Recommend iMovie-compatible HDD camcorder in $400-$800 range???

With apologies if this question has been asked before, I recently bought a Sony DCR-SR42 camcorder with HDD because I typically record for several hours at a time, making tape, MiniDVD and MiniDV inadvisable for my purposes. I'm about ready to tear my hair out trying to view the file: I was able to use VirtualPC to download the video to my hard drive via USB, but still can't view the video.
Would be happy to get this system working, buy a different HDD camcorder, upgrade to Leopard... but would appreciate it if anyone could offer recommendations. Is there an HDD camcorder that works well with iMovie? Does Leopard handle HDD camcorders better than Tiger? Should I just give up and buy a low-end PC for this purpose?
Thanks for your help!

I just got a canon HG-10, works well, image is good, and although announced as $1000+, I found it for only 750 bucks @
butterflyphoto.com/1/HG10/HG1040GB_Hard_DriveCamcorder
Just in case, I have no interest or connection with that company. I also just have a few days with the device. I am not sure why so cheap, but there are other places that is also cheaper that the 1k announced in the apple website and cannon website.

Similar Messages

Can anyone recommend a compatible DV camcorder for use with iMovie3?

This will be my 1st camcorder and only need to know if certain brands will/won't work with iMovie3 for simple family use. Any help will be much apprieciated! i'm on an Emac G4. thanks!

Welcome to the discussions.
iMovie 3 is the buggiest version ever. See it you can get hold of iLife '04. iLife '04 contains iMovie 4 and iDVD 4. iMovie 4 is much more stable than iMovie 3. iDVD 4 has better picture quality than iDVD 3.
For both iMovie 3 and 4, you must have a "DV" camera that uses mini-DV tapes. None of them comes with a Firewire cable, so you must purchase one separately. Firewire is also called i.Link, IEEE1394 or DV.
You can buy any currently selling DV camera as they will all work.
If you are looking on the "used" market, avoid Samsung.
Finally, don't ever empty iMovie's trash in iMove 1-4. You may lose your project.
Good luck.

Dreaded HDD Camcorder (Sony) and iMovie

I've read around the subject here and there is a great deal of discussion. I really need a work-around though. I have stupidly bought a Sony HDD Camcorder and ALL I WANT TO DO is produce a DVD so that the family can see it on the TV - that's all - no editing, no funny business - straight from camcorder to DVD!
I have iMovie 06 and 04 at my disposal - the sony produces MPEG 2s I think.
Any suggestions - I am happy to look at other software too.
Many thanks,
AT

Firstly, there is a noticeably pause between clips of the video which spoils the viewing process
So the camcorder gives you several files, right? You can use apps like MPEG Streamclip to join several MPEG clips together.
http://www.sjoki.uta.fi/~shmhav/SVCDon_a_Macintosh.html#edit_convertMPEG
But remember that MPEG is not designed to be edited so the seams may not always be perfect!
As yet, I have not translated to .dv format
You can use Toast or MPEG Streamclip for that. But that degrades quality so I'd avoid that, unless the content needs major editing.
the quality is not so good
Did you set Toast NOT to re-encode the material? Then there should be no quality degradation whatsoever!!
Is the material compatible with the video-DVD spec (48kHz audio, <10036 kb/s =9.8 Mb/s, usually MPEG2 and PAL/NTSC 720x576/480 although also MPEG1 and other resolutions are allowed):
http://www.dvddemystified.com/dvdfaq.html#3.4

