HT3290 HD Camcorder
I am looking for an HD camcorder under $400 that is compatible with Mac. I have been reading many consumer complaints of highly recommended camcorders that are not 'friendly' with Mac products in Imovie. Does anyone have any suggestions? The list provided on this website is WAY to overwhelming and doesn't list suggested prices etc. so I have no idea what I am looking at.
I think if you want 720p it has to come from a 24-fps source video (not 30-fps) AND be at a resolution of 1280x720 or higher. However, you can try to play around with QuickTime Pro to see if you can "force" a video to be encoded at 1280x720 as long as you use H.264 and keep the bit rate below 5Mbps.
Using QuickTime Pro I've encoded some standard definition material at 854x480 so it can be viewed full-screen on a 4:3 TV running at 480p and that works with my AppleTV.
However, if you simply use the AppleTV presets in QuickTime it apparently tries to do a "best" match between the source video and the formats that are supported on the AppleTV. Thus, it seems that any 30-fps video beyond a certain size gets encoded at 960x540 which is one half the width and height of true 1080HD (or basically 1/4 the resolution of 1080HD). In some cases, however, the QuickTime presets seem to output 1280x720 at 24-fps (which is the highest encoded resolution that the AppleTV supports).
Interestingly, in the U.S. the most common HD broadcast formats are 30-fps 1080i and 60-fps 720p (where the "f" stands for a full "frame," neither of which the AppleTV will natively support). Thus, the AppleTV drops to 24-fps for its 720p support (which is a good match for most movies and which is used for some HD broadcasts) and expects 960x540 content for a 2X upscaling for its 1080i support.
Similar Messages
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I need help my Sony DVR TRV27 is hooked up to 2011 Mac w Firewire and in addition I also tried USB , I get no response !!! Iphoto , Movie maker I would like to download video to Mac and also be able to do a quick burn on a disk from the cam ! THXS
Hi
A. MUST be via FireWire - Nothing else will work
B. To just get material over to a Playable DVD - Then Use iDVD and Magic iDVD or OneStep DVD function
Else read on
NO CAMERA or A/D-box
Cable
• Are You sure that You are using the FireWire Cable - USB-Cable will not work for miniDV tape Cameras
FireWire - Sure not using the accompany USB-Cable but bought a 4-pin to 6-pin (or 9-pin) FW one ?
• Test another FW-Cable very often the problem maker.
Camera
• Test Your Camera on another Mac so that DV-in still works OK
• Toggle in iMovie pref. Play-back via Camera (on <-> off some times)
• Some Cameras has a Menu where You must select DV-out to get it to work
• Camera connected to "charger" (mains adaptor) - not just on battery
• Camera set in Playback mode - NOT Recording mode
Does Your Camera work on another Mac ?
Sorry to say it is to easy to turn the 6-pin end of the FW-cable 180 deg wrong.
This is lethal to the A/D-chip in the Camera = needs an expensive repair.
(Hard to find out - else than import/export to another Mac ceased to work
everything else is OK e.g. recording and playback to TV)
A/D-box
• Is the dip-switches set right ?
• Set to same standard as recorded/editing e.g. NTSC 29.97fps or PAL 25fps
• Try resetting it
Connections
• Daisy Chaining most often doesn’t work (some unique cases - it’s the only way that work (some Canon Cameras ?))
Try to avoid connecting Camera <--> external HD <--> Mac but import directly to the Mac then move
the Movie project to dedicated external hard disk.
• FireWire-port - Can be re-setted by - Turn off Mac and disconnecting Mac from Mains/Power for 20-30 minutes
External device’s (hard disk’s)
• Should be FireWire as USB/USB2 performs badly and so does Airport or Net-work connected ones too.
• MUST BE - Mac OS Extended formatted - UNIX/DOS/FAT32/Mac OS Exchange - DO NOT WORK for video due to 4Gb barrier.
