Imovie and Sony harddrive camcorders

This really has me confused. I keep reading posts in this forums where knowledgable people are saying don't buy harddrive Sony's as they will not work with mac using usb and imovies and to work you have to buy a mini tapes camera and use firewire. Well I purchased a Sony DCR-SR82 (60gig hard drive)and I have the imac do 20 intel. After reading the advice of some great people in this forum I downloaded MPEG Streamclip (free) and the Apple Quicktime plugin mpeg viewer ($19)so now I connect my Sony by USB2 and download the movies to Streamclip, convert to dv and then make movies with imovie and burn with idvd and everything so far works great. It is so nice to not bother with tapes and the Sony makes great vidios. Also I believe that imovie makes better videos that the Sony software for the pc side. I just wanted to share in case other people might want to try this also. jim_joh2

Hi jim:
I am one of those that often suggests that imovie users should not purchase Harddrive cameras, but only IF
*The harddrive camera does not have a firewire or USB2 port
Or if
*The user wants to import directly to imovie from the camera without having to use third-party applications
Many folks here just want to 'plug and play' their cameras. It's those that do not understand how to convert (or those who do want to convert) that usually get the advice of not getting a Hard Drive Camera.
Also, there may be some quality reduction when converting from MPEG-2 to .dv (and then back again if you want to burn a DVD).
:)Just my 2¢ FWIW
Sue

Similar Messages

IMovie and Sony camera can connect, but nothing imports

My iMovie and Sony HD camera can connect fine...I can control my camera from imovie, but when i click import, it plays (plays on camera and timer on imovie starts) but the screen remains blue and no video is actually imported.

Did you try Sue's excellent suggestion of the Garage band trick anyway?
Also, try deleting iMovie's preference file...the plist found in YourUserName->Library->preferences->com.apple.iMovieplist. Close iMovie, trash the plist. iMovie will create another one when you launch iMovie again.
Do you have the camcorder plugged directly into your computer's Firewire port? Some camcorders don't work properly if they are connected into another device. And, just to be sure, you do have the camcorder set to VTR, right?

IMovie and Sony handycam DCR-HC20

I have a Sony handycam DCR-HC20, it records onto miniDV. I hook it up with a firewire cable to my computer to import video AND after uploading video onto iMovie for five minutes or less it crashes. I have tried other computers and the same problems occur. The camera worked fine with my last computer. I've been to the Apple Store and I forgot my camera so they couldn't help me.
Is my camera model just outdated?

Welcome to discussions!
When you start up iMovie, and the first dialog box appears that gives you the option to create a new movie, etc. Underneath that is a drop-down arrow named Video format. Click on that and choose HDV 1080i, then see if it imports.
Sue

IMovie and Sony HDV DVcam

Hi
I'm Trying to import HDV 1081i into iMovie but it doesnt seem to work. I've created a new HD 1081 project in iMovie and it appears to be connect with the camera (i.e. iMovie controls the camera's play, rewind etc.). But it doesn't allow me to import anything - in fact the iMovie screen remains blue.
Does anyone have experience with this camera? (Model HVP-V1E)
Thanks
Matt

Welcome to discussions.
I quote QuickTimeKirk:
”Open the Audio MIDI Setup application (Utilities folder).
Try changing the settings to 44100Hz (CD Quality) or to 48000Hz (typical of the iMovie formats).
Others call this the GarageBand fix. Opening GB also resets the Audio MIDI Setup.”
If that is too hard ..just do this!
*Open GarageBand
*Play a few notes
*Close Garageband
*Open imovie
*Camera should be recognized now.
Sue

IMovie and Sony Camcorders

I recently purchased a Sony Camcorder - Tape based MiniDV - DCR-HC62. When I plug in the camcorder using a Firewire cable, iMovie 08 does not see the camcorder. The hardware overview does show the camcorder being plugged in using the Firewire port. Has anyone else had this problem with this camcorder model or similar models such as the DCR-HC54/HC52 ?

Welcome to Apple iMovie discussions. I am not sure why your cam is not recognized by iMovie 08. MiniDV cams should work easily with any version of iMovie. Do you have the cam set on "playback"? Some cams have a PC setting which won't allow capture of the video.
You might try the free download of iMovie HD6, which, in the opinion of many, is still a better programme than the 08 version. Go here for that.
http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/imovieHD6.html

IMovie and extern harddrive

I need some help... When I moved one of my iMovie projects over to an extern harddrive it all seemed fine, but now it's just like this:
So when I open the project it goes to textedit... And this is a very important video of mine, so if someone could please share any info/tips/soloution I would be very happy!

