USB Camcorder

I have a sony DV camcorder. On my old computer (iBook G4), I connected via 4-pin to 6-pin firewire. However, my new MacBook Pro has a 9-pin firewire port. I know this wasn't the case on older macs, but can I connect the camcorder to my new mac with the USB option?

USB will not work. You will need to purchase a 4 pin to 9 pin Firewire Cable. They are available cheaply online at places like [monoprice.com|http://www.monoprice.com/home/index.asp]
or you can get them at Radio Shack and places like that.

Similar Messages

  • Poor Picture Quality in iMovie Which USB Camcorder Will Work and Which Won'

    Dear Colleagues,
    I continue to read accounts by readers regarding iMovie 98 havinga poor image quality when sharing to iDVD. It has been suggested that users with non-High Definition camcorders, standard DV8 camcorders such as my Sony DCR-TRV315, are stretching the Movie to far when using the Large and Medium setting for sharing ing to iDVD and other media.
    If this is the case, what pixel size should I use when sharing to iDVD. I had understood that 720X480 was the standard format for non-High Definition Digital 8 Camcorders. So what correct pixel ratio should I use for DVD playback on a wide-screen HDTV with non-HD recordings.
    I am planning to purchase a Sony USB camcorder and I continue to hear reports that they and other brands of USB camcorders won't work with iMovie 08. Is this simply a new user not fully understanding how his new camcorder works?
    If this is not the case, how can one determine which USB camcorders are compatible with iMovie 08?
    Please get back to me soon.
    Best regards,
    Robert O. Cobb
    aka The Clemmons Kid

    A great deal has been said about im08 degrading interlaced video, to qualify the matter im08 resorts to progressive video depending on the capabilities of your mac, I for example can achieve full quality 1080i exports.
    Additionally the matter has to be put into perspective. Of course a source video looks clearer on a mac if it is displayed in it's original interlaced format on a frame by frame basis, but this isn't how one would watch video. interlaced video looks dreadful on a computer monitor and needs to be de-interlaced to be watched, additionally you would never watch a video frame by frame and so comparing video in this way is somewhat pointless. There is a quality difference on some macs but if the video is compared in a realistic way the difference is quite small and often unnoticeable.
    720 x 480 as you likely realise uses non square pixels which will be converted to square pixels for your AVC exports in im08, to maintain the aspect ratio of the pixels you should export to DV.
    There are a list of supported cameras here, but of course there are many that are not in this list that do work. If you select a camera, post to see if anyone has had any compatibility issues, but as you seem to be aware a number of apparent issues are as a result of user errors rather than incompatibility.

  • Capture video from a USB camcorder?

    I've happily used iMovie since 2003, but now I have a new Canon Vixia HF S100 camcorder and a new quad-core Mac Pro (and new Snow Leopard). I tried to use iMovie '09 but it drove me up the wall. When I read that iMovie '09 converts 1080p to 1080i (i.e., it throws away every other horizontal line) I bought Final Cut Express 4. Now I'm plowing my way through the manual. I've reached page 175, "Capturing Your Footage to Disk."
    When I connect the camcorder to the computer and then in Final Cut Express choose "File > Capture" I get this error message: "Unable to initialize HDV deck. Please make sure a deck is connected and try again." Apparently Final Cut Express isn't communicating with the camcorder. When I connect the camcorder to the computer iPhoto automatically opens, so the camcorder is communicating with the computer. I successfully connected the camcorder to iMovie and downloaded videos. So the problem is with Final Cut Express.
    I believe that the problem is that in "Easy Setup" I chose "HDV-Apple Intermediate Codec 1080i60." I chose this because the camcorder's manual says that its Recording System is AVCHD (MPEG-4 AVC/H.264); and its Television System is 1080/60i.
    However, in "Easy Setup" it specifies "Device Control Preset: HDV FireWire NTSC." My camcorder doesn't have FireWire, it has USB. I looked through the User Preferences and System Settings but couldn't find any option for connecting via USB instead of FireWire. I looked at the other Easy Setup options and I only saw FireWire connections, no USB.
    Is Final Cut Express unable to communicate with USB camcorders?
    I tried using Canon ImageBrowser 6.2.0.1, it downloads photos from the camcorder but I can't get it to download videos. If I could get it to download the videos maybe I could import them into Final Cut Express.
    I could download the videos into iMovie and then import them into Final Cut Express, but if iMovie throws away every other horizontal line when it downloads videos this will result in lower quality videos (i.e., that's why I bought Final Cut Express).
    What should I do?

