally logs in to AIM on port 5190 which is above this threshold.
9:41 PM Monday; August 8, 2011
Please, if posting Logs, do not post any Log info after the line "Binary Images for iChat"
 G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
 MacBookPro 2Gb( 10.6.8)
 Mac OS X (10.6.8),
"Limit the Logs to the Bits above Binary Images."  No, Seriously

Connecting a DV Camcorder to iChat

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