Sony Handycam Problem

Last week I bought a sony dcr-dvd403 to videotape my daughter's first birthday party, which is now tomorrow!!!
It is a mini DVD, not a mini DV. The recording and finalizing go fine. The video plays on the camera. Then, I load the disc into the top loading drive I bought specifically to load the mini discs on my computer, and boom - just a bunch of files the computer can't open... The file extensions are .BUP, .IFO, AND .VRO.
I think the .VRO is the one where the video footage resides. Does anyone know how to convert it. After hours on the phone with sony (who doesn't promise that the discs will play in anything other than the camera itself) says to call Apple. Apple, said to check the discussion boards. You guys are my only hope! Thanks,
Liz

I picked this up from a "dvspot" article by Jim Keller, and have used it successfully. By the way, I have abandoned my Sony mini-DVD camera and bought the new HD-HC1 high def camcorder because it records to digital video tape and has Firewire output, which avoids this problem. Keller's solution:
"So how do you extract the video? On my Mac, I used a program called OpenShiiva, an open source VOB-to-MPEG4 converter (there are other products like this out there). This turned the 13 VOB files into 13 MP4 files, which may be as far as some people need to go. However, Final Cut has no interest in reading these, so I had to open the MP4 files in QuickTime, and export them into DV format. Then I was able to import them into Final Cut, where they still needed to be split up into separate clips. I should add that Final Cut can read VOB files, but the sound does not get imported for some reason.
To tie things back into what I said much earlier, these DVD camcorders seem to be a "shoot and watch" system. Shoot, maybe delete a few things (assuming you're using the DVD-RW discs), and finalize. Serious video editors may want to steer clear of DVD camcorders because of all these added steps."
Amen.
DP G5 (2GHZ) Mac OS X (10.4.3)

Similar Messages

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.

Problems connecting Sony HandyCam in iMovie

I'm running a MacBook Pro 10.6.8 and trying to import movies from my Sony HandyCam HC-52 via the firewire port in iMovie. I have the camera set to playback/edit as required, but the camera never shows up in the "import" window. I'm running a brand new firewire cable, but the only camera that iMovie recognizes is the built-in Web cam. Why won't the HandyCam show up under "Import"?

Hi
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

Problems importing Sony Handycam mpg files into Premier Pro CS4

I'm investigating Premier Pro CS4 for video editing and if I can make it work okay then I will purchase the Master Collection. Otherwise I may go to the MAC and use Final Cut. I need immediately to edit files downloaded from a Sony HandyCam that come off in an mpg format I believe it is (MPEG-2). My understanding is that the Premier Pro supports the importing of mpg files.
When I attempt to import one of theses mpg files I get the error, "Unsupported file format or damaged file." I know the files are okay because I can play them with Windows Media Player and have been able to edit them with Window Movie Maker. Now I need a more robust editing environment and am looking at Premier Pro to be the solutions.
Has anyone had experience with importing mpg files? Is there a Codec needed? If so where can I get it and how do I install it?

Adobe wouldn't help me on the phone, as I haven't got a support contract. Perfectly rational by them, just stupid.
I've asked my software supplier to forward on some questions and a link to this thread to Adobe support and they should be looking at it soon.
Also, there is another possible solution that might help those of you with full versions.
There is some advice here on one way to give Premiere Pro the ability to import MPEGs.
http://www.mediacollege.com/adobe/premiere/pro/import/mpeg-ac3.html
This is very attractive to me - as I know the AC3 audio codec is used by my MPEG files and it sounds like it could be a solution. Of course, I've tried it, and I still get the same error.
I ran the files through TSRemux and got the same 'file format not supported' error message.
I've also been trying to import a .mov file into the trial version and I get the same error. Jim, would you be able to help me by saying in which other ways the trial version is limited?

Saving Video from a Sony Handycam HDD - I'm stuck in iMovie ****!