    Well the help seemed straightforward, but....
    Do I use "capture" to get to view my video on the FCExpress screen, or "Import"?
    Whatever I use I just get an image from the inbuilt camera on the mac....not what I am after.
    I used to work for Sony and Canon and I can tell you I wrote instructions that were understandable. All I get on my screen with the Final Cut Express is:
    Capture Preset must have a video or an audio digitizer set to capture. Please change to desired present in the Audio/ Video Settings.
    <OK>
    Well that is not OK since they don't directly send you there to make the changes and after searching for 30 minutes you wonder WHY it should be made such a mystery. WHY not just tell us what to do and lead us there? We are not interested in reprograming like the windows boys - that is why we use APPLE but Apple have left us with the "searching forums" option. You have better things to do with your time rather than write the Apple instructions. But there is NO other option, rather than try combination after combination after combination after combination until you have no more time and look for something which has a chance of success - like stopping the river flowing outside past the house. Managed to do this four times in the last month - why is this easier than connecting the camera to the computer? Because you can see what is going on.
    Your help is as ever greatly appreciated and will rescue the Apple from joining the fish;-)

  • How can I get my iMovie 4 working with a USB Camcorder

    Hello everybody,
    I bought a Sony DCR SX33E which does not have a FireWire connection. IMovie does not recognize the camcorder and it is not possible to transfer the recorded material to iMovie 4. What can I do to get the camcorder working with my iMovie via USB?
    Any help is much appreciated.
    Best regards
    Zuse

    These cameras aren't supported in iMovie. It shoots in standard definition MPEG-2. You'll need MPEG Streamclip to convert the media to QuickTime DV as I don't think that version of iMovie supports other codecs.

  • Aufnahme mit USB-Camcorder Production premium CS4?

    Hallo,
    ich habe früher mit Premiere 6.5 und einem Mini-Dvd Camcorder Mit firerwire Anschluss gearbeitet. Jetz habe ich die Production Premium CS4 und einen Camcorder mit KArtenspeicher und USB-KAbel.
    Kann ich immer noch irgendwie live auf dem Compuer sehen, was die Kamera aufnimmt oder direkt über Premiere etc. auf demComputer speichern? (wie früher über die Stop-Motion-Funktion)?
    Welches Programm kommt dafür infrage? gibt es ein USB zu Firewirekabel, mit dem dasdann funktionieren könnte?
    Vielen Dank!

    Kann ich immer noch irgendwie live auf dem Compuer sehen, was die Kamera aufnimmt oder direkt über Premiere etc. auf demComputer speichern?
    Nein. Nicht per USB. Dafür bräuchte man spezielle Treiber und das müßte dann schon die Kamera mitbringen. Im Gegensatzt zu Firewire ist da nix standardisiert (OHCI), weil USB ja eben für belibige andere Geräteklassen auch in Frage kommt. Sicher gibt es irgendwelche Konverterkable/ -boxen, aber für solche Fragen biste auf Foren wie Slashcam besser aufgehoben oder durchsuchst einfach mal die Onlineshops von conrad, Computeruniverse usw.
    Mylenium

  • Importing from USB camcorder?