Choppy video in iMovie/iDVD from Sony HDD Camcorder

I feel like I must be doing something wrong here, I've just moved from a windows XP machine to a nive shiny iMac which is lovely and I just want to hug it a lot, but.....
My DVD's just aren't coming out right, here's me thinking Macs were renowned for their video editing, but all my stuff is looking better from windows.
To explain further, I connect my Sony DCR-SR32 to the mac via USB (the Sony is a hard disk camera which records to mpeg2) iMovie recognises the camcorder and allows me to import all my clips. I spend hours putting together some holiday footage with appropriate fades, titles and cuts. I then import the finished project into iDVD and spend more hours messing with the motion video menus and getting everything looking right.
I then burn to a DVD and it looks horrible, the frame rate looks like it's about 10 fps and it's jumping around all over. After some research, I find that Perion is probably to blame, and I can work around it by exporting from iMovie as a DV file or removing Perion which I've creating a DVD.
So the output is better, not so jerky, but something is not quite right, while it's not jerky its not quite as smooth as if should be, and the colours seem to be a little more pixelated a bit like when a divX movie struggles in an area of low contrast.
I'm comparing this to running XP in a parallels session, attaching the camcorder and hitting the "Disc burn" button which burns a lovely smooth and colourful DVD without a problem.
I thought this must be an issue with the conversion, convert to h.264 when the file is pulled off the camcorder, and then again into mpeg to burn must be missing something, but I took the raw mpeg files and got Toast to burn a DVD and that was the same "not quite right" result. I've read a lot about OSX's difficulties with mpeg2 and suggestions to use Streamclip with the MPEG quicktime plugin - will this do anything better, it just seems that with any conversion you're going to lose some quality, and converting several times to get something into iMovie then again when iDVD prepares the disk seems to be asking for more trouble ?
I've double checked all the obvious things, like is it set to PAL, and is the DVD burning at the best quality. I'm even burning to disk images to take the physical DVD out of the equation.
But still the results are not satisfactory. I really don't want to have to run windows still, iMovie and iDVD - although fairly basic were really nice to use, and the overall result is great... if I could just get it to look right.
Any idea on what might be wrong in all this, or how I can get a better quality movie to burn ?

Ok, this time I tested it in playback mode.
Connected USB. Chose HDD connect. NO NAME appeared on desktop. Opened iMovie (started my stopwatch at this point). Detected camera - scanning. Generating thumbnails (at this stage it is generating thumbnails for all the clips I have on my camera. For the record, I have 6 clips of 52secs, 22secs, 40secs, 27secs, 29secs and 1min). Finally, after around 1m50s, the 'Import From' window pops up showing me the thumbnails for each clip. I stop the stopwatch.
I only want to import the 1min clip this time, just for timing reference. To import this 1min clip on my imac (see my mac profile below) took 2m30s. This includes generating the thumbnails too, although I'm not quite sure why it does this again. I think 2m30s is very slow considering that DV would/should import in real time.
Anyway, those are my findings today and I for one now have a better understanding of how to connect my camera...playback mode only!
Thanks.
Lee

Important for users of JVC HDD Camcorder and iMovie HD

I've been having problems using iMovie HD to open my JVC HDD camcorder's videos. Some of you have been very kind in pointing me in a few directions. I thought I'd try and return the favor:
I downloaded MPEG Streamclip and the MPEG-2 Playback Component (both of which can be found easily using google), and used Streamclip to export my video files as .dv files - now I'm using iMovie to attend to my videos with no problems (knock on wood). Thanks everyone for your help! Any questions, just ask!
Rob

Rob and Demelza wrote:
.. Any ideas why it would ask for that plug-in ..?
'cause, for sure the JVC HDDcorders record in mpeg2..
in the beginning, mp2 was meant for disk delievry only, but the HDDcorder manufacturers found it as their codec, to compress the hugh sized streams on that 'tiny' harddrives, 'cause there're chips avail, which do the en- and decoding in realtime..

