Can I use a Sony handycam DCR-SR60E on a mac?

Let me try...

On the Sony site I found a DCR-SR60 and not a DCR-SR60E, but probably this is not an issue.
Then, I don't think iLife 08 and Intel processors are a requirement.

Based on other posts and specifically on my own experience in using MPEG Streamclip I suggest you to:
o- connect using USB: I don't think USB 1 vs. 2 should make a difference other then for speed; but this I really don't know;
o- copy the MPEG2 files from the camera to the finder;
o- open MPEG Streamclip (free), but if you don't have FCP you must first buy the 20$ Quicktime MPEG2 component from Apple;
o- from MPEG Streamclip Open the file(s) you copied from the camera;
o- then, if you want to edit with iMovie ( any version) *Export to DV*, and make sure you choose the correct codecs (DV-PAL vs. DV-NTSC)
o- if instead you want to use FCP/FCE, Export to QuickTime (cmd-E - NOT Export to DV!) with Compression: Apple DV-PAL (or Apple DV-DVCPRO/NTSC), Quality: 100%, fps: 25 for PAL or 29,97 for NTSC, Audio: uncompressed, Stereo, 48 KHz.

In either case you'll get a movie file that can be easily imported to the editing application.

Piero

Hi Ian,

welcome to video forum,

IF you can, why not return the camcorder and get the one with firewire/ieee1394/iLink interface (most if not all mini DV camera has that).

If you cannot return that one, try mpegstreamclip:
http://www.squared5.com/

I honestly never use that but some user did, but I think you can pull the video file from your camcorder, open it with mpeg streamclip, and save it into iMovie or quick time friendly file extension.

Good Luck.

ps: hopefully more experienced mpeg streamclip user will post their tips out.

In addition to my own post, other user (capz) enlighten me with the info that now iLife '08 support standard and high definition video, as well as the most popular formats, including DV, HDV, MPEG-2, MPEG-4 and even AVCHD.

And AVCHD is ussually the format from dvd or HD camcorder.

So you might want to give iLife '08 a shoot.

Good Luck.

I purchased a Sony Handycam Camcorder (DCR-SR82) and have a MacBook. I had recorded several videos and was anxious to transfer them on to my computer and then burn DVDs. I opened the camera box to find that the software provided with the Sony Handycam is for PCs only---there is no Mac installation disk. So, I began doing research and with some major help from a Mac genius, was able to get it all ironed out. My mission is to spread the word so that no one feels the need to return their Sony Handycam just because they are Mac owners! The first step is to make sure that the processor on your Mac is Intel, as I believe that is one of the requirements for all of this to work. Second is to buy iLife '08, which is around $80. Next, you can import your videos into iMovie without any difficulty and enjoy all of the editing features that iMovie provides. Once you have imported your movies, you can open iDVD and burn DVDs without difficulty. If you have an external DVD burner, which I do, you need to download one program which is free and is called Patchburn. This program will enable iDVD to recognize an external DVD burner. Then, you are all set to enjoy your Sony Handycam + all of the joy of editing movies with your Mac. Have fun!

I have a Sony DCR-SR80 and FCP. Can you tell me what settings I need to use when exporting out of MPEG Streamclip? I tried the ones you had listed but I still have to render the clips in FCP again? Is it my sequence setting maybe? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Gilbert

I have been using iLife 08 since it was released to import "AVCHD" video . It works like a treat but there is no option to burn High definition (AVCHD) disc.