Hi jim:
I am one of those that often suggests that imovie users should not purchase Harddrive cameras, but only IF
*The harddrive camera does not have a firewire or USB2 port
Or if
*The user wants to import directly to imovie from the camera without having to use third-party applications
Many folks here just want to 'plug and play' their cameras. It's those that do not understand how to convert (or those who do want to convert) that usually get the advice of not getting a Hard Drive Camera.
Also, there may be some quality reduction when converting from MPEG-2 to .dv (and then back again if you want to burn a DVD).
:)Just my 2¢ FWIW
Sue

Is iMovie HD Compatible w/ Sony DVD camcorders?

Trying to find out how they will play together before I fork out the $$$.
The Sony DVD camcorders I am considering (DCRDVD405 or the 505 coming out in March) both record on a mini DVD. The cam manual says that "only photos can be downloaded to Mac." It only uses USB 2, no firewire.
But I read here in a thread that with a $20 Quicktime Playback component for Mpeg-2, I can copy the DVD to the desktop (?) and then import to iMovie.
1. Can the iMac read a mini-DVD?
2. Will I experience a loss in quality when I import from Mpeg 2?
Thanks for any advice...
iMac 20" Intel Mac OS X (10.4.2)

Hi Phyllis,
as Sue said:
1. Can the iMac read a mini-DVD?
NO! it has a slot-in drive, you can kill it by using non-standard size/shaped disks....
2. Will I experience a loss in quality when I import from Mpeg 2?
For sure! mpeg(2) is a playback format, tricking the eye... the basic principle, why 1h mpeg2 is just 2GB, but 1h miniDV is 13GB: it doesn't store every frame of video (1sec=30 frames), just "differences". If you want to edit such stuff with frame-precision, your Mac needs a lot of computation to "estimate" the content of each frame=VERY lossy process! (not, because a Mac cannot esitmate, but.......;-) )
3. iM sends some commands to cameras (play, ff, rew, rec)... these commands are not understood by a dvd-camcorder......
4. you get tapes even in Ivorycoast (we had that lately here....), but mini-dvd-r....?
5. you get miniDV cameras with a MUCH better pic quality then any miniDVD camera....
6. tape has a longer lifespan then dvd-r (Hi Lennart! <inside joke>)
7. some miniDV have analouge input - good for new life of old VHS/videodisks/recording your best PSP1 game....
8. ......... forget that miniDVD thing........... ;-))

I have home videos from a Sony DCR-HC20 and am trying to get them onto my IMac in itunes or imovie and I have it plugged in with a USB and don't know where it is or what to do next.

I have home videos from a Sony DCR-HC20 and am trying to get them onto my IMac in itunes or imovie and I have it plugged in with a USB and don't know where it is or what to do next.

Hello, not certain, but turn the Camera onto Play if it has such a setting, does it show up in iMovie then?

TS2289 I updated iMovie and now why isn't there any audio when I import movies from my Sony camera?

I updated iMovie and now why isn't there any audio when I import movies from my Sony camera?

What version of iMovie?
What camera?

TS3720 I have updated to Mac OS X v10.6.7 and STILL cannot get video into iMovie from Sony HDR SR11 :-( PLEASE HELP ME ...

I have updated to Mac OS X v10.6.7 and STILL cannot get video into iMovie from Sony HDR SR11 :-( PLEASE HELP ME ...

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Your profile data is stored elsewhere in the [http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_folder_-_Firefox Firefox Profile Folder], so you won't lose your bookmarks and other personal data.

2012 Macbook Pro and Sony DCR PC1 Connection

Hello all,
My Sony has a 4 pin FW 400 out and I have been using a friend's iPac with FW 400 in to import videos into iMovie without any problem.
I just got a Macbook Pro with FW 800 port and a Rocketfish 4 pin 400 to 9 pin 800 cable. Unfortunately my MBP is not recognizing my camera. I took it back to the store and they tried another cable of the same brand and the store MBP, it still didn't work.
Can someone please help me identifying the right cable or adapter for this setup.
Thank you very much, much appreciated.
PS: Both my friend's iMac and ny my MBP has Mountaion Lion and iMovie 9.0.8