Mac
• Free space on internal (start-up) hard disk ? Please specify the amount of free space.
(Other hard disks don't count)
I go for a minimum of 25Gb free space for 4x3 SD Video - and my guess is 5 times more for 16x9 HD ones
after material is imported and edited. No Camera or A/D-box
• GarageBands fix - Close iMovie, Open GarageBand, Play some notes, Close GB and iMove can now be OK
• Does Your Mac have a FireWire Port
• White MacBooks - don't
• MacBook-Air - don't
if not then a few Mac’s has a PCM-CIA slot and there are FW-Cards that makes a FW-port this way
else - NO SOLUTION
Only option as I get it is either
• Use another Mac to Capture material (to an external USB2 - Mac OS Extended formatted hard disk - or -
• Change to another Camera that can be used with Your Mac (no there are no miniDV tape Cameras that can)
• If Your Mac-Book has a PCM-CIA Card place - then there are FW-port-Cards and then
You can import via this - but I've not seen this on more modern Macs. My PowerBook G4
has one and this FW-Card-port works greatly.
SoftWare
• Delete iMovie pref. file may help sometimes. I rather start a new account, log into this and have a re-try.
• Any strange Plug-ins into QuickTime as Perian etc ? Remove and try again.
• FileVault is off ? (hopefully)
• Screen Saver - OFF
• Energy Saver - OFF
Using WHAT versions ? .
• Mac OS - X.5.4 ?
• QuickTime version ? (This is the heart in both iMovie and FinalCut)
• iMovie’08 (7.1.?), 09 or 11 ?
• iMovie HD 6 (6.0.4/3) ?
Other ways to import Your miniDV tape
• Use another Camera. There where tape play-back stations from SONY
but they costed about 2-4 times a normal miniDV Camera.
• If Your Camera works on another Mac. Make an iMovie movie project here and move it
over to Your Mac via an external hard disk.
(HAS TO BE Mac OS Extended formatted - USB/DOS/FAT32/Mac OS Exchange WILL NOT DO)
(Should be a FireWire one - USB/USB2 performs badly)
from LKN 1935.
Hi Bengt W, I tried it all, but nothing worked. Your answer has been helpful insofar as all the different trials led to the conclusion that there was something wrong with my iMovie software. I therefore threw everything away and reinstalled iMovie from the HD. After that the exportation of DV videos (there has not been any problem with HDV videos) to my Sony camcorders worked properly as it did before. Thank you. LKN 1935
from Karsten.
in addition to Bengt's excellent '9 yards of advice' ..
camera set to 'Play' , not rec/computer/etc.?
camera not on battery, but power-line?
did your Mac 'recognize' this camera before...?
a technical check.
connect camera, on, playback, fw-connected...
click on the Blue Apple, upper left of your screen ..
choose 'About . . / More . .
under Firewire.. what do you read . . ?
More
• FileVault - Secure that it’s turned off
• Network storage - DOESN’T WORK
• Where did You store/capture/import Your project ?
External USB hard disk = Bad Choice / FireWire = Good
If so it has to be Mac OS Extended formatted
----> UNIX/DOS/FAT32/Mac OS Exchange is NOT Working for VIDEO !
mbolander
Thanks for all your suggestions. What I learned is that I had a software problem. I had something called "Nikon Transfer" on my Mac that was recognizing my Canon camcorder as a still camera and was preventing iMovie from working properly. After un-installing Nikon Transfer and doing a reboot, everything worked great.
I never liked the Nikon Transfer software anyway--I guess I'll get a cheap card reader and use that to transfer photos in the future.
No Camera or bad import
• USB hard disk
• Network storage
• File Vault is on
jiggaman15dg wrote
if you have adobe cs3 or 4 and have the adobe bridge on close that
or no firewire will work
see if that helps
DJ1249 wrote
The problem was the external backup hard drive that is connected, you need to disconnect the external drive before the mac can see the video camera.
