Sony DCR-SR42 Handycam

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Level 1

5 points

Sony DCR-SR42 Handycam

I have just purchased a Sony DCR-SR42 Camcorder. I tried to upload my video to my iMac. I have what I believed to be uploaded the video footage to my movies folder on the hard drive of the computer. I am unable to open it in Quicktime (I get an error) and I am unable to transfer it to iMovie to edit, etc?

After checking some posts, I see the iMac is not compatible to Mpeg2 files. This is what my camcorder records its video in.

Is there anything I can do to make my video and camcorder compatible to my iMac and iMovie?

iMac Mac OS X (10.4.10)

Posted on Jul 2, 2007 10:33 AM

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Answer 1

Best reply

AeroQ

Level 2

210 points

Jul 2, 2007 10:45 AM in response to mekershner

Hi,

All you need to bridge the gap between your camcorder MPEG-2 and iMovie is Apple's MPEG-2 playback component ($20) and an MPEG capable video converter like SimpleMovieX or MPEG Streamclip.
(QuickTime Pro and most QuickTime based programs don't transcode MPEG-2 audio, so forget them).

Regards, BJ
(Note that I'm the author of SimpleMovieX).

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Answer 2

mekershner Author

Level 1

5 points

Jul 2, 2007 11:33 AM in response to AeroQ

Your info is very helpful. I went to the Apple on-line store and found QuickTime MPEG-2 Playback - Mac OS X. Is this what your are referring to when you say the Apple MPEG 2 playback. How do I go about getting SimpleMovieX or MPEG2 audio.

I also had this posted on the iMovie discussion board and got this response.

NO - Sony DCR-SR42 is a hard disk Camera. It's meant for rapid viewing NOT
for editing.

Best recommondation is Sorry to say it. Try to get it changed it will not deliver
in full digital quality with iMovie or FinalCut Express or Pro. Sorry

If this isn't possibly then there are only two options - both as bad.
1. Analog out from Camera to an analog/digital box like a Canopus ADVC-55,
Canopus ADVC-110 or Canopus ADVC-300.
2. By USB importing the mpeg-2 file and converting this to streamingDV that
iMovie or FCE/P accepts.

Both will work - but the result will be losy.

If You can change - select a miniDV (tape) Camera with a FireWire out
FW has more names like: Digital in/out - FireWire - IEEE 1394 - i.Link
all are the same.

FW in and out are Great as You can save full quality to a new tape.

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Answer 3

Ricktoronto

Level 6

11,560 points

Jul 3, 2007 1:05 PM in response to mekershner

MPEG Streamclip with the Apple component will do the job and make mediocre quality "pretend" DV from the source. If you can live without a lot of editing other than cutting and trimming use the source clips in Toast and set it not to reencode to make a DVD, or as pointed out get rid of the camera and get a DV tape camera which is the proper choice.

I have not used simplemovie X but if it costs money at all then don't bother and get MPEG Streamclip since it is free and very full featured.

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