Hi
There are lot's of things that can do this. Most often the 4-pin to 9-pin (FW800) Cable is the problem but there are more.
• Use of 4-pin - 6-Pin and a 9-pin adaptor MAKES things even WORSE
• Camera MUST be connected to Mains-Adaptor (Don't know WHY - but it usually make the difference)
• Camera can be turned on from start - OR one can try to toogle On/Off when connected - My TRS-900E usually suddenly connects.
Here is my notes on this problem.
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

IMac G5 (10.3.9) and Sony Handycam (w/ Hard Drive)

I am trying to purchase a camcorder and do not know which one to get. Sony tells me that none of their dvd or hard drive camcorders are compatible with Mac and would need a third-party software for it to work, however, a friend of mine has an older Sony Handycam (with tapes) and says it works perfectly with iMove and has never had to load any additional software. Does anyone know if the Sony Handycam (hard drive) will work without using pixela software? Or can anyone give me a good camcorder recommendation ... I know that Canon has some models that are compatible with Mac but I don't know which one to buy. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Any camcorder that records on media other than miniDV tape will not interface with the mac in a way that allows you to download the file to edit. That is why the Sony (or any other camcorder) the records on DVD disks don't work. As for brands and recommendations, Sony miniDV tape cameras come highly recommended although other brands also have their fans. You should look at any reputable brand and decide based on $$$ and your personal preference according to needs. But, you need to make sure it records on miniDV tape.
A couple of other notes: The camera needs to have a FireWire interface. And some Canon cameras will only connect via FireWire if no other FireWire devices are connected to your Mac.
Also, you might want to switch your inquiries on this matter to the forums on iMovie and iDVD. Lots of respondents there that have far more expertise than me.

Suddenly my event library in iMovie 11 is empty. I have tried deleting the plist, importing clips from multiple locations (to see if they show up in the library), re-installing iMovie, and re-installing Mountain Lion. Help??

Suddenly my event library in iMovie 11 is empty. I have tried deleting the plist, importing clips from multiple locations (to see if they show up in the library), re-installing iMovie, and re-installing Mountain Lion.
I was working on a project, when all of a sudden the event library went blank. There are no devices showing in the left column, only "last import" and "aperture videos". There are no video clips in the editing window. I have "Show: All Clips" selected. I've tried "group events by disk".
When I have a Project open, it plays just fine. There are no yellow triangles saying "source clip is missing". Yet, again...nothing is in the event library large editing window. So, it seems the data is still there, but invisible. This is true with all the projects, and all the external devices I've experimented by plugging in to see if their video clips show up in the event library.
I have tried to import new movies, and iMovie responds as normal...looking like it's importing, then "generating thumbnails", then it makes the "ding" signalling that the import is complete...but nothing shows in the event library. I've tried importing movies from the harddrive, from quicktime, and from an external drive.
I have searched the forums, and found many users with a similar, but not the same, problem. For them, it seems the "go to users-library-preferences and delete iMovie plist" has solved their problem. This didn't work for me.
I uninstalled/reinstalled iMovie, I even have re-installed Mountain Lion (from a last-ditch effort suggestion from Apple technician).
HERE'S AN INTERESTING DETAIL: After almost 5 hours on the phone with Apple, I decided to cut my losses and take my project to another Mac I have. I'm working on a project, for work, that is critical that it's completed by tonight (whoops), and all my video is on an external drive. So, I plug in the external drive to Mac #2, open iMovie, and everything is looking fine. I continue importing some files I was converting, through Wondershare, and suddenly (whether or not this has to do with the importing, I'm not sure), the SAME THING happened to Mac #2!!!! I can't believe this.
Does anyone have any suggestions? Have you ever heard of this happening? Could it have to do with the files I'm importing???
I apologize if my language is confusing. Obviously, I'm not an Apple genius-person! I hope I've provided all the information you need.
Mac #1 is a 27" desktop, mid-2012, software up-to-date. Mac #2 is a 24" desktop, about 4 years old, OSX 10.7.5

I'm adding more information:
in Finder, my iMovie folders are all visible and accessible. When I click on a clip from iMovie Events folder, Quicktime opens and plays the clip. ALL my video is not missing - it just isn't showing up in the Event Library!
This happened all of a sudden, while I was working on iMovie project (on both computers).
All my Projects are intact, and play when I open them.