MaryBoog wrote
Maybe your problems is solved in the meantime, but for all others this might help as I had the same problem, also have the Sony HDR-HC7, but the 7e (Europe, PAL). I found this link today and it works perfectly
//support.sony-europe.com/tutorials/dime/videotransfer/vtransfer.aspx site=odw_en_GB&sec=DVH&m=HDR-HC7E
What I exactly did.- put camera in play mode - open guide - choose connection guide - choose comp./printer (where to transfer movie to) - select connection.- i-link (on my camera) but equal to firewire - OK - choose HDV - choose NO for conversion of i.link.
Settings are shown then (VCR HDV/DV.- HDV and i.link-conv..- OFF), press OK, OK, END.
Switch camera off. Connect firewire cable to camera & Mac. Switch camera on, in play/edit mode.
Open i-movie, choose import from camera. On screen below the camera connection is shown.- DV (HDV). Now you can import, automatically or manually.
This worked perfectly for me. Took me 2 days to find out. Could not find any clear thread explaining what I had to do on the camera and the manual was not clear either.
Yours Bengt W -
Looking for best compatible camcorder for Mac
Which format is best duited for I movie and Macbook's in general. I want a mid level camcorder for vacations and family and would like ease of use for editing in I movie & other video editing programs with my new Macbook pro. Is Mini DV still the format of choice? What about SD flash?
thanksStart your research here:
iMovie 11 - cameras supported:
http://help.apple.com/imovie/cameras/en/index.html?lang=en_US
iMovie 9 - cameras supported:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3290?viewlocale=en_US
iMovie 8 Camcorders supported:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1014
Digital camera RAW formats supported by OS X Lion:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4757?viewlocale=en_US
Digital camera RAW formats supported by OS X Snow Leopard:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3825?viewlocale=en_US -
SONY HDR XR150 - Camcorder is not recognized by iMOVIE
Dear all:
_I own the Sony HDR XR150 camcorder and cannot get my MAC to recognize that my camcorder is connected._
I have a Mac laptop Powerbook G4 and am running OS X version 10.4.11. I have iMOVIE 6.03 (267.2).
When I am in iMOVIE the camcorder is not recognized. :[
It states "No camcorder attached" even when I have small Firewire cable running from camcorder to larger firewire cable plugged into MAC. My footage on camcorder is on hard drive. I have no idea if the footage was taped in a certain format and I mention this because there are lots of formats written about in this forum - I just assumed everything was recorderd in HD. I simply hit record on camcorder to tape footage. When connected, I click on a button on camcorder for USB connect that uses the Internal Hard Drive (where my footage is). However, my camcorder is not recognized on iMOVIE.
I am worried that the problem is I do not have an Intel based Mac. The software that came with Sony camcorder called PMB (Picture Motion Browser - only works with Windows.)
This is what I dug up online.
Tapeless Camcorder Support
iMovie '09 works with many tapeless camcorders that record to flash memory, a hard disk drive (HDD), or DVD media. These devices use a USB 2.0 cable and include camcorders using MPEG-2 (standard definition), MPEG-4, AVCHD, and H.264 formats. If you use the AVCHD format you will need a Mac with an Intel-based Core Duo processor or better.
Due to the wide range of media types, and the different ways manufacturers store video on these media types, not all tapeless camcorders are compatible with iMovie '09.
NTSC Camcorders
PAL Camcorders
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3290
*CAN ANYONE CLUE ME IN AS TO HOW TO GET MY SONY CAMCORDER TO BE RECOGNIZED IN IMOVIE?*My friend just wrote this to me as a possible solution...
It doesn't surprise me that AVCHD is only supported on Intel machines. Apple tends to stop updating older products/software in favor of their newer lines. To their credit, high compression HD codecs are processor intensive, and older hardware would have a hard time with it.
The camera may have some alternate options for video file type... Check the manual or help docs. Unfortunately, that could mean SD recording rather than HD.
