Importing video from 8mm video camera to iMac

Have you actually successfully imported analog 8mm video from a hybrid camcorder into iMovie '08?

Yes, from my Sony DCR-TVR520 -- also a Hi-8/Digital8 hybrid model. In fact, I just pulled it out and made a quick import test to ensure nothing has changed following the various iMovie and OS updates. It still works with both iMovie '06 and '08.

Any help here would be greatly appreciated. I'm a pretty happy Mac convert but this problem is quite annoying.

Can only repeat my work flow and hope it might work for you:
1) Attach AC power supply. (Some users have reported their movies only import when the camcorder is attached to the AC power supply.)
2) Ensure camcorder is set to "DV Out" option.
3) Connect FireWire cable between computer and camcorder.
4) Open the iMovie '08 application and turn on the camcorder in the VTR mode. (Some users report the camcorder must be turned on when the application is opened and others say iMovie '08 must be opened first. Mine works either way.)
5) I use my recorder in the "Manual" mode (i.e., "dumb" protocol mode), so when the "Import" window opens, I get a "blue" screen and have to manually start camcorder playback to get a picture to begin playing in the iMovie "Import" window.
6) At this point I fast forward or rewind to approximate point at which I wish to begin capture.
7) Again set the camcorder to play and press the "Import" button in the iMovie "Import" window to open the "Event" navigation window and enter your settings. (My camcorder pauses while I am doing this.)
8) When I accept the storage settings, capture begins and continues until I manually stop it. If breaks or dropped frames are detected, events are automatically broken into separate clips. (Note: I my case Events are named according to the date of import but the individual clips reflect the Date/Time stamp from when the content was shot.)
9) When done with your capture session, simply press the "Done" button to close the window.
This workflow seems to work with both the DCR-TVR520 and my HDR-HC3.

So do I just need a cable to connect camera and Mac, or is there some other bit of conversion kit I need? If just a cable any ideas where I can get one from (preferably UK)?

If your 8mm video camera is a "hybrid digital," then all you need do is connect the camera via firewire to your computer and allow the camera to "digitize" your analog content for capture by iMovie. If the video camera is not equipped with firewire or does not have the capacity to digitize analog tapes, then you will need to purchase a DAC (Digital Analog Converter) of some sort. A number of manufacturers market such devices in a number of price ranges. You can try the Canopus web site to see how price and features vary as they make a number of models for amateur, "prosumer", and professional use. This type of unit must be plugged in between your camera, video recorder, TV tuner, or other analog device and your computer and can convert analog RCA/S-Video + Audio signals to DV for capture by iMovie or other applications. If your camera no longer works, then some manufacturers (like Sony and Canopus) also market Video8/Hi8 8mm devices that combine a player transport and a DAC in a single device.

To convert video in 8 mm, Hi-8, VHS, or SVHS format for use in iMovie HD, you need a special converter with standard S-Video and RCA input/output ports for video and audio, and a FireWire (IEEE 1394) input/output port."

Take a look at the Canopus ADVC300.

It comes with a nice Macintosh program to improve the video.

http://www.canopus.com/products/ADVC300/index.php

Jon--

Have you actually successfully imported analog 8mm video from a hybrid camcorder into iMovie '08? I have a Sony TRV-330 which can play analog 8mm tapes but even through its FireWire port iMovie '08 will not import them. I've read on some video help forums that earlier versions of iMovie apparently worked.

I sure would like to know the fix for this unfortunate problem...many people have older 8mm tapes and would like to have them imported into their computer, and even if they have the proper camcorder it seems iMovie '08 will not cooperate. I've successfully imported analog tapes from this camcorder into my PC but now that I'm a Mac convert I'd like to refrain from using that method and do my importing to my Mac.

I've read such potential fixes as importing the first few seconds from a digital tape then replacing that tape with an analog 8mm tape to playing the analog tape through a camcorder connected to the hybrid camcorder to digitize that into iMovie. Haven't tried either yet and not sure they would work. Why can't iMovie just import any video coming into the FireWire port via a digital camcorder? There must be some data track or code missing from analog tapes that is embedded in Digital8 tapes.

Any help here would be greatly appreciated. I'm a pretty happy Mac convert but this problem is quite annoying.

Thanks very much for the quick and comprehensive response, Jon...I hope to get some time to test your advice this weekend...I'll let you know how it goes!

--Bill

Hi Jon--

Just tried your workflow...no luck. I'm still able to fully control my camcorder from the iMovie capture "blue screen" import window, but with my 8mm tapes it just doesn't want to import the video. I tried all possible combinations of DV Out and Hi8/8mm setting options in the camcorder menu.

I guess I'll have to try some of the more exotic methods, like starting with a Digital8 tape and stopping that import and replacing the tape with an 8mm. I'm not overly confident that'll work, but it's my last shot...