IMovie (and iMac) does not recognize device(s)

Hello and thanks for reading. I know this topic is like beating a dead horse but this one is unique. I'm a professional editor and I couldn't figure this out so any help would be appreciated. Here's the play by play:
I edit using FCP 5.1.4 and have for years. I've had the same set up running for years and do high volume editing.
I have a chain of 4 Lacie drives, all connected by firewire.
At the end of that string, I have my tape player for capturing footage, a Sony GV-HD700, which then goes on to the TVs, DVD players, etc.
Also the end of that string, I also have a disc burner for making DVDs.
So it goes: iMac > Lacie #1 > Lacie #2 > Lacie #3 > Lacie #4 > Sony tape player & DVD burner > TVs, VCRs, etc.
Yesterday, I was in a rush and the DVD burner was going slow so I unplugged it from the end of the string of Lacie drives and plugged it directly into the back of the computer to see if it would burn faster.
It didn't, so I plugged it back into the end of the Lacie string.
At that point, Lacie #4 became unrecognizable to the computer and therefore so was the tape player, which is further down the chain.
When I plugged the tape player high up the chain, into Lacie #3, it still was not recognized.
I plugged the tape player (Sony GV-HD700) directly into the back of the computer...still not recognized.
I took the Sony GV-HD700 into our other editing bay and it was still not recognized.
I pulled out my camera (Sony HDR-FX1000) and plugged it directly into the back of the original computer...recognized just fine.
I plugged Sony HDR-FX1000 camera into the back of Lacie #2...recognized just fine.
I took the Sony HDR-FX1000 camera into our other editing bay...recognized just fine.
I have a big deadline so I said "Screw it." and was just going to capture from the camera for the time being.
I reset the Lacie drive chain, plugged the Camera into the back of Lacie #4 (just like the original setup) and BANG: Lacie #4 and the Sony HDR-FX1000 camera was not recognized.
I plugged the Sony HDR-FX1000 camera directly into the back of the computer...still not recognized.
I took the Sony HDR-FX1000 camera into our other editing bay...still not recognized.
I thought it might be a Final Cut Pro issue so I pulled up iMovie and it does not recognize any device connected to the computer even though I'm looking directly at it plugged in.
The entire iMac has lost the ability to recognize devices that I've used for years. I've now lost the ability to capture footage and I'm running out of time. It's almost as if the devices were getting infected by one of the Lacie drives (I think Lacie #4). Is that even possible? Has anyone ever heard of something like this? I don't know if it's something I need to change on the iMac to recognize them again, or if it's a setting on the device to reset the connection, or if somehow the Lacie drive corrupted the devices and made them unrecognizable to iMacs.
It's very, very weird.
Thanks for your help.
27" iMac (2009)
OS X 10.8.5
Final Cut Pro 5.1.4
Tape player: Sony GV-HD700
Camera: Sony HDR-FX1000
I've had this setup for years so I don't know what type firewire it is.

See:
iOS: Device not recognized in iTunes for Windows

2012 Macbook Pro and Sony DCR PC!

I have a MBA and my Sony only has Firewire, 400, so a friend of mine was importing the micro cassetes from my old camera, into his Macbook Pro with iMovie and transferring them to a thumb drive for me to use. The last time he did this was early 2012.
So I decided to get a Macbook Pro myself when I realized I have 10 years worth of recording I need to import.
Simple right? Well no, I ran into an unexpected problem; my MBP is not recognizing my Sony. It does not show up under devices and importing it from within iMovie brings up the Facetime camera.
I took it back to the store, they switched MBPs, switched cables and no luck.
The store MBPs had Lion and I have Mountain Lion. The store version of iMovie was 9.0.6 and mine 9.0.8
Can someone please help, my only pupose in getting the MBP is for the Firewire port for these old videos.
I am very confused what happened to change this in the last 6-8 months.
Sorry for the long winded post.
Much appreciated, thanks

I have a MBA and my Sony only has Firewire, 400, so a friend of mine was importing the micro cassetes from my old camera, into his Macbook Pro with iMovie and transferring them to a thumb drive for me to use. The last time he did this was early 2012.
So I decided to get a Macbook Pro myself when I realized I have 10 years worth of recording I need to import.
Simple right? Well no, I ran into an unexpected problem; my MBP is not recognizing my Sony. It does not show up under devices and importing it from within iMovie brings up the Facetime camera.
I took it back to the store, they switched MBPs, switched cables and no luck.
The store MBPs had Lion and I have Mountain Lion. The store version of iMovie was 9.0.6 and mine 9.0.8
Can someone please help, my only pupose in getting the MBP is for the Firewire port for these old videos.
I am very confused what happened to change this in the last 6-8 months.
Sorry for the long winded post.
Much appreciated, thanks

Imovie and Sony harddrive camcorders

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