Sony DVD camcorder series to miniDV camcorder to iMovie?

I have read many posts about the inability to import these into iMovie. I have a friend who bought one and wants to know if I can put his video on the web. Is it possible to run the AV outputs from his camcorder into the AV inouts of my miniDV camcorder, and then use the Firewire out to iMovie? i do this with old VHS tapes, and the miniDV camcorder acts as an A/D converter.
Thanks,
Ken

I have a Sony minidv camcorder DCR-TRV20, and although I have never done it, it has the ability to accept input from a Sony Hi-8 camcorder and pass it on to Imovie. If I recall corectly, this step is necessary to translate the Hi-8 analog signal to digital.
should that fail, you could purchase a Canopus ADVC-100 and use it to upload vcr videos,hi-8 videos, and minidv videos into Imovie. This is what is use and it works just fine. My unit cost me about $120 three years ago. I do not know whether or not there are new models.

Similar Messages

Sony DVD Camcorder to iMac

I've been trying to figure out a way to import video from my Sony DVD camcorder. I've searched these forums and so far much of the advice is not to buy Sony DVD camcorders. While I understand the good intentions of this advice, I like all the other advantages which the Sony DVD camcorders offer.
That being said, I have two questions which will help me decide whether I really should return the Sony DCR-DVD 205 and/or use a Sony DCR-DVD 305 instead:
1) Some others have suggested exporting the A/V out from the DVD camcorder and feeding it into the analog port of a DV camcorder. I happen to have a DV camcorder (broken lens but fine for this purpose) which can record the analog input onto a DV tape. This allows me to use the firewire out from the DV camcorder to the iMac just fine. I have tried this technique and while it is a hassle it appears to work well. Here's my question: Am I losing a significant amount of quality or resolution by converting DVD to analog to DV to iMac? The picture quality seems OK so far but I'm wondering if I am missing something.
2) So my next question is thiis: Is it worth getting the 305 model instead? Unlike the 205, the 305 has a USB 2.0 port. But from everything I have seen, USB 2.0 ports are far from ideal when it comes to transferring digital quality video.
Thanks in advance. I am going a bit crazy trying to figure out what to do about this.
iMac g5

welcome TeamIguana to the  board ...
you've done your research on this board about DVDcorders, so you do know, the iApps don't support such devices ... you miss the convenience of simply plug-in/hit import/done... and some others...
you have two options:
convert from dvd (please use the forum search for that popular issue), or, as you wrote, a playback-analoge-digital conversion...
the loss in pic quality happens while playback a dvd...- you record in a codec called mpeg2, which is a very, very effective compressor...- a standard iM project of 2h=~26GB gets compressed with mpeg2 to fit onto a 4.7Gb single-layer dvd-r...
to be so effective, mpeg uses different "tricks", e.g. it doesn't store every frame of the 30fps a video contains... dv (as on miniDV, or iM's native internal codec) does so... as you probably know: mpeg2 is a delivery format, no edit format...
so answer to 1): due to mpeg standards, you have a loss of pic quality. any miniDV would be ... better.- but it has to fullfill your tastes and standards, if it is ok to you.. just do it
ad 2) iMovie doesn't support the import via usb2.- when you're lucky, you get some Sony-made app with that device which allows to remotely control the corder via usb2 to force it to playback/stream the video to the Mac.. HardDrivecorders behave like some ordinary harddrive, easy to drag'n drop file from them to the Mac.. but a DVDcorder? even, when you hit manually "play"... how should your Mac know what to do with that stream of data coming via usb??
you guess it allready; I'm not convinced by DVDcorders
so, just to feed my personal curiosity:
I like all the other advantages which the Sony DVD camcorders offer.
... which one?

HT2498 I connected a Sony miniDV camcorder ....

I connected a Sony miniDV camcorder on firewire port of a iMac late 2009 and Mavericks 10.9.2. Result: the iMac don't see the camera (I tested it whit iMovie 9 and 10).
The same connection whit Snow Leopard works fine. Why ??