My JVC HDD camcorder works with iDVD and iMovie

HOOOORAAAYYY,
With the help of people on this discussion list,
I have able to convert my movies from MPG2, which is the format of my JVR HDD camcorder to DV which is used by iMovie and iDVD.
It was pretty easy, basically one needs to get Quicktime MPG2 from Apple, either at a store or download it from
http://www.apple.com/quicktime/mpeg2/update/
for about $20.00
then the conversion program at
http://www.squared5.com/svideo/mpeg-streamclip-mac.html
is free
the whole thing works like a charm!
thanks sooooo much for all the help.
Jill, Sherwood, Oregon

Thanks for your comments....I really appreciate it! I understand that the Mini DV is the best option for someone whose priority is high quality video, but I also understand that importing the video from a tape is a 'real time' process..... requiring an hour of time for every hour of video. Or, have I been misinformed?
For someone who would like a camera that is simple to use, I can't help but think that the HDD camera is the best option. And, once the mpeg-2 files are converted to a format that iMovie can understand, is there any reason the video can't be edited? Please explain, if this is the case.
Happy New Year!
Todd
iMac 20" dual core2 Mac OS X (10.4.8)

I have a sony hdd camcorder, how can i get the videos from it to my macpro?

I have a sony hdd camcorder, how can I get the viedos from the camcorder to the macpro?

If you have iMovie it can import video from most camcorders, but not all.   It comes with every Mac Pro.    If you need to restore it from the original installer discs, these are the directions:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2604
Typically iMovie can import if you connect via IEEE 1394 or USB.   IEEE 1394 comes in three flavors:
4 pin (typical for many camcorders), 6 pin (known as bus powered Firewire 400), 9 pin (known as Firewire 800 or 1394b).   Cables exist to connect each type of Firewire to each other. Locate your Camcorder directions on Sony's website to determine what pinout exists if you don't have the manual.
Double check on Sony's website there isn't a firmware update for compatibility with your operating system.
Push comes to shove, you may have to install Windows on your Mac to connect the Camcorder.

24" aluminium imac and JVC HDD camcorder ??

Hey guys
Some help please. I have just switched to mac from PC and am having trouble opening certain files in the mac.
I have a JVC Everio MG-330 HDD camcorder and the file format is .MOD
I had the same problem opening these files in windows on my old PC and after a bit of research found out all I had to do was change the file extension to .mpg
Now I have tried opening both fiel types in the mac , .MOD and .MPG and I am getting a message saying " cannot open, this is not a movie file. "
I havent imported any of these files into imovie , this is just simply trying to open them from the videos home folder. They just wont open at all.
Can someone offer a solution or tell me what I need to do.
Thanks.

Hey!
Have a read of this....
Review
In particular this paragraph......
"UPDATE: Well, after my review of the Everio on the 14th of March I have received a couple of e-mail from interested parties informing me that the comments I made about the .MOD file format not being useable on a Mac, was not totally correct.
The .MOD file is really a ‘MPEG2' and if you have the latest plug-in's on your Mac version of Quicktime you should be able to play these. You can also go to the link below and download the ‘MPEG Streamclip' software, from an Apple recommended website, this OSX application converts the MPEG1 & 2 files to a Quicktime format or DV stream.
http://www.alfanet.it/squared5/mpegstreamclip.html
The original MPEG2 files can apparently be edited in either Apple's Final cut software and Adobe AFX and Premiere but once the files are converted they can be worked on in ‘iMovie', although there is a danger of a loss of sound in the conversion process.
Then have a look here....
QuickTime MPEG-2 Playback - Mac OS X
Might be of some help!
Cheers,
John

HDD Camcorder

I know that there have been varying forms of this question, but as I look through them none have answered with any amount of certainty.
I am looking for a HDD Camcorder that will be compatible with Final Cut Pro 5.1.2, any suggestions?
I want to spend between $500.00 and $800.00. HD supprt is not important. True 16:9 is very important.
Some that I have looked at are:
Panasonic PV-GS300
Sony DCR-SR82
If HDD is not an option what MiniDV cameras are there.
I know it is a freshman question for many of you professionals, but I want to use FCP to its utmost… But I’m restricted my a budget.
Mac Pro Mac OS X (10.4.8) 3Mhz 2gigs of RAM. 4 500gig hard drives.
MacPro Mac OS X (10.4.8)

I’m under the assumption that MPEG is an editable format in FCP<<</div>
Well ... not exactly. It all depends on the type of MPEG you're talking about. There's more than one type of MPEG-2; HDV is a special type of MPEG-2 and can be edited natively in FCP, but in general, the MPEG-2 format was intended to be a delivery format - not for editing. Since MPEG-2 consists of a GOP structure instead of normal frame, you'll need to use a program like MPEG Streamclip to convert it into an editable format prior to importing in into FCP.
-DH

Is imovie compatible with canon vixia M50?

