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Sony Camcorder

How can I download my movies from a Sony camcorder on to my new mac? Sony have 'helpfully' informed me that their software isn't compatible. Apple says that someone out there may have the answer.

imac7.1, Mac OS X (10.0.x)

Posted on Nov 10, 2007 11:53 AM

Reply
37 replies

Dec 23, 2007 6:24 PM in response to rcancill

I have a similar problem. I recently purchased a new imac and have tried to connecting an old Sony TRV-310 camcorder using a 6/4 firewire cable. I keep expecting the imovie import window to open and say something but nothing happens. Not sure if it's just too old to play this game or I got a cheap firewire cable. In either case, I have a closet full of video tapes that I can't transfer to my mac.

Dec 23, 2007 9:36 PM in response to metpol

I have a similar problem with my Sony Handycam. The guys at the Apple store advised me to buy a pricey DVD-RW external drive; while I can now copy my camcorder discs to full-size DVDs, I still cannot use those files on my computer. Thus, I am still unable to use iMovie and iDVD.

Any tips? Is it possible to rename those video/audio files? I'm really disappointed that I have no way to utilize these cool editing applications. Defeats some of the reasons for choosing a Mac....

Dec 23, 2007 9:41 PM in response to metpol

I tried this with a newer dcr-280 NTSC camcorder and it would not work. It was recognized but was recording in 1second increments and locked up Imovie08!!!! I had to delete the files to finish up. I got my old one to work it DCR- trv330 and it is working great no problems and no set up. using 4pin fire wire to 6pin.
Good luck

Dec 25, 2007 6:32 AM in response to macereio

i just got a sony camcorder and haven't tried to upload videos to mac yet, but i have been researching in the mean time. check out some of these sites for possible solutions:

software that may be compatible - http://www.pixela.co.jp/oem/sony/e/captympeg_editex/index.html

sony website - http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/model-news.pl?mdl=DCRSR82#

saw this on sony site - http://www.stuffit.com/mac/expander/

from apple site - http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=42996

still images from camcorder - http://www.iq.sony.com/SRVS/CGI-BIN/WEBCGI.EXE/,/?St=67,E=0000000000764186069,K= 8797,Sxi=0,Case=obj(501692),VARSET OBJ=501692,VARSET_TSRC=results,UseTemplate=case.tem,VARSETTOP=TRUE


hope something here helps out....MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

Dec 25, 2007 8:02 AM in response to metpol

I use a very old Sony HandyCam- analog in fact. Using 8mm, (not even Hi8) for all iMovie work. Done extensive work using both digital and analog video and merging the two. May be useful when converting different video sources and camcorders.

Perhaps this solution may work...now that Sony and Apple don't play together anymore. I use a DataVideo analog to digital converter. It is also about 6 years old now. It has a digital to digital option. I would guess that newer models are more sophisticated. The converter is not expensive- about $100. Works on all analog to digital stuff...VHS, and even cassette audio tapes. Uses standard audio/video mini plugs, and firewire connected to the mac. I started using this with iMovie 2, and a sawtooth G4. Now works like a charm in my first generation iMac G5 and iMovie 6. (also works great with G4 Mini and G3 Powerbook). I just got iMovie 8, and not yet installed it. I expect it to work flawlessly there as well.

Sony Camcorder

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