IPhoto compatible with Sony Handycam (with mini-DVD)?

I have a Sony Handycam and a MacBook Pro with iPhoto. The Handycam takes decent pictures and video, but it does not have a port for a memory stick. Also, the upload software that the Handycam came with... well... isn't so good. (I'm not sure if it's even Mac-compatible.)
Unfortunately, the Sony Handycam is not listed as one of the "cameras" that iPhoto comes with. (I put the word "cameras" in quotes because the Handycam is more a video camera than a still camera even though it takes still pictures.)
If anyone here knows of a workaround so that I can upload pictures from my Handycam to my MacBook Pro using iPhoto (or other appropriate software in the iLife suite), please let me know! I'm dying to have an excuse to not install the uploading software the Handycam came with.
Thanks in advance!

The Handycam's video format is one that in not OS X compatible. i don't know about the stills, however. I don't believe the mini-DVD disc that it create is Mac readable either. It's designed to go straight to DVD players and display the videos and stills on a TV set.
Do a search in the iPhoto 6 forum for "Sony Handycam" and you'll find previous topics on the subject. You might also try in the iDVD and iMovie forums.
Do you Twango?
TIP: For insurance against the iPhoto database corruption that many users have experienced I recommend making a backup copy of the Library6.iPhoto database file and keep it current. If problems crop up where iPhoto suddenly can't see any photos or thinks there are no photos in the library, replacing the working Library6.iPhoto file with the backup will often get the library back. By keeping it current I mean backup after each import and/or any serious editing or work on books, slideshows, calendars, cards, etc. That insures that if a problem pops up and you do need to replace the database file, you'll retain all those efforts. It doesn't take long to make the backup and it's good insurance.
I've written an Automator workflow application (requires Tiger), iPhoto dB File Backup, that will copy the selected Library6.iPhoto file from your iPhoto Library folder to the Pictures folder, replacing any previous version of it. You can download it at Toad's Cellar. Be sure to read the Read Me pdf file.

Similar Messages

  • Using footage from DVD disc shot with sony handycam

    I'm trying to import some footage that was shot with a sony handycam. The camera records directly onto a mini DVD disc. I put the disc in and copied the files onto my desktop. When I import the files into FCP, it recognizes the .vob files, but not the other ones.....so, all I have in FCP is the video, but no audio. Any ideas on how to get the audio into FCP? Trying to avoid playing the mini DVD disc on a player and recording the audio, then importing that and then trying to sync....but will resort to that if necessary.
    Thanks in advance.

    Get MPEG Streamclip (its free) from www.versiontracker.com. Use this to convert the files from your handycam to QuickTime videos using the DV codec.
    Be aware that there will be a loss in quality as you convert your MPEG-2 videos to an editable format. Its unavoidable, and the reason professionals do not use direct to DVD cameras.

  • IMovies 08 use with Sony Handycam DCR-DVD 109

    Does anyone know for 100% tried and tested, if you can just plug a Sony Handycam DCR-DVD-109 directly into an iMac using imovies 08 and import home movies directly so they can be edited. Many thanks

    I can't seem to figure out how to import video files from the tape.
    Since you say tape, I must assume you do not have a Sony DCR-DVD109. As Appleman indicates, "tape" camcorders use the FireWire interface/protocol for tapped video and USB for the Memory Stick "stills."
    I looked at iSquint but I guess I'm not sure how it will recognize the tape source any better than the Memory Stick source.
    iSquint was recommended specifically for the conversion of VOB ("muxed" MPEG-2) which have already been copied to your hard drive. It is not a dedicated "capture" application.

  • Problem Importing with Sony Handycam DCR HC30

    Here's the problem...I can't import my video footage to Imovie HD 06 via firewire. I have a HC30, and a HC32 and neither will import to my computer. They both used to import about a year ago, but won't anymore. My dad's camera (a HC21) will import with no problem, so I know it's not the cable or firewire port on the computer.
    What is going on here? I need help with this before i loose my mind!!!

    hi, did you get this resolved? I'm in what sounds like the same situation, which is desperate now. I am trying to import from a Sony Handycam - DCR-HC37 mini DV cam into my Macbook Pro with iMovie HD 06.
    I plugged it into a friend's new Macbook 2 weeks ago and it worked fine, but then last week when I tried it in his Macbook again it wouldn't work.
    It worked fine on my Macbook Pro with iMovie - about 8 months ago, but now it won't show up in iMovie, no matter how many times I disconnect it - reconnect it, restart camera, restart laptop. I have to show some footage at one of the most respect art institutions in England next week, and if I don't get this footage I've been collecting over the last 2 months off my Handycam I am going to be in deep trouble!!!
    I really hope that someone can make sense of this problem, I've seen lots of people posting similar problems, but I don't know if this has a resolve or not.