    Hi
    I've got a new Sony hard disk camcorder, which has USB output, but iMovie seems unable to import or even recognise the camera. It seems odd that USB input isn't supported. Do any of you think this is something coming up in future releases? Or is it already possible? This is from the iMovie page:
    "And those of you using an MPEG-4 video cam can place the flash cards on which it records video into a USB 2.0 or FireWire card reader to import your video into iMovie."
    Hmm...
    Mark

    It seems odd that USB input isn't supported.
    Why is it odd? iMovie has only supported Firewire since day 1. And Apple makes no secret about it.
    Now, in recent years, there has been support for SOME cameras that record MPEG-4 on flash cards. Don't hold your breath for HDD support. HDD cameras record in MPEG-2 (usually). MPEG-2 is a pure delivery format, not editing format.
    Also, anything but miniDV tape is highly compressed, so you will never see the same quality as from a miniDV camera.
    I suggest you return the camera and get a compatible one.
    If not, you got to have lots of spare time and the right software to get the video in:
    http://www.sjoki.uta.fi/%7Eshmhav/SVCDon_a_Macintosh.html#edit_convertMPEG

  • How can I get USB camcorder MPEG2 files into iMovie

    I have a G4. The version of iMovie that will allow a direct connect of my new Panasonic 60 GB camcorder won't work on my older mac. Does anyone know of a way that I can get the MPEG2 files (they don't look like MPEG2 files) off of the hard drive of my camcorder so that I can get them into iMovie. I am able to mount the camera's hard drive and can see all the files. They have .mod and .moi extensions on them.

    First you need the MPEG-2 Playback Component from Apple (19,99$). Then download the MPEG-Streamclip from the internet.
    Copy the mod-files at your Mac (you don't need the moi). Open Mpeg-Streamclip and drag the mod's in the application. Convert all files to dv.
    Sorry for the bad english.
    Message was edited by: schmerre
    Message was edited by: schmerre

  • How to Turn USB Camcorder Into WebCam

    I have a Sony HandyCam DCR-SR68 and I would like to use it as a WebCam for my Computer.  Is there any cheap (free?)way to do this?  I have the USB cable, but I would not like to get a video card to convert it to digital.  I would like to know if there are any drivers or software I can use so I just plug my camera into my comuter and it can be used as a webcam.  Thanks!

    With an Intel based Mac, you can boot from either FW or USB. Clone your internal drive to an external one using either SuperDuper, Carbon Copy Cloner, or
    SilverKeeper.
    I use SuperDuper since it was the only one that was Tiger compatible from Day One. The other two took several weeks to be updated and I couldn't be without a backup utility that long.

  • Playback on USB Camcorder LCD

    Hi,
    May i know do i posible to playback on my consumer Camcorder's LCD as a monitoring while editing? How to set it up?
    Thanks!!!!;)

    Oh...Sad to heard it...
    I've try out via FIREWIRE with my JVC GZ-HD7...seems it's not work so...is it because of the VTR playback of Hard Drive?
    FCP only reconize the Firewire camcorder which is HDV (tape) base?
    Any other simple, easy and budget way to run my playback on HDTV thorugh component or RCA signal?
    Thanks so much!!!

  • Downloading digital video from camcorder using USB

    I know this is not really a new topic, but I am new to all this and can't figure out how to post to an existing topic which addresses it. I found a posting which says I can download digital video by opening "Image Capture" and under preferences telling what I want done when a USB camcorder is connected. I find that preferences does not specifically ask about USB, but does ask, when a camcorder is connected, if I want to open Image Capture, IPhoto, or no application. I selected Image Capture, connected the camcorder through a USB port, set the camcorder to play/edit, and got nothing, no acknowledgement that the computer recognizes the presence of the camcorder. Now what?