Hi
May be You find help in my old list ?
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

Importing from sony miniDV camcorder

I have a new MacBook which does not have a firewire port. My miniDV camcorder (sony DCR-HC48) has a dock that supports both firewire and USB. However iMovie does not recognize my camcorder through the USB connection. Do I have to connect it using firewire? What are my options?

Your options are to return your Mac Book and get one that has a Firewire Port, like the White MacBook, or the MacBook Pro.
Apple accepts returns in the first 14 days no questions asked. After that, they normally don't but it would not hurt to ask.
Other than that, do you have a friend's Mac you could borrow?

HELP!!!! Sony DVD camcorder, i need to edit the video on iMovie

hi, im using my friends Sony DVD camcorder for a project and i need to somehow edit the video on my mac using iMovie, but the video files arent opening with quicktime or iMovie. the tag on the icon is .VOB
can anyone help me figure this out??

im using my friends Sony DVD camcorder for a project and i need to somehow edit the video on my mac using iMovie, but the video files arent opening with quicktime or iMovie. the tag on the icon is .VOB
VOB files are "muxed" MPEG and as such are not compatible with QT. Even if you have the QT MPEG-2 Playback component ($20) installed, QT is not "natively" compatible with AC3 audio. Basically you have to options:
1) Get iMovie '08 to do a "Camera Import" which will convert the AC3 audio to Linear PCM and stor it in an MOV file container and then modify the MPWG-2 content effectively turning it into a Motion-JPEG and merge the modified video to the same MOV file container with start and/or end offsets to minimize drifet between the two.
2) The other option is t copy the non-zero VOB title sets to your hard drive and then use an MPEG-based, third party converter like iSquint (free), MPEG Streamclip (free) with the QT MPEG-2 Playback component ($20), FFmpegX (donation-ware), Visual Hub (pay-ware), etc. to converte the VOB files to an "edit" compatible iMovie '08 (or eariier version) compression format.

Sony MiniDv camcorder / New macbook Alum compatibility

Hi all,
I've read some posts about the subject and realized it will be tough to import high quality video from my minidv camera to the new macbook.
However I wonder if someone could advise any external device that would allow me to import full quality video.
My camcorder is a Sony dcr-hc19e with Usb out, DV out and A/V out ports.
My macbook alum, as you all are aware, just has Usb ports..
I would import using Final Cut Pro 6.
Thanks,
Adrian Garcia

Any device that can output video to a Mac via USB should be able to do it at full quality. The type of interface doesn't affect the quality of data transfer, on the speed. So only when you're doing on-the-fly capture, as with an analog-to-digital converter box, would the speed of the interface really matter.
To the best of my knowledge, your camcorder cannot transfer video from tape to your Mac via USB. I fact, as far as I know no MiniDV camcorder can output video to a Mac via USB.
So other than purchasing a different camcorder, there is probably no solution for you for importing video into an aluminum MacBook.
Regards.

USP Sony DVD Camcorder Importing problem

Reading your messages, makes me feel that I should go out and get myself a HD Camcorder.
Right now however I have a USB version and I just cannot get it to handshake with Movie HD 6.
I appear to be following all the rules, but I cannot get passed the system thinking its DVD Play that I am after.
DVD Player takes the whole screen, plays the Camcorder DVD perfectly, but because the software takes the whole screen I am locked out from getting to any functions.
Is there another version of iMovie that I should be using?
Thanks for any response.
John

iMovie is a video edit app meant to work with firewire connected miniDV/D8 camcorders
no support via usb, no support of DVDcorders... sorry to say.. :-/
Reading your messages, makes me feel that I should go out and get myself a HD Camcorder.
if you want to use the iApps, as they are intended for, you should buy a miniDV camcorder, standard or Hidef (=which needs a powerful Mac...)...
besides:
the DVDplayer app is a ... ehm, player app, no converter for DVD content to iM... and making the screen smaller: while the dvd plays, hit -1 or -0 to make the player window smaller...

