Imovie and USB2 CANON DC20 camcorder??????

Hello,
I just purchased a Canon DC20 DVDcamcorder but imovie won't recognize the device? According to the directions, box, and included software the camcorder is compatible with iMovie. However, the camera only has a USB2 interface and according to other postings, imovie is not compatible with USB2 camcorders? I am very confused. How can Canon say the camera is compatible with imovie if the OS won't recognize a USB2 camcorder? Does anyone have experience with this issue? I am running tiger (10.4.2) If not, I am going to return the camera to best buy. Thanks for your help.
Brett Miller

Well, if your camcorder only has a USB port, you might try using Image Capture to download the MPEG movies. This works with my digital still camera that also shoots low-quality MPEG movies, so I would think that it would work with a camcorder too. Image Capture is an application that allows you to tell the Mac what to do when you connect a USB device to the computer. Personally, I tell it to use Image Capture to open all of the still images. The MPEG movies show up in the thumbnail chart with the QT logo, but you can easily tell Image Capture where to download the movie. Once you do that, simply use MPEG Streamclip (Free) which will convert this movie file into a DV video clip for iMovie.

Similar Messages

  • Can I open imovie and record canon hf20 file

    I just bought the canon hf20 digital camera and I want to make movies of me talking/logging with it. I want to use it the same way my isight webcam works. I want to open imovie and record, just as i would with my webcam, but with the digital camera. I have googled and researched for days and can't figure it out

    The HF20 produces .MTS file format, belongs to (AVCHD) high-definition files. iMoive supports well video files in .MOV, .MP4, DV, so try to change the HF20 video to one of those formats, and import into iMoive for editing. you may want to give a shot with this: 
    [Moderator note - link removed. Please see FORUM GUIDELINES]

  • IMovie and Importing from a camcorder

    I have a Canon Legria HV40 camcorder. I've many hours of documentary video footage recorded on MiniDV tape.
    I am having an issue with transferring the footage to the Apple computer.
    Frames are being lost when transferring footage. The frames that are lost are always (as far as I can tell) at the beginning and end of each clip. I'm not sure if clip is the right word here but I'm understanding a 'clip' to be created every time I start and stop recording on the camera.
    I tried iMovie '09 (Full, recording to a FireWire HDD) and for every clip iMovie systematically loses the first half second to full second of the beginning and end of each clip as recorded on the camera.
    I checked the playback on the camera and all of the information that should be there is there, and plays back on the LCD or on a TV without problem.
    I tried QuickTime to see if behaved better; it did. Less seconds and frames were lost, but still some frames were lost.
    I tried Final Cut Pro and the situation was better again. However still one or two frames at the beginning of some clips were lost.
    Is this all normal? What am I doing wrong? Please help me, I'm desperate and have about 20 hrs of tapes to go through!
    Thanks!!!

    This is normal behaviour with said softwares.

  • Using old version iMovie and import from new camcorder

    I got a new camcorder which won't let me import to the old version 4.0.1 Does anyone have any idea how to move the clips to the old version from the 7.1.4 version which is sooo infuriating. The old one was soooo simple to use as I don't need 90% of the NEWER features. I also miss being able to turn one frame into a photo.

    I got a new camcorder which won't let me import to the old version 4.0.1
    As an iLife '08 owner you are also entitled to a free download of iMovie HD v6.0.4 if you want it.
    Does anyone have any idea how to move the clips to the old version from the 7.1.4 version which is sooo infuriating.
    You can open the named_Event folder containing the iMovie '08 imported clips and "drag 'n drop" them to an open previous version of iMovie or you can open the previous version of iMovie, select the "Import" option, navigate to the named_Event folder, select the file(s) you want, and import it/them to the older application.
    I also miss being able to turn one frame into a photo.
    JPEG images are automatically created in the named_Project folder any time a single frame is selected/added to an iMovie '08 project. They can also be created by QT Pro ($30) or MPEG Streamclip (free) directly from a source video clip.