    Well, I tried Firewire, which I thought myself would solve the problem. Bought a new Firewire cable because I have never had one. Plugged the 4-pin into my camcorder, and the 6-pin into a Firewire port on my eMac. Turned the camcorder on to Play/edit, which is the playback setting. No indication on the computer that the camcorder is connected. Tried Image Capture, iPhoto, iDVD, and iMovie. None of them gave me anything. I suppose there is a slim possibility that the cable is defective, but I don't have any other Firewire peripherals, so I don't know how to check it. Any suggestions on that or any other way to troubleshoot? I also tried playback of a video in the camcorder. It plays fine internally, but still no response from the computer.

  • Can't import into FCE 4 using usb cameras

    Hi - I do understand others have asked this, but I can't quite understand the answers. Since we upgraded our library camera to a pro model (panasonic) that uses SD cards rather than tape, and USB 2 rather than firewire, I cannot import anything into FCE. What's worse, though iMovie 8 will recognize the cards and import the movies, the sound is invariably out of sync. So I have two problems:
    1. I understand from the other posts I've read that I will have to change my settings if FCE is to recognize the USB camera. But exactly how do I do this? It's far from transparent.
    2. Then, is there a way we can salvage the movies with the out-of sync sound by importing them into FCE? I have tried this with one file so far, but the result was dropped frames that were really noticable.
    Ideally, I'd just love to use iMovie, which I know, but something has gone wrong with the import process there since we upgraded our camera. (Really ideally - I'd stay with iMovie HD!).
    The most important part of this question, for now, is: how do I change the settings in FCE so that I can import with a usb camera? Do I need to reinstall it? TIA!

    The only type of USB camcorder that FCE supports is the AVCHD format. If your camera records like that, you are in luck. Start by going to +Final Cut Express > Easy Setup.+ From there, select the setup that matches the media you shot. For example, if you shot footage with a frame size of 1920x1080 at 29.97 frames per second, choose the AVCHD Apple Intermediate Codec 1920x1080i60 setup.
    Once you have matched your easy setup to your media, create a new sequence. Go to +File > Log and Transfer,+ which will open a window with which you can log and ingest your AVCHD footage to your computer from your camera.
    2. Then, is there a way we can salvage the movies with the out-of sync sound by importing them into FCE?
    Most likely not. If you want to continue using iMovie you should ask over in the iMovie forum about how to capture your footage while keeping the audio in sync.

  • USB Camcorders that work with New FW-less Macbook

    I cant resist. I need to get my hands on one of the new silver toys.
    But I also need to make videos of my clients.. Right now I have a DV Camcorder going into my old iBook and I record directly with iMovie 06. I don't import the DV tape
    Which USB camcorder can give me the same functionality? Is USB fast enough for this?
    NB I don't want to record on the camera's HD or Flash Card, but just want to stream the video into the Mac book directly.
    NB 2 I do want to be able to use it as a normal camcorder for other projects though so a "normal USB web camera" is not what i am looking for

    The only other thing that I can think of is this http://store.apple.com/us/product/TR877LL/A?fnode=MTY1NDExOA&mco=NzYwMjE2#overvi ew
    But, like you said, the best way is through firewire.
    I have used several usb based camcorders with the new macbook with success, such as Canon HF10, Sony CX7 and Panasonic SD9. I have used both USB connection and SD card adapter and they import into iMovie fine. But the problem is, without firewire, I dont see a good solution for streaming, or capturing into the Mac directly on the fly. I may have to try the Pinnacle product above, but would much rather just have firewire.

  • Connecting FireWire Camcorder

    I have a Sharp vl-wd255, and I bought a firewire cable from Radio Shack. Nothing happens when I connect it. When I have iMovie HD open and try to import video, it says that there is no camcorder connected. I tried the camcorder and cable on a modern Gateway, and it doesn't detect it either. When we tried to the cable the cable to Radio Shack, they said that it is probably a USB camcorder. I'm now sure that it isn't. We tried again, and they told us that our firewire port may be turned off, and we need to enable it. I don't know how to do this. The camcorder works fine. Does anyone know how to enable the firewire port? Or, is the problem the firewire cable?
    Thanks.
    Mac Mini   Mac OS X (10.4.3)  