I DON'T KNOW IF MY FRIEND'S INFORMATION MIGHT HELP SOMEONE GIVE ME SOME EVEN BETTER IDEAS AS A SUGGESTION. AVCHD is a high-def video format that allows HD camcorders and some digital cameras to record video at resolutions up to 1920 x 1080. SOUNDS LIKE MY FRIEND IS SAYING IF I DON'T RECORD IN HD ON MY SONY CAMCORDER MAYBE MY IMOVIE WILL BE COMPATIBLE WITH IT. BUT MY IMOVIE DOES NOT EVEN RECOGNIZE MY CAMCORDER... SO I DON;T THINK HIS SUGGESTION WILL WORK...
SUGGESTIONS? -
I have a Mac Os X and a Sony HDR-CX7 camcorder. When I get onto the Sony webpage to download the program so I can import my movies, they only have programs Windows. How do I get this for my Mac.
You shouldn't need any application except what you already have: iMovie, iDVD, iPhoto....
To check on compatibility with your model camcorder, check these out:
https://support.apple.com/kb/HT3290
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3356
Some formats are not readable by the above; you can use something like MPEG Streamclip to convert the footage or Quicktime Pro (as mentioned in one of the articles). -
How can I import video and sound from my sony camcorder?
I have just bought the mac. I'm struggling to import video AND sound from my Sony DCR-SR87 hard disk handycam camcorder. From what I've read already, I ended up purchasing and downloading Quicktime MPEG2, and used the Utility MPEG Component Lion from downloaded MPEG Streaming 1.9.3b6 to enable video and sound to play on the computer directly from the camcorder. The problem is that when I import these clips using iphoto (it pops up when I connect the camcorder), the sound does not accompany the video onto the computer. I've hit something of a brick wall and would really appreciate any help.
OK, according to
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3290
your camera is supported by iMovie 9. Perhaps the question is better asked in the iMovie forum. Would you like me to ask a moderator to move the thread? -
I need to buy a camcorder -- upgrading from a Flip. Which would you recommend as easiest to use with iMovie 11? Which for Final Cut Pro? Thanks!
You can't run iMovie 11 on a PPC G5 running the old OS 10.3 Panther - which is what you say you have.
iMovie 11 - cameras supported:
http://help.apple.com/imovie/cameras/en/index.html?lang=en_US
iMovie 9 - cameras supported:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3290?viewlocale=en_US
iMovie 8 Camcorders supported:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1014
Digital camera RAW formats supported by OS X Lion:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4757?viewlocale=en_US
Digital camera RAW formats supported by OS X Snow Leopard:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3825?viewlocale=en_US -
I need a camcorder that shoots in 1080 HD AVCHD format. The camera needs an external mic jack that is 3.4 mm to connect a lav mic or even a wireless receiver. It has to have optical zoom and manual focus. (Can have auto also.) This camera also needs a HDMI port that allows for the camera to send a live video signal into a 2.6GHz Intel Core i7, 16 GB Retina Macbook Pro into a program such as Boinx TV. Please tell me if the Canon Vixia HF G30 or a similar camera would work for this. Would I also need a Blackmagic video capture card in this process? Thank you for the help.
iMovie can do this if the camera is compatible:
iMovie 11 - cameras supported:
http://help.apple.com/imovie/cameras/en/index.html?lang=en_US
iMovie 9 - cameras supported:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3290?viewlocale=en_US -
Given these criteria, which camcorder would you recommend?
As I research more, the more questions arise. Of the four kinds of camcorders *(High Definition, Standard Definition, Flash Memory, Standard Definition DVD, and Standard Definition mini DVD)*, *which kind is best suited for iMovie '09?* I realize that there is a link which shows which camcorders work with it, but my question is narrower. By this I mean:
I read that CMOS image sensors conflict with the Image Stabilization in iMovie '09. Therefore, I do not want a camcorder with a CMOS IMAGE SENSOR. It has to be the other kind.