  • IMovie and .mpg from Sony Camcorder??

    Hi everyone! I am new to Mac... a recent Windows convert. I've had a Sony DCR-SR68 camcorder for awhile, and I would like to start using it with my iMac, but iMovie won't open the movies to allow me to edit. I believe they are .mpg movies. I also have some off of a digital camera that are .mts movies. What can I do? Can I get it to work, or do I need a new camcorder to make it easier? Thank you!
    Josh

    Right click any video clip, go to the bottom where services resides, go to encode video and chose your options. It works well, and converts .mpg files.
    Hugh

  • I have problems with my films that become slightly jerky after I have imported and edited them in iMovie and then burned them onto a DVD using iDVD. I can see the weak jerkiness when panning in both laterally and vertically. I shoot with a camcorder Canon

    I have problems with my films that become slightly jerky after I have imported
    and edited them in iMovie and then burned them onto a DVD using iDVD.
    I can see the weak jerkiness when panning in both laterally
    and vertically.
    I shoot with a camcorder Canon Vixia HF10. The camera has been set to deliver HD quality (1920x1080). But I have accidentally filmed with a frame rate of 60 (?).
    When I import the films in iMovie I have been asked if I want to change to frame rate 30 (instead of 25). I have chosen 30.
    Could it be the setting of a frame rate 60 in my camcorder that causes jerkiness when panning or what else?

    I have problems with my films that become slightly jerky after I have imported
    and edited them in iMovie and then burned them onto a DVD using iDVD.
    I can see the weak jerkiness when panning in both laterally
    and vertically.
    I shoot with a camcorder Canon Vixia HF10. The camera has been set to deliver HD quality (1920x1080). But I have accidentally filmed with a frame rate of 60 (?).
    When I import the films in iMovie I have been asked if I want to change to frame rate 30 (instead of 25). I have chosen 30.
    Could it be the setting of a frame rate 60 in my camcorder that causes jerkiness when panning or what else?

  • IMovie and Canon FS100 Camcorder - will they work together?

    Hi! A MacUser since 1989, and using a digital camera for stills and videos since 2004 - +but really have done next to nothing with a true "camcorder".+
    I'm considering a Canon FS100 camcorder which records onto SD and SDHC cards (but has no internal memory / storage).
    *But my concerns are this:*
    1. How to transfer from the SD cards to my Mac? (currently 10.4.11 but likely 10.5 in a month or so)
    2. If I purchase the camcorder in the USA it is apparently set for NTSC - i.e. I can only play back from the camera to an NTSC television - but I travel in the US, live in Europe (PAL) -- is there no "switch" to choose either the recording or the playback mode (like there is with my iPod Touch- for playback that is).
    3. What about "still photos" that I take with the FS100? Are they .jpg files? Can iPhoto handle them?
    4. Indeed what about iPhoto: Can it import all the videos and photos from an FS100??
    Again, this is all real "new new" to me; and I don't want to buy/carry 2 camcorders (an NTSC and a PAL!!!) --
    Any help or reference guides etc really appreciated. The big trip is not tomorrow, so I've got some time here.
    Thanks! Steve Schulte
    Saturday 2 August 2008 at 17:37

    Hi there Stephen,
    I feel so lucky that I stumbled into a great file management scheme with my Canon HF100 and I can also report that before that I tried an FS100 and the same procedure for a week before I got this camera. I picked up this method on a thread on MacRumours, I believe.
    Without the inconvenience of needing the AC power adapter plugged in to download files direct from the camera, simply use a USB card reader to read directly from the card. The card will mount as a device labeled "Canon" and inside that is a single directory labeled "Private". Inside that is the one you want, labeled "AVCHD". Create a disc image just a little larger than this file and drag the "AVCHD" file over to the disk image. Name the disk image to suit, such as place/date. Both iMovie 08 and FCE recognize the mounted image as a camera and import the footage just fine. Not quite PNP, but this procedure is so smooth that I'm almost surprised that this video n00b could get it going so well If you are in a hurry you can just drag the file to a folder named similar to what you will name the disk image to keep them sorted and do the disk images later on.
    I use 8 gig SDHC cards so that I can archive each full card's AVCHD file's disk image on a dual layer DVD. I leave the images on a hard drive as well, but won't be shy about deleting less precious ones and using the DVD's only for storage. The images will mount directly from the DVD and import easily too.
    This weekend I upgraded from 10.4.10 to 10.5.4, installed FCE, and was able to mount a disc image and import the files as easily as before.
    But of course, you need an Intel Mac do work with the AVCHD files....
    Hope this helps!
    Cheers!
    Glen