Using Sony DVD model camcorder with Mac

Does anyone have any idea how to use the Sony DVD Handycam with a Mac? I can watch the DVDs on the IMAC but I can not download the DVDs to imovie to edit my own home videos. The Sony people told me to buy a PC, some help.

This DVD camera records using MPEG-2. That is the same as most all of the new Hard drive cameras.
This format is for playback and is not intended to be used as an editing format.
You will need to convert that format into a DV format that imovie can use.
MPEG Streamclip http://www.alfanet.it/squared5/mpegstreamclip.html is free and Apple's QuickTime MPEG-2 Playback Component http://www.apple.com/quicktime/mpeg2/
is about $20.00. They are the tools that you need to download to convert these files.
Once you have done that, export to DV Stream (.dv) and import it into iMovie.
Sue

Need help finding MiniDV camcorder with AV in

Hi,
I'm shopping for a MiniDV camcorder. Besides using it to make movies with iMovie, I want to be able to transfer analog video (i.e., VHS) into the unit. I understand that some MiniDV camcorders have an AV/in port for this. I'm having trouble finding such a unit. I'm looking to spend up to $500. Can you please lead me to one or two? Thanks.

James,
Here's a popular model by Sony. (Ya can't go wrong with a Sony).
Sony DCR-HC96 MiniDV 3.3MP Digital Handycam Camcorder with 10x Optical Zoom (Includes Handycam Station)
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-DCR-HC96-Digital-Handycam-Camcorder/dp/B000E0I5AI
Analog-to-Digital Converter: Yes (with Pass Through)
http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SYDisplayProductInformation-Start;sid=vrAxLbfxkpEx6vHUN9I7Jvj_-OYqrs5CuzY=?Categor yName=dcc_DICamcordersMiniDVHandycamCamcorders&ProductSKU=DCRHC96&TabName=specs&var2=
from Sony $649,
from PricGrabber.com $515 - $937 (depending on merchant)
Above all things, do your homework on camcorder model (features) and price.

Convert a DVD into Mini DV on Camcorder?

Hi,
This may be the wrong place, but I am trying to convert my burned DVD's onto Mini DV's, which are supported by my camcorder (Cannon). Firstly, I am trying to get DVD's I burned and then maybe commercial DVD's. Eventually I would like to get DVD's into DV format onto the computer, but I thought that I could get it into Mini DV first, then import through iMovie. I am trying to do all this w/o spending any money, and that's why I didn't buy on of these conversion software programs.
Suggestions?
--Christoph

Hi
A. A DVD-player is cheeper than any conv. program in Sweden (from €45)
B. don't put a mini DVD into Your iMac. You need a trayloaded DVD to do this.
C. Read what Karsten collected:
DVD back to iMovie:
.. and here the complete 'full 9 yards' ... :
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=3822853&#3822853
DVDs are in a socalled delivery format (mpeg2), which isn't meant and
made for any processing as editing... or, as honorable forum member
QuicktimeKirk stated: I use the analogy of the old Polaroid
"instant" cameras. Push the button, wait for the print to develop and
show it off. ..
for using the iLife apps, you have to convert'em first, in
recommended order, choose one of the following tools/workarounds:
• DVDxDV (free trial, 25$, Pro: 90$)
• Apple mpeg2 plugin (19$) + Streamclip (free)
• VisualHub (23.32$)
• Cinematize >60$
• Mpeg2Works >25$ + Apple plug-in
• Toast 6/7/8 allows converting to dv/insert dvd, hit apple-k
• connect a miniDV Camcorder with analogue input to a DVD-player and transfer disk to tape/use as converter
• Drop2DV (free) a free tool claiming to convert DVDs into dv-stream...
• Use iSquint for your conversions : www.iSquint.org
from: Bobby Keene
none of these apps override copyprotection mechanisms as on commercial dvds...
http://danslagle.com/mac/iMovie/tips_tricks/6010.shtml
http://danslagle.com/mac/iMovie/tips_tricks/6018.shtml
be nice to copy rights ^-^
... and, next time, try the forum's search-feature...
from Beverly M.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=42724
Yours Bengt W