We foolishly bought a Sony Handycam HDD video camera last year, thinking we could save our movies to DVD using the computer.
I can do it using the laptop we got my daughter for Christmas, but this isn't really feasible. My G4 has iMovie 3.0.3. and even though I recently upgraded to a 2Ghz processor, I still can't install the iMovie I bought with iLife '08 2 years ago.
I need to be able to save files from my Sony handycam to my computer and burn DVDs. Or even if I could just burn them without saving, that would be fine.
I have heard that I need StreamClip from Apple and I see that I need to buy Apple MPEG-2 converter first and then I see in the feedback category for that product, everyone who gave it bad marks was trying to do what I'm trying to do. Then I read somebody recommended Quicktime Pro...
I'm completely confused..and frustrated!!!!
Is there a version of iMovie that will work for me even though I just have a plain old 2Ghz processor?
Would Quicktime Pro or some other software do it for me? I don't mind paying $30 for some software that I'm only going to use for saving movies from camera to DVD, but I'd rather upgrade iMovie if that was possible.
thank you.
(I'll come in off the ledge now...)

Hey. This is a really good question because I too have run into video problems with mine. After a couple of years I couldn't stand it anymore so I sprung for a MacBook Pro for myself this past Christmas. When I say video problems I mean I can't watch a DVD, a video on the net, etc. It's a pain.
But I still haven't given up on it. Currently it's just used for storage. Did that processor upgrade make any difference for you? I've been looking into that upgrade along with an upgrade to Leopard on the Quicksilver to see if it can handle the video.
We bought a Panasonic video recorder and have a G5 (pardon me but I don't know the processor speed). Even that computer wouldn't recognize the video files stored on the recorder and refused to import them. I called Panasonic and they explained I needed iLife '09. (Currently on the G5 there is '08 and it is running Tiger.)
What you might want to do is a couple of simple upgrades. First the OS to Leopard and then upgrade your iLife to '09. I can say that the camcorder works like it should with iMovie '09 just like the rep at Panasonic said it would.
Hope this helps.
Frank

How do I get the Movies off my new Sony Handycam using iMovie?

WOW! I didn’t think that this would be such an issue!
So, I purchase a new Sony Handycam DCR-SR42 with a 30 GB
Hard Drive in it. I ask the sales person “Is this camera compatible
with my G5 Mac?” He says, it sure is! I take it home record the kids
around the house, and my daughter’s ballet recidal. COOL!
Then I go and try and downlaod the movies to my Mac. I come to
find out that the 2 cds that came with the camera are pretty worthless!
Sony states in one of the bullet points in the instruction manuel
that the software on the cd will not work on a Macintosh computer.
So, I figured, NO big deal, I will be using iMovie! Unfortunately
iMovie does not recognize the camera when I hook it up, because
it can only hook up using a USB connection. It doesn’t even offer
a Firewire connection, and iMovie ONLY recognizes Firewire.
I then find on one of the cds, a PDF of the Handycam Handbook.
It states in the PDF, that Mac users need to open the disk icon
on the desk top for the camera, and copy the files from the camera
to my hard drive. So I follow the steps and do this. Then I go to
open one of the files using Qucktime, and I get an error message
stating that Quicktime cannot open the file because it could not
parse it -2048!?!?!
Next, I go to the Apple web site to see if I can find anything to
resolve all this. I find an article “iMovie does not work with muxed
MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 clips” In the article it states that if the files
are MPEG2 Muxed files, iMovie can not support them!
I come to find out that the files are MPEG2 Muxed files. It seems
that the newer camcorders are using this format, because the files
are heavily compressed to allow the camera to cram more data
on the hard disk. The problem is you need some kind of software
to decompress these files in order to use them, and Sony doesn’t
include it for the Mac!
After more research I find - QuickTime MPEG-2 Playback on the
Apple web site. I purchase it for $19.99 from the site hoping this
will be the answer. Nope! It allowed me to open the movies in
QuickTime, and copy them into iMovie but they are only the
video portion. They have NO audio!
Anyone else run into this whole pile of BS?!?!!? If so, were you
able to figure out a work around? Or, are you stuck with a cool
camera full of movies, with NO way of getting them off with
sound? Well. unless you find someone with a PC that has
a DVD burner in it! Man, that thought scares the ---- out of me!
°Jeff Camp
camper
G5 Mac OS X (10.3.9)

Get a nice Sony miniDV camcorder. It is not too expensive; it is small and easy to carry around to shoot your video. Most importantly, it will be instantly compatible with iMovie. You don't have to install any software, just connect it via FireWire (Sony calls this iLink) and you are good to go!
I have had several Sonys and love them. You don't need one with fancy editing capabilities because you will edit your movies in iMovie. Just be sure that it has AV In and Out so you can import and export back to the camcorder.
My current version is the small DCR HC-26. There are newer versions of that HC-30something and 40something. Look at the specs on Sony's website
Some of them require the use of a dock to import and export. I am not really fond of that feature. I like just connecting directly to the camera.