  • New iMac and iMovie don't recognize Panasonic camcorder

    I've had a Panasonic PV GS400 for a few years. I've flawlessly imported video into my old G4 tower. I recently purchased a new iMac. Because the Firewire cable that I had was for FW400, I had to buy a 4 pin to 9 pin Firewire 800 cable to connect the camcorder to the computer. But it is not recognizing the camcorder. I tested the firewire port on the Mac with other peripherals and it is working properly. And I'm still able to connect the camcorder to the G4 tower no problem, so the camcorder is working properly. I then figured it was a bad cable, so I bought a new one. Same deal. I even tried connecting the camcorder with the new cable to my MacBook Pro FW800 port. No go. But when I tried it on the MBP Firewire 400 port it worked fine.
    So my question is this, is anyone aware of an issue like this where a relatively new (2006) camcorder can't be recognized by FW800?
    I was finally able to import video onto the iMac by 1) connecting an external FW400 hard drive to the Mac's FW800 port with a 6 to 9 pin connector then 2) connecting the camcorder to the FW400 port on the external drive. It works, but is hardly elegant.
    Thanks for any thoughts on this.

    Hi
    +I was finally able to import video onto the iMac by 1) connecting an external FW400 hard drive to the Mac's FW800 port with a 6 to 9 pin connector then 2) connecting the camcorder to the FW400 port on the external drive. It works, but is hardly elegant.+
    That's the way I connected too.
    I like to have the HD on the speediest connector to get a smooth playback.
    Else read.
    Cable
    • Sure that You use the FireWire - USB will not work for miniDV tape Cameras
    FireWire - Sure not using the accompany USB-Cable but bought a 4-pin to 6-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
    • Toogle 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
    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 eg recording and playback to TV)
    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.
    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 minmum 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.
    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)
    Using WHAT versions ? .
    • Mac OS - X.5.4 ?
    • QuickTime version ? (This is the heart in both iMovie and FinalCut)
    • iMovie 8 (7.1.?) ?
    • 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 Exchange 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 helpfull 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 Choise / FireWire = Good
    If so it has to be Mac OS Extended formatted
    ----> UNIX/DOS/FAT32/Mac OS Exchange is NOT Working for VIDEO !
    Yours Bengt W

  • FireWire is the only way to import Canon HV20 Camcorder videos into iMovie?

    As a followup to my last post a moment ago tonight 1/30/08:
    Is it true that I need a FireWire cable to import Canon HV20 Camcorder videos into iMovie?
    If so, the Apple salesperson is wrong.
    He told me last Monday that purchasing the new iLife 2008 (that contains iMovie 2008) would allow me to use my current USB cable.
    Given I see NO FireWire port on my new MacBook Pro (bought in 8/2006), I don't see a solution.
    Note the camera, an HD camcorder (the Canon HV20) did NOT come with a FireWire cable; it only came with a USB male plug on one side of the cable and the other is a small square-like male plug that connects to a female port on the Canon HV20.
    Solution?
    Thanks for any suggestions, Daniel

    The USB cable is for importing still photographs. Not video.
    The firewire 400 cable you need is one that goes from the 6 pin full size male connector to the small 4 pin form used for DV.
    The cable plugs into the camera in a socket behind a plastic flap near the eyepiece. Its marked HDV/DV. The other end plugs into the MBP on the right-hand side. 4th from the back.