How do you transfer video from a miniDV camcorder to the 2011 model of MacBook Pro

I recently found an old miniDV camcorder that was stored in my house from several years ago. There is video on the camcorder that I would like to import into my MacBook. However, the miniDV has a firewire connector and my MacBook does not. Is there a simple way to import the data to my MacBook?

If your MacBook has Thunderbolt, you can get a Thunderbolt to Firewire adapter which should give you the connectibity you need.
Allan

MiniDV camcorder iMovie Apple TV

I am using SD MiniDV camcorder (pal). I import and edit the clips in iMovie and then share the project to iTunes (ATV - large). Then I use ATV to watch it. I am somewhat disappointed about the picture quality in ATV. Some examples:
1) Play the clip straight from camera (plugging it to tv). Picture is good as expected.
2) Convert the (un-edited) dv-file to h.264 ((960 * 540, 4 mbps limit) using mpegstreamclip, then import it to iTunes. Using ATV to play it, picture is not so good as in example 1 but acceptable.
3) The easiest method: Share the project to iTunes (large) in iMovie. Picture is worse than in example 2 and there is quite a big difference comparing ex. 1 and ex. 3. It is difficult to describe it but the contrast looks worse and the picture looks like I am watching it through some misty glasses.
Now, I could convert the dv-files to AIC-format and de-interlace them (using mpegstreamclip) before importing them into iMovie. Perhaps the outcome from iMovie would then be better. But is there another way so I would not have to re-create my projects (editing and all..) in iMovie all over again?

No, that makes it even worse. Actually the medium choice is 640 * 360, since my source is 16:9. And my sorce is 720 * 576 (flagged 16:9).
I would think 1024 * 576 would be ideal in my case. But I really did not see any difference between 960 * 540 and 1024 * 576 (using mpegstreamclip to convert the dv-avi to h.264). They both looked ok although not as good as the original.

Retaining date/time when capturing from miniDV camcorder in PRE8

Has anyone a solution to the following problems observed when capturing
video/audio from a miniDV camcorder with Premiere Elements 8:
1) Even if "Split Scenes" is deselected in the capture dialog box - the captured video IS split into separate .avi files
2) When inspecting the .avi file metadata only the date is captured correctly from DV - time is always 23:00Z...? I have used other capture tools to verify that correct date/time is actually available in the captured video.
Thanks!
- Jan Anders

No known solution for PRE:
Timecode in AVI-Files
View video clip recording date in PRE7?
Cheers,
Neale
Insanity is hereditary, you get it from your children

MiniDV camcorder via USB not recognized in iMovie

I have the camcorder plugged in (power), and connected to the 24" iMac via USB, but iMovie or Mac can't see it. Any suggestions??

The only way to access the "Tape" content from a MiniDV camcorder is thru the "Firewire" port.
The USB is only used for pictures stored in the Memory card.

Minidv camcorder with USB

Hi,
the new macbook has no firewire so i ask if there is any minidv camcorder with usb for importing video in iMovie 08?
It should be a minidv camcorder.
Michael

Thats not the problem. I have several macs with firewire.
The problem is that i have an 9 year old canon dv camcorder and for this certainly several tapes stored.
So i'm looking for a camcorder with tapes and HD .
My son, who also does some video editing on his macbook (2,16 with firewire) wants a new macbook witch has no firewire.
I know that i can import the video on my macbook pro, copy it to an external drive, connect that to the macbook. Fine, but you know how much time this will take.
Therefore my question for an hdv camcorder with USB video import.
I hope the manufactuers will come out with such a camcorder.
Michael

Sony DVD camcorder series to miniDV camcorder to iMovie?

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