Sony Handycam DCR-HC26 not recognized by iMovie'08

System: iMac PPC G5, 2GB DDR SRAM, running 10.5.8
iMovie: '80 7.1.4 (585)
Camera: Sony Handycam DCR-HC2, plugged in (battery in too), in Play/Edit mode (not record mode)
Firewire: 4-6pin, tried 2 cables.
Alert message: "No camera connected. To import video please connect a camera."
Camera on/Firewire in before starting iMovie; also tried restarting with Firewire already attached, no joy.
I DID successfully import video from this camera to another mac about two years ago -- it wouldn't recognize it at first, but I bought a new cable and that took care of it. This time I used the "old" (new last time; gold connections) AND bought a new one. Nothing doing.
Anyone have any help to offer? If I have the time I'll try to dust off the (home) machine that I used a few years ago (not sure which iMovie that was) and see if that works...
Thanks in advance!

Hej Sixten
May be You find help here.
*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
• 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
• 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 eg recording and playback to TV)
A/D-box
• Is the dip-switches set right ?
• Set to same standard as recorded/editing eg 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
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.
• 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 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 !
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 uninstalling 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 halps
DJ1249 wrote
The problem was the external backup hard drive that is connected, you need to disconect 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=odwenGB&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 movies from a mini DVD made from Sony handycam DCR-DVD105

I have a Sony Handycam DCR-DVD105. It records on to mini DVDs. I can play them with no problem into my DVD player, but when I put them into my external drive my computer recognizes it as a dvd but imovie dose not recognize it as a readable file. Do I need to convert this file to a different format? If so , with what program?
powerbook G4 Mac OS X (10.3.9)

Welcome to discussions!:)
Using Mpeg (DVD) footage
http://danslagle.com/mac/iMovie/tips_tricks/6010.shtml
some helpful tools:
MPEG StreamClip:
http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/video/mpegstreamclip.html
Apple MPEG2 PlayBack Component:
http://www.apple.com/quicktime/mpeg2/
DVDxDV
http://www.dvdxdv.com/
BTW- I love the Cardinals and Kenny Wallace..
:)Sue

Sequence settings for Sony HandyCam video

I'm working with video shot on a Sony Handycam HDR-CX550. I had no problem importing it into iMovie and then to FCP, however I can't figure out what sequence settings I should use. It appears to be 16x9, but shows up as 4x3 in my FCP bin. Also, the sequence settings I've tried all require rendering every time I make an edit, which obviously becomes a huge pain.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

My understanding is that IMovie works with DV streams (files with a .dv extension). You need to convert these to DV quicktimes (with a .mov extensions). Use Compressor (which comes with fcp) to do this. There is an apple preset for this format.

FCP sequence settings for Sony HandyCam video

I'm working with video shot on a Sony Handycam HDR-CX550. I had no problem importing it into iMovie and then to FCP, however I can't figure out what sequence settings I should use. It appears to be 16x9, but shows up as 4x3 in my FCP bin. Also, the sequence settings I've tried all require rendering every time I make an edit, which obviously becomes a huge pain.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

I have FCP 6. Should I put this question in the Final Cut Studio forum?

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.

Transferring VOB files ex Sony Handycam DVD

OK it's my turn.
I bought the newer model HD Sony Handycam- you know, the one that likes mini 8cm. DVD discs. Great camera- when I learn how to use it properly.
The BIG problem is- how do I transfer the VOB files on the 8cm. DVD disks to iMovie ??? APPLE, in their wisdom, don't allow dubbing of VOB files- illegally copying of commercial DVDs.
I have use SnapzProX to get around this- with limited success. I lose High Definition as I can't get a high bitrate HD requires. When I try, I get stuttering and intermittent sound loss if I try to GRAB at full picture size- "slow" eMac ?
PS can somebody try this method on a "super" dual Mac ?
Well, I have tried MOST of the utilities that convert VOB and VIDEO_TS to some QT file- all either give unacceptable "streaking" and/or video-sound not synchronised! So dimiss ExportToQT,Handbrake. MPEG Streamclip and even VLC (plays excellently, impossible to SAVE QT file) and a few others that I gave up months ago !
Ernie Lee

