Sony HDR-SR5: Can't import video from camera

Yes, when downloading files onto Vista I use the Sony supplied software....so I guess it downloads in its format.

So am I right in guessing that the time that it is taking is a result of the conversion into the AIC format.

I wish apple had highlighted this potential problem on their site...as there was no mention.

Very frustrating when the old tape camcorder I have is easier to use the combination of the latest that the two biggest Brands (Apple & Sony) have to offer 😟

Are there any tips on how this conversation can be speed up or avoided?

no, that's the thing, I removed the sd files

So you are sure you don't have any mpg files in the root folder on the camera, then I'm out of suggestions then, I can only confirm my SR8 (which is essentially the same camera as yours), does indeed work with im08.

I wish apple had highlighted this potential problem on their site...as there was no mention.

I'm not sure why you see this as a problem

Very frustrating when the old tape camcorder I have is easier to use the combination of the latest that the two biggest Brands (Apple & Sony) have to offer

Your old tape camera is then likely miniDV which doesn't need converting. You can't move up to HD and not expect to have to convert files, neither the cameras nor the computers yet have the capability to deal with HD in a more or less uncompressed format like DV.

The time it takes imovie to import the movie depends very much on your hardware, while a 3 minute movie takes you 8 minutes to import, it takes me little over 1 minute, such a potential import advantage such as this and being able to import any clip at all without rewinding or fast forwarding is not possible on tape based devices.

Are there any tips on how this conversation can be speed up or avoided?

Not if you want to do anything at all with the files, you can import them to the finder in just the same way as with your sony software if you want but you will not be able to play or edit them because you don't have the sony software. You are aware that even on your PC you will be lucky if the files play properly and beyond a few very basic cuts etc, you cannot do any editing because thes files are not editable, it's not just a sony or a mac thing, that's HD.

Thanks for your comments....the reason I have a problem is that when considering my recent purchase of my Apple MacBook Pro (Intel) I was sold on the fact that Apple positioned its products as Multi Media superior to PC equipment.
I had heavily relied on its in store advice and information contained on its website when making my decision. When you consider that it’s marketing collateral for iPhoto and iFilm again position its products as being aimed at beginners that are able to work with the latest technologies it is hard but not to be disappointed.

DO NOT FEAR! MACs still rule the planet. So I brought it in to the Apple Store, to the Genius Bar. Seriously first try, it worked, almost immediately. The funny thing is, I've been doing the same thing the whole time. The only thing that was different was the USB cable. Then, I went home to try it myself. No luck. I tried the EXACT same thing 8 times, and nothing. I got so frustrated, that I just left. Low and behold, as soon as I came back to my computer, imovie recognized the camera, and allowed me to upload. KEY: The larger your film is, (more GB), the longer it will take for imovie to see it. When in in doubt, take it to a store, and they'll hook it up. Just wait, and it will all work out.

it is pretty quick for me. no issues. i am on intel 2.1ghz with 2gb ram

I have had similar issues with my HDR SR5. Here is what I did to make it work with my new iMac (requires Intel Core Duo chip):

* Connect camera to computer with USB cable

* Turn Camera on - it should recognize the computer connection and go into Camera - Computer screen on the display.

* Here is where I made the mistake - it gives you two options for Computer. One (upper left on my display screen) just shows a circular computer - select this one! The other one on the upper right shows an arrow with the computer - this one does not work for me! When I selected this (assuming it meant "export" or something like that ) it never mounted the disk.

* The result of selecting the computer icon (again, the one on the upper left in the view screen) is that it mounts a disk called "NO NAME" on your desktop.

* Launch iMovie '08. I don't know if it really matters if this is already launched or not. It seems to work for me either way.

* Then make your selections in the import screen - it should find the camera and movie clips (at least mine does - could this be a preference setting?).

Hope that helps.
ELM

Message was edited by: ELM

Exactly! Same for me with a new iMac and Sony HDR-SR5 camera!

If all else fails, change the Video Standard from "NTSC - 30 fps" to "PAL - 25 fps" (or vice versa) in iMovie > Preferences, close iMovie, re-open it and try 'Import from camera' again.

I had similar problems with iMovie not recognizing the my HDR-SR5E camera when attached with a USB cable. As a last resort (just before throwing my camera and iMac out of the window) I changed the video setting to NTSC (even though I know my camera is a PAL camera, or so the manual tells me anyway). After re-opening iMovie, the import window opened automatically and I could import my AVCHD movies without a problem.