Is imovie compatible with canon vixia M50? I have the latest version OSX 10.8.2

I cannot find it on this list:
http://help.apple.com/imovie/cameras/en/index.html
That does not mean it will not work, but if you haven't purchased the camcorder yet then I recommend limiting your search to those known to be compatible. Better yet, limit your search to manufacturers that specifically indicate iMovie compatibility.
Panasonic does; I am not certain about Canon.

Movies from HDD camcorder not recognized

So I have just bought a mac, my first, after many friends telling me how much better it would be for video editing/photos/multimedia in general. I have a Panasonic SDR-H200 HDD camcorder, which is listed as 'tested' on the iMovie information page, and supposedly is compatible. It uses MPEG2 compression.
I have a folder full of files from the camera, they all worked fine on my PC with multiple video players. None of the files will play on the mac, at all. iMovie just ignores them, quicktime says it's not supported.
So I looked around on the web, and came across the Quicktime MPEG2 plugin, I downloaded this ($20), now I can watch the video in quicktime, but no audio. iMovie still ignores the files.
What gives? These files played fine in Windows Media Player/Movie Maker and my old Roxio video editing software. So I know it's a software issue. Can a mac handle MPEG2 video? Otherwise I just wasted some serious cash.

iMovie does not edit MPEG2 natively. However, iMovie will import directly from a supported camera. During the import, the footage will be converted from MPEG2 to Apple Intermediate Codec.
If you hook up your camera, it should import just fine.
For existing footage that you have stored on your hard drive, there are a couple of options.
1) The MPEG Streamclip option. With MPEG Streamclip (free) (and the MPEG2 Playback component which you already have) you can convert the MPEG2 to a iMovie compatible format like DV or AIC or h.264.
2) You might be able to "fake out" iMovie into thinking that your hard drive footage is really on a camera. To do this, you will need to create a disk image of your camera, and move the footage back to the disk image. Alternatively, you could drag the footage back to your camera and import from there. Perhaps someone who has your camera can give detailed instructions for this. The disk image must have the identical file structure that your camera does. (This is how imovie knows it is a camera.)
Disk images can be created by Disk Utility, which comes with your Mac. It is found in the Applications/Utilities folder, and is also handy if you ever need to format a drive.

Sony or Cannon HDD Camcorder?

I am in the market for a HDD Camcorder. I've narrowed it down to the Sony HDR-SR11 or the Cannon HF10. Which is more compatible and user friendly with the Mac? I have a 2 month old MacBook Pro, Version 10.5.5. I want an HD camera that I can literally USB plug into the Mac and export videos. Can these ACHVD cameras work this easily for me (the novice)?

From experience, Mac's support of AVCHD is less than optimal. I had a Sony 60GB HD Camcorder that we tried to import and were not able to. Tried iMove 08, 06, Final Cut Xpress 4.0 to no avail. I finally had to create an dmg image and drag the entire AVCHD folder from the Camcorder HD over to it. And then iMovie 08 was able to recognize the mounted volume from which I imported the videos.
My vote is for tape. HDD you have to store the bits somewhere unless you don't mind ditching the bits once post production is done. And of course, you can tarry to long in editing because HDD space is precious. Frankly storage on digital tape is the most versatile. I tape a wedding, throw the tape into a box. Two years later I come back to finish the editing. No worries about losing bits. What's more, it takes longer to import video from HDD AVCHD than from miniDV HD!! Go figure. Totally backwards. In my humble but accurate opinion, anything but tape is a huge mistake - notwithstanding the shortcomings of the tape such as length. That's about all I can think of.