I don't like flames, so, Ernie, last post from here, it is not you & me, but many other users do read these threads, so for everybody some facts:
* the resolution of the ccd has NOTHING to do, what's finally on tape/disk/drive/flashmem/… I'm able to connect a 60k$1080p HiDef camera to some 20y old VHS-c recorder... resulting pic quality?
* PAL has NOT 1100x620 - Wiki about PAL
* HiDef is - as mentioned above - NOT widescreen nor vice versa, Wiki Def of HDTV
* read some Wiki about DV
(Quote:)
"...Also, there is a recent high-definition version called HDV, which is rather different on a technical level since it only uses the DV and MiniDV tape form factor, but MPEG-2 for compression (and, as a result, records higher resolution but more highly compressed video).…
(Note that many MPEG-2 encoders for real-time acquisition applications do not use intraframe compression.)…
(End of quote)
* and about mpeg-2
* and about DVD
(Quote:)
"...The typical video resolution for an NTSC disc is 720 × 480, while a PAL disc is 720 × 576.
... The specifications for video files on a DVD can be any of the following:… PAL: 704 × 576 pixels MPEG2...
(End of quote)
stay happy with your camera, glad you're satisfied with pic quality and convenience of this product… but, please, avoid to tell us the "truth"... I did marketing for some 20 years, I know "never believe what's in the ads"
PS: … any "translation" available for your last sentence…?

Sony handycam, how to load into idvd?

I recently switched over to mac. one problem i am having is trying to edit my dvd's. I have a sony handycam dvr dvd505 and cant load my movies into the computer because it only has usb and no firewire. can anyone help me out? thanks..

I recently switched over to mac. one problem i am
having is trying to edit my dvd's. I have a sony
handycam dvr dvd505 and cant load my movies into the
computer because it only has usb and no firewire. can
anyone help me out? thanks..
Jon,
I'm sorry, but your DVD based camera isn't a good fit for use on a Mac. If you finalize the discs in the camera you may be able to play them in your Mac and copy the MPG-2 compressed content to you Mac from the DVD.
To be able to then use your movies in iMovie and iDVD will require you transcode the MPG-2 compressed movies you have into DV video. When you create a DVD with iDVD the DV content will be reencoded to MPG-2. If this sounds less than ideal, that's because it is.
Several programs will do the conversion from MPG-2 for you: mpegstreamclip, Roxio's Toast and VisualHub are just three such programs.
F Shippey

Sony Handycam DCR-DVD105

Hello, we have a sony handycam dcr-dvd105. We have had this for a few years now & we have never been able to put our movies onto either the macbook or mbp. Can someone please tell me what cable is needed to transfer the movies. I have asked many people and no one seems to know how. Once they hear the word apple computer they freak out. We would appreciate any help. Thanks in advance.

.. problem is: your device has no 'out'-ports, no firewire, no usb ( ! ) ...
so, it is no Apple vs Windows issue..
only workflow:
'finalize' your disks in your device (read manual)
and convert dvd..
are your disks standard-size or 'small dvds'? NEVER insert non-standard-sized disks in your slot-in drive! solve this problem by using an external disk-drive..
use the forum search 'dvd import' to find the many options .. iM08 allows a 'trick', no 3rd party apps needed, watch my screencast (9MB) ..
How to import a DVD into iM08
disclaimer: I do profit from linking to this site.
last word: consider the purchase of a non-DVD-based camcorder..

Sony Handycam dcr-hc24 on my MBP

Hi there,
I'm living in The Netherlands and I would like to connect my Sony Handycam dcr-hc24e to my MBP.
I wouldn't start this discussion if I hadn't a problem. I'm not sure how to connect this Handycam to my MBP. All the cables does not fit. What should I buy in Mac Store to make this work? (Adapters, firewire cables?) Please give me a link to the cable or adapter on the store so I can use this.
Sincerely,
Giovannie

Most cameras come with a USB cable. According to what I saw on the Internet, one comes with the specific model you describe. Have you contacted Sony on this problem. It has been my observation that Sony does not provide software for Macs, only for PC's.
Ciao.

Sony Handycam Problem

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