  • Use Camcorder for iMovie and iChat?

    Hi,
    I want to find a way to be able to plug a video camera into my iBook to use with iMovie and iChat.
    I'm having a difficult finding a definitive solution in finding a webcam to use with my iBook.
    Does anyone know if a firewire camcorder will work with iMovie and iChat? (iBook, 500mhz, 384mb RAM, running Panther.
    Thanks very much,
    Ted

    Hi Ted,
    In addition to Tom's good comments, here are a couple of other things that may be of interest.
    I would suggest you select a Mini-DV camcorder that claims Mac compatibility with Panther (OS X 10.3.9). Some other camcorders may not work easily with at least one of the two apps you specify. For instance, if you decide to get a Canon Mini-DV, see this Apple article concerning a possible FireWire Issue With Some Canon Mini-DV Cameras.
    If your 500mhz iBook has a G3 processor, its processor power falls below Apple's minimum iChat AV: System requirements (for iChat 2.1 video). (Mac OS X 10.4: iChat AV system 3.x requirements are different.)
    iChatUSBCam can allow slower G3s to work with iChat AV, although you may experience less than smooth video performance. iChatUSBCam is try-before-you-buy software, so you can determine whether it meets your needs before you pay for it. See the web site for FAQs, an explanation of all of iChatUSBCam's features, and camera compatibility if you need iChatUSBCam.
    Jim
      Mac OS X (10.4.7)    G5 DP 1.8

  • Canon ZR40 camcorder and a Macbook with the latest OS.

    I have a Canon ZR40 and a Macbook with the latest OS.  My iMovie does not recognize the camcorder.  Can someone please give me step by step directions on what I should be doing?

    1. Turn on the camcorder and set it to VTR or VCR mode (this mode may have a different name on your
    camera).
    2. Connect the camcorder to your computer using a FireWire cable (the one that came with your
    camcorder or any other FireWire cable).
    3. If this is the first time you’re importing from a device that records high-definition (HD) video, an HD
    Import Setting dialog appears. Even if you aren’t importing HD video now, select Large or Full, and then
    click OK.
    You can change this preference later if you do import HD video.
    4. If the Import window doesn’t open, choose File > “Import from Camera.”
    5. If you have multiple devices connected to your computer, choose the device you want to import from the
    Camera pop-up menu.
    6. Set the switch on the lower-left side of the window to one of the following:
    Automatic: Automatically rewinds the tape, imports all of the tape contents, and rewinds the tape
    again.
    Manual: Lets you rewind and fast-forward the tape so that you can import only the footage you want.
    Use the controls to set your tape to the point where you want to begin importing.
    7. Click Import.
    If you still can’t import video after checking the items above, try the following:
    If iMovie doesn’t recognize your camcorder
    Turn the camcorder off and on again.
    Disconnect the cable from both the camcorder and the computer, and then reconnect it.
    Quit and then reopen iMovie.
    Restart your computer.
    Try using a different cable.
    Try using a different computer with iMovie installed.

  • Imovie and mini DVD camcorder

    My students made a movie on a DV camcorder when the camera quit working. I was able to import the partial video into Imovie, but we finished the movie on my Canon mini DVD camcorder. Is there any way to somehow get the second half of the movie (on two mini dvds) into Imovie so I can edit it all together? At this point, I burned the portion in Imovie and am trying to figure out how to combine them all on my pc. However, I really love Imovie and would like to use it. Any suggestions would be great.
    Thanks

    I have an external hard drive. So, I guess I could just save my imovie files in the portable hard drive and then move them to my pc or vice versa? However, aren't the formats different? When I tried to use Quick Time Pro, it didn't recognize the formats (Video_TS.BUP and Video_TS.VOB)
    Could I move those files into my mac using my external hard drive and then import into imovie? I should say I'm a very new Mac user, and not very experienced with editing - have only begun.
    Thanks for all your help