    Your camcorder does indeed have a Firewire connector (marked as an iEEE1393 port on the rear panel), but unfortunately, that doesn't give any assurance that it will work with a Mac. Indeed, there seem to be a number of camcorder manufacturers who's products are either only partially compatible, or not compatible at all. As a consequence you may find that even with the benefit of a new cable, the camcorder isn't recognised by iMovie or Final Cut.
    If that turns out to be the case, not all is necessarily lost. I found with my JVC that iMovie would often report that there was no camcorder when I was trying to import, and that I could get it to connect by switching off the camcorder, restarting iMovie and switching back on. Sometimes unplugging the cable and then reconnecting it worked. Manually starting playback on the camcorder before clicking 'import' in iMovie also sometimes worked. When exporting back to tape, iMovie always reported no camcorder, but if I manually started the record, on the camcorder instead of letting iMovie trigger it, iMovie would then export perfectly.
    Similar reports were common from users of some other JVC miniDV models, as with Samsung and others.
    Unfortunately, if you cannot get the software to recognise the camcorder by any variation of switch on/connection sequences, it would then suggest that the Sharp wd255 isn't compatible and that you may need to replace it with a model that is. Most Sony miniDV camcorders work well, Panasonics seem to and most Canons. It would be strongly recommended that if you do buy a new camcorder, you shop from a source that will allow an exchange should you find that the Mac won't recognise it properly.

  • Is there any way to get videos from my Sony Handycam to my MacBook?

    I just found out today about how the Handycam (which uses MiniDV) uses a firewire cable, while the MacBook doesn't have a firewire port. Obviously this is a problem. I am exceedingly new to Apple. I need a simple answer as to whether there is ANYTHING I can do, even if roundabout, to get the material I have on Mini-DV tapes onto the MacBook.
    Also, if this is going to be a real problem, is there a different type of camcorder I should look at buying instead of my (practically brand new...) Handycam?
    Thanks

    Welcome to Apple Discussions!
    If you need Firewire look at the new (early 2009) white Macbook it has Firewire. (and the new NVIDIA graphics.)
    http://www.apple.com/macbook/white/
    Thousands of computer peripherals use Firewire, with more coming out all the time.
    Also, if this is going to be a real problem, is there a different type of camcorder I should look at buying
    Maybe, A USB camcorder.
    USB camcorders use formats that use high compression to store the video files thereby lowering quality. This may be good enough to give you "decent footage" if so, then you won't have a problem using a USB camcorder. However I have never been happy with the quality that a USB camcorder provides (they always look grainy to me).
    A Firewire miniDV tape cam will give you lossless quality video and is best for any editing purposes (iMovie, Final Cut etc.). So without Firewire make sure you get a chance to try out any USB camcorder before you buy.

  • Cameras that are compatible with MacBook

    I have the Aluminum MacBook, just upgraded from a Black model..
    Im looking to buy a cheapo camcorder to use with it...
    anyone know of a camera that takes decent footage and will connect to the macbook via USB?
    Mino Flip perhaps? Thanks.

    camera that takes decent footage
    That depends on what you mean by "decent footage".
    USB camcorders use formats that use high compression to store the video files thereby lowering quality. This may be good enough to give you "decent footage" if so, then you won't have a problem using a USB camcorder. However I have never been happy with the quality that a USB camcorder provides (they always look grainy to me).
    A miniDV tape cam will give you _lossless quality video_ and is best for any editing purposes (iMovie, Final Cut etc.). So without Firewire make sure you get a chance to try out any USB camcorder before you buy.
    Having a tape cam also allows you to always safely keep your original footage, plus make a tape copy of your finished movie by exporting from iMovie HD6 back to your cam. Tapes are far more reliable long term storage media, if stored properly, than any DVD or hard drive will ever be.

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