JVC HDD Camcorder

My dad just bought me a JVC Everio GZ-MG155 HDD Camcorder yesterday for a late Christmas gift. He bought it from Best Buy, and the sales guy there said this camera would be compatible with a MAC. I plugged the camera up into my Windows PC and Windows Media Player cannot playback the files because of some error.
I went ahead and plugged it up to my Macbook and nothing happens. It appears that my Macbook isn't detecting the camera at all. How do I get it to detect the camcorder?
I'm connecting the camcorder via USB, I didn't see a firewire cable in the package.
Message was edited by: vasenior87

I have not tried it on my Windows platform as of yet, but I also have been having problems loading it onto the MacBook Pro, Mac OS X Version 10.5.1, Leopard.
After reading the JVC manual, I discovered that this camcorder DOES work with MAC, but only the MAC OS X Versions 10.3.1 to v10.3.9, v10.4.2 to v10.4.8.... So, I made a bad buyer's mistake and didn't check out the Versions of Mac that the camcorder could adapt to. I have seen other bulletins, though, where others have been able to operate their GZ-MG155 camcorders WITH the version 10.5.1.
Be sure that when you are trying to access the files on the hard drive in the camcorder that you have the camcorder on the platform that comes with it. The platform should be plugged into the wall and should be feeding the camcorder power. Plug the USB connector directly into the laptop- not into an extension USB port, and the other end into the PLATFORM- not into the camcorder itself. Once it is connected in this way, you should turn the power switch to ON on the camcorder and flip open the screen. Once you see the Everio logo on the screen it should bring you to the option of "connect to PC". Choose this option. The Everio hard drive will appear on your desk top.
From here, you open imovie '08. The JVC website has a search box in the upper right hand corner. If you type in the camcorder model a list of applicable articles, FAQs, etc will appear. In this list (search 'site') will appear a link to a tutorial to using the GZ-MG155 with Mac OS X.
I will research that link and post it when I find it again.
Remember this one very important fact: If you have more than 50 movie files or if the total data size exceeds 4300 MB, then your imovie '08 may end up crashing. I don't know if you will end up losing the movies along with it- so be careful with this!
Again, I have yet to get mine to work, but I don't have my platform with me, so I can't try it just yet.
Good luck with this and I hope I've helped!!
I'll reply with that link when I find it again.

Importing video from Sony 120GB HDD Camcorder

Looking for help on importing video from Sony 120GB HDD Camcorder.
I recently purchased a new imac (1st mac) and imported the stored video on my Sony 120GB HDD camcorder. I would estimate that this is approximately 60-80 GB worth of video on the camcorder but when I imported this has become over 800GB on my imac and basically fills the HD.
My question is - is this normal or am I doing something wrong.
Cheers

Unfortunately the video from the current crop of High Def capable cameras use a really highly compressed file format to save video. The one most used is called AVCHD and it can really save a lot of space ON THE CAMERA if you like to shoot at the highest resolution. However to edit that video, it needs to be decompressed so that iMovie can preview it, and edit it accurately down to the individual video frame level (1/30th of a second). So the short answer is you're not doing anything wrong, those video clips can expand up to 40-75GBytes per hour of video after they are imported into the iMovie Events folders. However it is entirely possible to store the iMovie Events folders on an additional external hard drive. And that's usuallly the best solution for anyone quickly running out of space.

Audio Interfaces for Classical Music, Firewire 400/800?

In the near future I will be getting a new MacBook or MacBook Pro, and I am looking to record classical music (brass, solo and ensemble, chamber groups, etc). Is getting the Firewire 800 port necessary or recommended for hooking up to a good audio interface? I am a bit confused as to how the bus power works and whether it has to be a 400/800 port.
I am looking at a MOTU Traveler and a Fireface 800. Any other suggestions?

I have read and experienced lots of driver issues with the MOTU stuff lately as well as many of others.
I currently own both a M-Audio Firewire 410 and 1814 both are fantasic interfaces. Both are firewire 400 and bus powered.
I personally don't see a need for a interface at 800...I have had no problems with my interfaces at 400

Recommend iMovie-compatible HDD camcorder in $400-$800 range???

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