--Bill

I just got the Canopus ADVC-55 to bring in my Hi-8 movies and it works like a charm with iMovie08...

I have tried to import analog video using both my TRV740 and a TRV103. Both cameras have no problem exporting analog video to earlier versions of Imovie but neither works with Imovie 08. I have tried it on 2 different Macs (Intel Imac with Leopard and G5 powermac with Tiger.) I understand that apple is letting people with Ilife 08 download the previous version of Imovie but I can not find it.

Nabb

I understand that apple is letting people with Ilife 08 download the previous version of Imovie but I can not find it.

iMovie 06 is a free download to iLife 08 owners. (THEY WANT YOU TO HAVE IT!)

http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/imovieHD6.html

Jon--

I finally tried importing the 8mm tapes from my Sony TRV-330 into iMovie HD and it worked. Really seems strange to me why Apple would not make iMovie '08 backwards compatible with analog 8mm tapes imported using a digital camcorder.

Although I'm happy to have my video onto my MacBook now, it's a very time-consuming process that I'm not looking forward to on my 40+ more 8mm tapes. Unless you know of a better, more efficient workflow I ended up doing this:
- import the 8mm tapes into iMovie HD (2 hrs)
- save the iMovie HD project (2 hrs)
- import the iMovie HD project into iMovie '08 (2 hrs)

I'm wondering if I can skip the second step if the video is already on my hard drive, or does it need to be saved in iMovie HD format for iMovie '08 to be able to import the video at all?

Thanks very much and Happy Holidays!

--Bill

I finally tried importing the 8mm tapes from my Sony TRV-330 into iMovie HD and it worked. Really seems strange to me why Apple would not make iMovie '08 backwards compatible with analog 8mm tapes imported using a digital camcorder.

I doubt that Apple made the program less compatible with your camcorder on purpose. More like, in their effort to add compatibility with AVCHD, HDD, and DVD camcorders, something was changed which affects you and a number of other users. Given time, I expect they will locate the problem and fix it. The quest is, who long will it take. Be sure to post a feedback regarding your problem. They people who do this, the more likely they will take note and find a solution to this inconsistency between iMovie HD and iMovie '08.

I'm wondering if I can skip the second step if the video is already on my hard drive, or does it need to be saved in iMovie HD format for iMovie '08 to be able to import the video at all?

Well, I probably would have gone about it somewhat differently. If you don't plan to do any editing in iMovie HD, I would probably have tried VIDI (free) first. It is a dedicated DV "capture" utility of about the same vintage as your camcorder. It should allow you to import/store your DV files where you want in "plain sight" of the Finder rather than in iMovie HD's project package. It still imports in real time so no savings here.
Then you would have the option of using them in any editor or even making preliminary cuts of your files in either QT Pro, MPEG Streamclip, or any similar utility. The idea here is to discard everything you know you won't want and save time when it comes to generating "thumbnails" (which sometimes seems to take forever) in iMovie '08 when you actually move or copy the files into iMovie '08 which should take almost no time at all if the source files are on the same drive as your events folder and you use the "Move" rather than "Copy" option. (I.e., a "Move" action only requires updating the VTOC as to the files physical location via a changed path as opposed to a "Copy" which actually has to re-write the data to your hard drive. This can save a fair amount of time if done right. Unfortunately, there is no way to get around "thumbnail" generation.
Another possible tip would be to import a series of moderately sized files to iMovie '08 rather than a single, large one. This can save time in the event that an associated thumbnail file becomes corrupted and you have to force iMovie '08 to regenerate them at some later time. (I.e this seems to be a common problem for some users, but I have only experienced it once, myself, thankfully. ("Knock on wood.")
In any event, that is about all I can think of for now. Good Luck.

Jon, et al--

It appears Apple finally fixed the shortcoming in iMovie '08 with yesterday's posted 7.1.1 update...I just successfully imported some analog 8mm video from my Sony TRV-330 camcorder directly into iMovie '08 via the FireWire link. What a timesaver! No more mucking with iMovie HD to import then transferring to iMovie '08 to reap its benefits.

I'm glad I lost the eBay auction for a Canopus DV converter the other day!

--Bill

It appears Apple finally fixed the shortcoming in iMovie '08 with yesterday's posted 7.1.1 update...I just successfully imported some analog 8mm video from my Sony TRV-330 camcorder directly into iMovie '08 via the FireWire link.

All's well that ends well.

This may be an old-fashioned method to copy footage taken on older video cameras onto a mac computer, have you tried connecting your camera to a TV DVD recorder, recording the footage onto DVD, then placing the finalised DVD into the mac and copying into iMovie?

At least you then have a genuine 1st generation copy from tape to DVD.