  • IMovie and Importing video AVCHD from the Canon High-Definition HG10

    iMovie 08 does not let me import high definition video (AVCHD) from the Canon HG10 camcorder. Could you let me know how I can do this or what program can do it? iMovie 08 and the Mac do not recognize the high definition video (AVCHD). Thanks for your assistance. Best, Joe

    Your camera is on the supported list, and if you will search these forums, you will see that many people are using it.
    iMovie recognizes AVCHD, but only from a supported and connected camcorder.
    If you prefer not to import from your camcorder, you can buy a program called Voltaic. It takes about 12x realtime to convert AVCHD to an editable format. You can import directly from your camera much quicker.

  • Just bought a new Canon Vixia HF R300.  It looks like I have basically two recording modes--either AVCHD or MP4.  I have a year old Mac Mini on Lion with increased ram.  I edit on iMovie and upload to You Tube.  Which recording mode would be best?

    Hi...
    I just bought a Canon Vixia HF R300 camcorder.  It looks like it gives me a choice of two recording modes AVCHD or MP4.  I will be uploading onto a year old Mac Mini with the Lion Operating system and increased ram.   I will be editing in iMovie '11 then uploading to You Tube.  Which recording mode should I use?  Obviously I'd like to get the best quality but I also want it to show well on You Tube.   What do you think?  Thanks for the help.  Bill

    Hi
    What program can you use to convert AVCHD to a DVD format?
    Share to File (in iMovie) - AND AS 480p - NOT Higher as DownScaling will be done badly.
    Use this file in iDVD or Roxio Toast™ or what DVD Authoring program You've got.
    To make a VIDEO-DVD You must use a DVD Authoring program - to get the right compression format AND Structure - It is a MUST.
    There are free alternatives - but resulting DVD hasve been far from what quality iDVD (and Toast™) will deliver.
    To get best possibly DVD - also this counts.
    - DVD brand used - I only Verbatim
    - DVD type used - I only DVD-R Single layer (4.7Gb)
    (DVD+R works for many and DVD-R/W usually don't work OK and Double Layer also are a problem to it self)
    - BURN SPEED - I set this as low possibly (usually x2)
    - Free Space on Start-Up Hard Disk - MATTERS - I never go less than 25Gb
    Good Luck
    Yours Bengt W

  • Canon Vixia camcorder and Imovie09 anyone have any issues?

    Hi I have a 2009 2.66 ghz Quad Core Mac Pro. I plan on purchasing a high definition camcorder, I was very interested in the Canon Vixia series but was concerned because I read that people had issues with their canon Vixia camcorder and Imovie. Should I be concerned? Anyone have any issues with the Canon VIXIA HFS100, HF200, or the HF20 and Imovie09 on their 2009 intel Mac Pro? I don't want to spend 750-900 dollars on a camcorder if I'm going to have issues importing the videos into my mac. Any info is greatly appreciated

    Sheryl Kingstone wrote:
    Other issues were around the 1080p is not really 1080p. meaning it says it records 30p, but it imports it at 60i. Don't really understand why.
    Today I tried 30p on my Canon HF-S100 for the first time. If I understand correctly it's still saving the video in 60i format -- e.g. all of the odd scan lines in one field, then all of the even scan lines in the next field. The visible difference is that you don't see the interleaving when you view the results in iMovie or Final Cut Pro.
    With 30p it's as if the camera captures an entire frame at once, then saves it as two interleaved 60i fields. By contrast, when the camera is recording 60i it captures one field (every other scan line) and records that, then captures and records the other field separately.
    In other words, in 60i mode, the subject may move between the recording of the first field and the recording of the 2nd field, resulting in interleave "jaggies". In 30p mode the subject doesn't move between the recording of the fields, since both were captured at the same time.
    I wish I could insert some pictures to better explain myself

Maybe you are looking for