A sideshoot question: If the camcorder lacks Image Stabilization, will that be taken care of in the iMovie '09 application? If so, then I don't need to look for IS as a requirement in a camcorder.
I read that there are ways that one can make a standard definition look like high definition on the YouTube video, so I think that High Definition is not that crucial. I saw a YouTube video shot with a camcorder that did not have High Definition, and it/the video, look very very sharp. It looked High Def without the downsides of High Def.
Because I want a small camcorder, I chose the Flash Memory Camcorders. I also love the idea of having separate memory cards for raw footage in each video.
I now have a Sony digital video camera recorder DCR-TRV 11, which uses cassettes, so I do not need to get another one of the same type. I want one that is smaller *that works seamlessly with iMovie '09* with no extra steps involved such as decompressing a compressed video. I read something that jolted me: It said that flash memory compresses the video and that one would have to de-compress that video. *IS THIS TRUE?*
Can anyone give me some thoughts and advice or wise counsel on this?
I am looking at the *Canon FS100,*
*Canon FS200,*
*Sony DCR-HC52*
Studying hard, but finding new questions around each corner.........
-L
Message was edited by: Lorna from Hawaii
Message was edited by: Lorna from Hawaii/I guess, this will be a record-breaking Lorna-twitters-thread.. /
ok, from top-to-bottom:
• list of Apple-tested devices: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3290?viewlocale=en_US
(this list means 'tested'! usually, devices of same 'family' do work, as XS100/listed, XS110/XS130 not listed but supported too.
• DVD-corders = NoGo .. (please, Lorna, don't ask why .. you don't want it. period. )
• CMOS-probs are demonstrated and explained on my site: http://sites.google.com/site/karstenschluter/imovie09jellodemo
you will hardly get now-adays a non-CMOS consumer camcorder..
one simple (=in means of doesn't work everytime) workaround: set shutter-speed as short as possible.. IF device supports manual shutter speed...
• nothing replaces HiDef. period.
• .. but *HiDef ≠ HiDef* .. there are devices claiming 'FullHD', but using plastic-lenses, offering only digital-zoom, 'chip' is small as a pin-head, no native 1080-pixel res, PLUS low bitrates.
• compressing... bitrates define pic-quality. actual top-of-the-line: ~22Mbit/sec; 15-17 is fine; any under 10 is nonsense with FullHD ..
.. which uses cassettes, so I do not need to get another one of the same type.
so, why is the HC-52 on your list ?
all three devices on your list are SD - any reason for that?
imho, SD + flash-mem devices usually compress too much (=low bitrate)
what is your main delivery media? DVD? web? ... ?
a good source for tech. info is camcorderinfo.com
general 'Lorna advice':
there is no such thing as the perfect device.
make your own list of needs&want-haves; what about mic-in? what about battery charger? what about 'handling'/too big, too small? what about size of wallet? what about tripod, scuba-cases, wireless mics, lights...? ...
NO, Lorna, don't answer too me, answer yourself.. -
Connect camcorder to Macbook Pro?
I have an early 2011 Macbook Pro. I want to connect a camcorder to my Macbook so I can record using Quicktime Player/iMovie. I read that DV/FireWire out is required on the camcorder, however as my budget is £150 I have been unable to find a SINGLE camcorder with DV out
Are there any alternatives (or does anybody know any cheap camcorders)?Never knew you could buy a camcorder for only £150 !
These links may offer suggestions:
iMovie 11 - cameras supported:
http://help.apple.com/imovie/cameras/en/index.html?lang=en_US
iMovie 9 - cameras supported:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3290?viewlocale=en_US
iMovie 8 Camcorders supported:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1014
Digital camera RAW formats supported by OS X Lion:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4757?viewlocale=en_US
Digital camera RAW formats supported by OS X Snow Leopard:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3825?viewlocale=en_US -
What is the best way to import movers from my Sony camcorder to my MacBook pro?