  • Using a Sony Handycam with a MacBook

    We have a Sony Handycam and I am unable to make it work with my MacBook. Are they compatible and how can I import the movies off the camcorder and work with them on my mac?

    im pretty sure you have to get a firewire cable to connect the sony to your macbook. unless of course you have a memory card reader. then you could just dump the memory card from inside the sony cam into the card reader and import.

  • IMovie 11 and quality loss with Sony Handycam DCR-SX33e

    Hi folks,
    I have a Sony Handycam DCR-SX33e (good one!) and iMovie '11 recognizes it, it's able to import movies directly from the cam, creates events, etc... BUT the quality of the movies within iMovie environment is very very poor (i.e. pixels big like a house!) BUT if I look at the movies using QT (from iMovie events, "reveal in Finder" on a movie), the quality is perfect.
    Still, if I make a project and finalize it, the exported movies are horribles.
    I notice that the cam works with a DV-PAL resolution (720x576), but iMovie works with wide resolutions.
    How can I work with iMovie without losing quality on my movies? Can QuickTime MPEG-2 Playback Component for Mac OS X help?
    Thank you!
    Bye

    Geriatra,
    Don't judge the imported footage in iMovie11 on the clip area and the monitor area. They are not a true representation of the finalized project. What's the best way to judge if the footage is imported properly is to look at the actual footage itself by clicking the clip and then select reveal in finder. Play the footage and see if it matches the original. If you do not want iMovie to optimize the footage, you can deselect this feature and it will simply either copy or move your original footage.
    Personally, I don't know if iMovie 6HD helps because your Mac still needs to read MPEG-2 properly which you said are not having any success. Over here on my Macbook, I have no problems working with MPEG-2 converted files and with iMovie 11. Quality is superb. Albeit, I converted those MPEG-2 files using my faster Quad Core Vista 64 machine and posted them later on my RAID network server before being made available for the Mac.
    Hope this helps.

  • Flash 8 Video Encoder Error with Sony Handycam movie

    Hi,
    I'm using Flash 8 Video Encoder to convert movies to .fla
    format to use them on websites. Now trying to do this with movies
    shot with my new Sony Handycam, Flash Video Encoder gives an error
    and doesn't convert the movie.
    Any idea what to do?
    Thanks, have a nice day.

    Ferrohead wrote:
    > Thanks for the reply.
    > I haven't tried this option yet, I've opened the Picture
    Motion Browser but I don't see how to convert it to mpeg2.
    >
    > Can you tell me how to do this?
    >
    > Thanks again.
    I have this option from right click menu - Convert to Mpeg 2
    and save.
    By the way, does your CD comes with Sony Vega program?
    This one is able to open Sony's raw file format and export to
    very nice
    quality mpeg that works superb in flash. I did lots of video
    using Vega,
    to adjust the sharpness, color contrasts and all, before
    start exporting and
    down sizing...
    Best Regards
    Urami
    "Never play Leap-Frog with a Unicorn."
    <urami>
    If you want to mail me - DO NOT LAUGH AT MY ADDRESS
    </urami>

  • Data retrieval for Sony handycam with 60G harddrive.

    Does BestBuy do data retrieval?  I have a handycam with work video on it that accidentaly got formated.  I know with a standard harddrive you can still retrieve it if there has not been recording since the formatting but I am not sure about camera harddrives.  If BestBuy does not do it, does anyone know where it can be done and approximate cost.  I live in the New Orleans area.  
    I may try the same question in computers if nobody knows.  Thanks in advance for any guidance at all. 

    Best Buy sends out for data retrieval. You can have it sent out through geek squad to get the estimate of cost.
    Crystal
    Superuser
    Forum Guidelines | Terms & Conditions | Community Guidelines | What is a Superuser?
    *Remember to mark your questions solved and click the star to give kudos to show your thanks!*
    While I used to be a Best Buy Employee, I no longer have any affiliation with Best Buy.
    My opinions do not in any way shape or form represent Best Buy's Official decisions.

