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.

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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.

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

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.

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.

I just bought a brand new Cannon GL2 camcorder and I am trying to import...

I just bought a brand new Cannon GL2 camcorder and I am trying to import some video footage into Final Cut Pro version 5.01. Whenever I put up the Log and Capture screen and turn my camcorder on the computer starts to think(the spinning color wheel) and not let me do anything else not even press play unless I completely turn the camcorder off again which defeats the whole purpose of me even importing footage. I don't understand why the Log and Capture screen won't let me import any video my old Sony Digital Hi8 was importing just fine a day ago, but now that I bumped up to the GL2 for some reason the Log and Capture screen isn't doing it's job so well by the computer starting to think(the spinning color wheel) instead of working. I have used the Cannon GL1 in the past and it worked like a charm. So I don't understand why the GL2 wouldn't be any easier? It is just giving me this problem and I don't know wether it's the firewire bus or what? Can someone please help me with my dilemma?

Ha...ha..very funny...but ah yeah from reading other posts on the "Canon" GL2 I figured out that you can't have multiple devices plugged into the firewire bus at the same time while you're importing video into Final Cut Pro. That's a HUGE bummer...thanks guys for your help you where fast and reliant. But now I have another problem my internal hard drive only has 4 GB out of 75 GB and my applications take up at least 40 GB of space. How am I going to connect my 600 GB external hard drive to the computer and import footage at the same time? Can you guys help me with this now?

Using Ipod as backup storage for HDD Camcorder

Hi there. I recently bought a sony 30 gb hard disk camcorder (dcrsr50e). I´m going on a 3 month travel so 30gb wont be enough. I was wandering if it is possible to use the ipod as storage on the road (ie without bringing my laptop) like I use the photo converter for my pictures, since I´m backpacking and would prefer not bringing my laptop.
If not, do you know any other ways of backing up a hdd camcorder on the road
Thank you Stefan

Now that your iPod is set for manual music management, does the iPod show up in Windows like an external drive? Do you see it listed either by name or by the generic "removable disk" under My Computer? Because once Windows recognizes it as a removable drive, you can open it and poke around for your files. First you need to expose hidden files using Windows' Tools•Folder Options•View settings. Then you'll see the folders in which the iPod stores all the stuff.

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

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..

How can I upload digital video from a HDD camcorder to iMac Intel?

I bought a Sony DCR SR100 camcorder with 30 gig HD, and the software that comes with it is Windows only, and the Mac software that they refer you to on the internet says "not Intel Core compatible"
So get this - the online support guy from Sony says to get a digital to analog conversion card to load the video thru the AV jacks. I reminded him that I'm starting with digital video in MPEG2 on the camera's hard drive - which is essentially an external hard drive. Converting to analog didn't sound right.
So there is an easy, no-brainer way to do this I'm sure (that is I hope)
Thanks a lot for your help,
Ellkabong
iMac Intel Mac OS X (10.4.6) Sony DCR SR100 HD camcorder 30 gig (nice!)

The problem (I discovered) is that the files are "muxed" which means that the audio and video are somehow intermixed, so they need to be converted into a standard that iMovieHD can read, like "DV"
There is a shareware called MPEG STREAMCLIP that converts video into other things. I tested it and it does work. I just need to figure out the most efficient way to import, convert and open in iMovie.
http://www.squared5.com/svideo/mpeg-streamclip-mac.html
I think it is universal which is cool.
I am curious about the workstation that you mentioned to run windows software. Where can I find that?

Connect camcorder drivers for a Sony CCD-TRV608 Hi8 Camcorder for Windows 8.1. How do I SOLVE? New camcorder?

There are no drivers for a Sony CCD-TRV608 Hi8 Camcorder for Windows 8.1. How can I solve this problem? Do I need to buy a newer or different model that plays video8 and videoHi8 tapes that IS compatible? Its a shame because I searched for months for the power cord and bought connecting cords for USB and the old fashion three RCA plugs for a VHS VCR and now I cant use them.

Dear Comrade VideoGeek, Yes, I am extremely frustrated, and you have my sincere apology if I was rude to you. I should have known better than to say unwise and unkind things to you. My bad entirely. Sorry!! The things you don't know are that Windows 8.1 does not under ANY circumstances acceps USB video streaming. Not from my camera and not from Dazzle or ANY other device or cable. That is written into STONE by Microsoft. Can't do nothing about it. That's a barrier that cannot be broken or worked around. The other thiing you don't know is that I do not have RCA outlets on my camera. I bought it assuming it must have as most devices until then did and got it home in 2001 or whenever and found to my great dismay that it ONLY has a USB output. Not multicolored RCA jacks of any kind. That is also a barrier that I cannot break unless I buy a used camera that takes my tapes and DOES have RCA outputs. My bad. I should have returned it immediately at the time, unfortunately I was too ill at the time to do so. I know you were only trying to help. I'm sorry if I was snippy with you. You were extremely kind to try to help. And I appreciate you. Hopefully other people will see your answers and they will help them. Meanwhile, I'm banging my head against the Apple walls trying to find out which product of theirs MAY be able to work for me and which is the best solution for me all around and that too is a nightmare. Thank YOU for being so kind!! And for respoding with kindness.

Hooking up my JVC HDD Camcorder. HELP!!

I have a JVC Everio HDD Camcorder and want to import movie files to my MBP and use in a video analysis package and FCE. The camcorder hooks up ok and I can see it in the Finder but none of the file formats seem to be of any use.
Files are either.MOI or .TOD
Anybody have a clue how I can do this? JVC website and the original manual are no help at all.
Hope you guys out there can help.

Cheers, downloaded the free Streamclip and the £15 MPEG-2 Component and all works really easily. Wish I didn't need to do this each time but happy to be able to make full use of my camcorder.
Thanks Tom.

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)

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

Just bought a new 21" iMac , wanted to transfer my home movies to DVD. I have a Sony HDR-hc9 1080i camcorder , I link cable. I see there is no FireWire plugs on new iMac. How do I transfer the video to the iMac?

I see there in on FireWire plugs on the back I have a Sony HDR-hc9 1080i camcorder and ilink cable. Is there and adapter plug for the lightning outlet?

Apple Thunderbolt to FireWire Adapter
$29 US.

Sony or Cannon HDD Camcorder?

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