Greetings,
Depending on what version of iMovie came with your computer and if the model of camcorder you have is on the supported list, importing directly to iMovie from the camcorder would be the built in method on your computer:
iMovie '11: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=iMovie/9.0/en/mov39f84bc2.html
iMovie '09: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3290
Otherwise you might need additional software to convert the file type that camera produces.
If you plug the camera into the computer and look inside it you can see what type of file it creates (.mov, .dv, .mts, etc.) Once you know what kind of file it creates we can suggest programs to convert them.
Cheers. -
Which HD camcorder will work with iMovie '09?
Hello folks,
It's time to upgrade my old camcorder (a Sony Digital 8) with something from this century (HD).
I have my eyes on these products:
Sony HDR PJ10
Sony HDR XR160
Canon Vixia HF 400 (but this one records on memory card only, aparently)
To my surprise, Sony says that Mac OS X is not supported (Duuuh?! Wake up, people!) Also, from what I can see in the specifications, none of these offer a firewire connection (only USB)
Does anyone have experience with any of these three models? Do they work with Snow Leopard & iMovie?
I am familiar with the camcorder support list provided by Apple - http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3290#2 - however, I noticed that none of these cameras appear there. Moreover, under Sony it seems that HDR XR 150 is supported, but that is an older model.
Any input is greatly appreciated.
Regards,
LoerinczI have a Panasonic HDC-SD700 and use it with iMovie '09. You can also use just the SDHC card to transfer files into iMovie rather than having to connect the camcorder.
Hope this helps. (By the way, it is a good camera too) -
HI. Everyone. Which sony HD camcorder best matches with Mac OS and its software?
Thanks.[Supported Sony devices for Final Cut Studio|http://www.apple.com/finalcutstudio/resources/supportdevices.php#results ]
[List of cameras supported by iMovie|http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3290] -
Which camcorder do I buy for iMovie 09
Hello,
I am an actor and have been asked to start sending hard copies (i.e. dvds) of my auditions over to the US. I therefore am hoping to go out and buy a new camcorder.
The quality and sound have to be good and ultimately in-built as I travel frequently and would find add-on microphones, tripods etc somewhat cumbersome. I would also, therefore, quite like the camcorder to be a decent portable size. I understand that the above qualities lean toward pricier models but I am hoping not to spend too much money...
I plan to plug the camcorder into my MacBook Pro (2.33 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 2 GB 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM - hope that's helpful ?!), edit it down to the 'takes I like,' somehow burn a dvd and send it off. I have no intention of keeping the taped footage - once I have sent it off I am happy to not see it again.
I would also, ideally, like to upload the audition and email a link to it for my agent in the US to see while the hard copy is in the post. I don't quite know how this would be done either.
Many thanks in advance for any assistance.Here are some personal suggestions:
_ Look for a camera that is in the Support list: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3290#6
_ For portability reasons, pick a device that uses a SD Memory Card or Built-in Memory.
_ To easily distribute your content online, I highly suggest using MobileMe to share your videos.
Check out this link: http://movies.apple.com/media/us/mac/ilife/imovie/2009/tutorials/apple-ilife-imo vie-publishyour_movie_to_mobileme_gallery-us-20090128r640-10cie.mov?width=640&height=400
Happy movie making! -
Samsung camcorder recording H.264 - compatible with iMovie?
I just bought an HD camcorder that records in H.264 format, it has not arrived and I may need to cancel the order.
Although the listing from the site I bought it from claimed Mac compatability, upon reading the specs on the mfr website it appears to NOT be Mac compatible. However I'm told that may relate only to video editing software etc.
Even though the specs show it as not being compatible, is it likely to be able to connect a camcorder and import an H.264 video on the camera's SDHC card into iMovie even if the included software cannot be used?this may or may not help
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3290
rr
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