Using a portable digital recorder with MAC

Question

my bad - I just bought a panasonic portable digital recorder (about $70).
I was assuming I could use it with my Mac OS X - I don't know why I assumed that, I just took it for granted that these recorders were like digital cameras, they would automatically work with any computer that had a USB input.
wrong! when I connect it to the Mac, the recorder lights up and says "PC," as it is supposed to, and then, when I go into "about this mac" in the system profiler, it finds something on the USB port -
but other than than that, I don't know how to access what's on the recorder - it doesn't mount on the desktop like a camera (I assumed it would).
Can anyone help? is there any software out there that can read this little recorder - it's the Panasonic RR-US395.
thanks!
w
powerMac G5 single processor   Mac OS X (10.4.1)  

Answer 1

What software came with ? I have used DVRs for years. The Olympus is what I currently use. Still using an older model though as I like the cradle type computer connection. All was fine until 10.4. I got it going on the MBP finally but gave up on the G4 as I don't boot it into 10.4 anymore and it does work fine in <3.9. It was a combination of timing on the install on the MBP. Plugged the unit in about 1/2 way through installation and had to have it connected and restarted before it actually worked. Random luck. It started asking me for a "key" number and no docs mentioned anything about this so I plugged the unit in and it continued to install. Installation would hang prior to this point if the device was plugged in first though.
Do any apps try to launch when connected? I would also check iTunes and GarageBand or any other video/audio apps that you may have to see if it's "recognized" and shows up there anywhere. Does iPhoto think a camera is connected? As by design that is/was Apple's goal with 10.4. Ultimate connectivity. Everything that connects to your machine these days is categorized by class or "family" of products. Specific products i.e. Panasonic RR-US395, are "children" This is supposed to simplify things for HW/SW manufacturers creating products that are compatible with the Mac and if they don't Mac should be able communicate with it anyway providing basic I/O functionality void of product specific features. Reading your post I realized I have not even seen a reference to DVRs as being a device "family" and I am wondering if this has something to do with it as the MBP required me to install DSS Player.
It is my contention that there is a serious issue with this I/O Kit (actually at the kernel level that the kit communicates with) and I am curious exactly what kind of "something" Profiler sees. A screen shot of the page w/ all the lists extended would be a great help.
There is a Dictation/Transposing SW available I have since lost it and don't remember the name. Will try to hunt it down again as it was very useful, I downloaded it used it a few times and it worked great. Found a couple others with it that were free as well. Worked with various different DVR's and formats MacUpdate maybe?
If there is no other way to connect it you can get a cable to go from the headphone jack on the DVR to the line in on the G5 record it w/ QT, GarageBand or the like.
If you still have 9 installed Simple text allows you to record sounds as well.
If you can return it Olympus does include Mac SW.
FWIW