  • Help with Sony Handycam & Macbook

    I am a new Mac user and desperately need some help in easy to understand language! I have a Sony Handycam DCR - DVD653E and want to know if there is any way to save the movies onto my Mac and if I am lucky do some editing?! Any help would be greatly appreciated.

    I too have a sony dcr-trv19e and want to connect via firewire / ilink.
    There are some forums which say this is possible, but I can't get my mac to see my sony.
    Any help would be greatly appreciated.
    I don't want to keep having to go back to my old windows computer to get the movies from my sony.
    Anyone please help

  • SOFTWARE FOR EDITING  WITH SONY HANDYCAM ON IMAC

    IM NEW WITH VIDEO EDITING. I WANT TO MAKE A VIDEO OF SOMEBODY SINGING BUT I WANT TO ADD THE SOUND LATER.DOES ANYBODY KNOW OF A SOFTWARE THAT CAN SYNC THE SOUND WITH THE IMAGE.THANK YOU IN ADVANCED

    Normally you'd sync the video to the sound.
    Normally you'd use iMovie, Final Cut Express, Final Cut Pro or Adobe Premier for editing.
    Normally you'd turn off the Caps Lock when typing.
    -DH

  • Can't Sync with Sony Clie with OS 10.4.6

    Hi,
    Has Apple dropped compatability with the Sony Clie (Palm)?
    All I get with my G5 2GHz DP is a notice that files (Palm) are locked when attempting to sync -- and the link disconnects when uploading files to the Sony Clie using Palm OS 4.2.1.
    However, I can upload the files on my 667 MHz PowerBook running OS 10.4.5.
    Cheers,
    John Kramar

    You need to get Missing Sync for Palm OS from MarkSpace.com. It'll let you sync your Clie with your Mac. I use it with my TJ37 and it works perfectly.

  • 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.

  • Tecra M5: DVD drive does not read these mini DVDs

    I have canon dvd handycam, and mini dvd works on it. One month back i recorded movie and pictures on mini dvd using handycam and ran mini dvd on my tecra M5 dvd drive, it worked very fine.
    Now after 1 month i have 5 mini dvds with movies and pictures which i took on 1 month vacation in diffierent countries, i tried my best but tecra dvd drive does not read these mini dvd, cd drive label appears instead dvd drive when i put mini dvd in it.
    All other standard size dvds, cds working fine on it.Its complicated and as well as irritating.
    Any suggestions?
    Why its messedup?

    Seems the lens cannot read this miniDVDs. Possibly the drive lens cannot calibrate and therefore the miniDVDs are nonreadable.
    Try the solution from sascha. Maybe youre a lucky man and it works.
    If not, try to remove the drive physically from the notebook. Reboot the notebook without the drive. The Windows and BIOS shouldnt recognize the drive.
    Then shuts down again, put the drive into the notebook and boot up the unit.
    The notebook should recognize the drive and should indicate the firmware again.
    Im not sure if this will help you but its attemptable

  • Sony Handycam DCR-SR46 + my MAC

    I just shot a short film on my new Sony Handycam DCR-SR46. When I connected the USB to my mac it didn't even show up. So I connected my Handycam to a PC then transfered to MPGs to my mac. Now the MPGs I transferred from my PC have no audio on them.
    I need help getting my film out of my Sony Handycam with the audio.
    Note: It plays with sound when on a PC. The sound only disappears when I play it on my mac.
    Thanks.

    I've searched for "mpegstreamclip" on versiontracker like you suggested and got the following:
    DVDxDV 1.36
    extract audio/video from DVDs to QuickTime, iPod & more 2.0M Shareware 2008-05-09 701
    DVDxDV Pro 1.087
    convert DVDs to QuickTime, iPod, Final Cut, iMovie, iDVD
    which is the right one to download?
    thanks again.

  • Sony Handycam .mpg convert

    Hello,
    I have a Sony Handycam with .mpg videos on it. Today I bought the Quicktime Pro so I can convert the fill over. How do I do that? ever time I click on the file, I receive an error message "The movie could not be opened". Please Help!!

    Today I bought the Quicktime Pro so I can convert the fill over. How do I do that?
    You can't. What you should have purchased was the QT MPEG-2 Playback component ($20). It, together with the free MPEG Streamclip application will convert the files and retain the audio. While QT Pro with the MPEG-2 component installed will open and convert the video portion of your multiplexed file, it cannot extract and sync frame level instances of audio with its video frame data instances.

Maybe you are looking for