Sony Camcorder

In response to Fish...I use a Datavideo DAC 200 http://www.datavideo.us/fs/products/dvformat_convertersfs.htm

This is the lowest end converter they have. Not expensive, but works very very well. Also allows you to use an analog camcorder as a firewire webcam! Convert all your analog to digital- very simple to use. I hope it helps you!

Thank you Relayer10. I guess I'm a bit disappointed at this point. I've waited and saved my pennies for years to get a Mac. And now I discover that I can't transfer my videos with the simplicity that is so common to apple computers. I sure would appreciate it if someone would post a link to apple supported camcorders.

I think the issue is with Sony. Almost every camera or camcorder I've ever connected to any of my macs worked perfectly. Sony and Apple co-developed Firewire (iLink) several years ago. In recent times, it seems that Sony goes out of it's way to be incompatible with Apple. My guess it has something to do with iPod, which has revolutionized recording and portable music- something that Sony (Walkman) made popular. Kind of silly....like a certain computer company that refused to make computers that would run any other software but their own. Took years, but that computer company learned, and has now begun to soar again!

DB

I've just been given a Sony DCRDVD109E for Christmas. From my research so far, the DVD format compression MPEG2(?) possibly makes it incompatible for importing then editing etc into imovie. Can anyone tell me if this is true? I plan to shot and then download and do all editing in imovie so it's crucial. Also, quality of actual film is important so is DV (uncompressed) the best option or is the difference fairly negligable? Thanks!!!

If you are wanting to stick with iMovie 06, then your DVD cam will not work. I don't know if 08 will work with it, but the main point is, DVD cams are not meant to produce editable video. They are built for the strictly point, shoot and playback crowd that needs instant gratification or are able to shoot and produce great movies with no editing. You can get more software that will allow you to convert the MPEG2 to DV, but, yes, you will lose quality. Whether or not it will be noticeable may depend more on the quality of the camera optics/CCD to begin with. Your best bet, if possible, is to ask the gifter if you could return the cam for something more suited to your software. That would be a miniDV cam with Firewire.

Here is a list of camcorders supported by iMovie '08:

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=306171#2

Also check out my post for how to make Sony DVD Handycams work with iMovie:

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1308662

Could anyone offer advice as to how to edit movies that were recorded on Sony DCR- DVD 203? No firewire on camera. I've got numerous dvd's recorded on this equipment that I highly value. This camera is not listed as supported by iMovie.

Could anyone offer advice as to how to edit movies that were recorded on Sony DCR- DVD 203? No firewire on camera.

Don't own one but review indicates there is a USB port on the main body behind the LCD screen. If you have the cable, I would suggest you connect it to your computer and see if if the camcorder is recognized by the finder. If so, simply copy your non-zero VOB files or sets to your hard drive. Once on your hard drive, they can be converted the "old fashioned" way. Depending on whether or not you want to invest in software or have a preferred compression format for import to iMovie '08, there are a number of options open to you. These range from the easy to use iSquint (free) which only allows you to export as MPEG-4/AAC or H.264/AAC to Visual Hub (pay-ware) or MPEG Streamclip (free) w/QT MPEG-2 Playback component ($20) which allow you to export in several audio/video compression formats which are compatible with iMovie '08.

Thanks for the quick response. My fault for not mentioning that I currently own iMovie 6.0.2. When I connect the camera via the usb it does not automatically recognize the camera. When I load a dvd into it...the DVD player on the desktop starts up and I can view the movie. I'd be glad to purchase iMovie 08 if that would help solve the problem. Thanks again. This has been an aggravating situation for many months...any further assistance would be greatly appreciated.

When I connect the camera via the usb it does not automatically recognize the camera. When I load a dvd into it...the DVD player on the desktop starts up and I can view the movie.

iMovie '06 is incompatible with USB captures. iMovie '08 may or may not work. Since the DVD Player opens and you can play the DVD from the camcorder, the Finder is recognizing the camcorder as an optical drive. If you simply close the DVD Player and open the DVD icon, you will likely find a VIDEO_TS folder (or its equivalent) that containe BUP, IFO, and VOB (or quivalent) files. The VOB files contain the "muxed" audio/video data you need. These are the files that can be converted (to DV in this case for iMovie '06) and imported for your project as described above.

Thanks again for the response. I do see the VIDEO TS folder. However, I'm sorry but I don't understand the process. Am I am supposed to get the conversion software loaded onto my destop; then copy the VOB files on to my desktop; then do the conversion process from VOB to DV? If so...how do I get the VOB files copied onto my desktop? Do you recommend any particular software to do the conversion? I appreciate your patience.

I'm sorry but I don't understand the process.

1) Copy the VOBs to your hard Drive
2) Open/drag VOB(s) to the conversion application
3) Select a target compression format and/or settings
4) Convert the file
5) Import the resulting file to iMovie
DV files are compatible with any version of iMovie. (Generally high quality but very large files.) iMovie '06 and '08 will also accept MPEG4/AAC files. (Smaller files with potential for some loss in quality.) The quickest and cheapest way to go would be to download iSquint (free). (Suggest you try this first.) This utility will convert your VOBs to MPEG-4/AAC in its default opening mode. Simply drop your files to the "Batch" window area and press the "OK" button. The application will automatically convert the files and save the new file to the same hard drive area as the source (unless you change the default).

Eureka! Your plan worked and I sincerely appreciate it. Now all I have to do is learn how to use the iMovie software!The quality obviously has diminished quite a bit, so I'm considering getting different software that will convert to DV format based on your commentary above. Any thoughts?

Any thoughts?

My personal preference is MPEG Streamclip (free) plus the QT MPEG-2 Playback component ($20), but it is not the only application that will provide a higher level of quality for your intermediate files. In fact, given a high enough data rate, even the H.264/AAC compression format (normally used for better quality at low data rates) provides near original SD Quality in the 10.0-20.0 Mbps range (and good to very good HD quality at the same rates). The advanced setting in iSquint will allow you to test this if you wish and have the space on your hard drive. Again, it is a trade off between storage requirements and quality here. Once you find a level that meets your particular needs, then you can start comparing applications and assess their various relative benefits.

Thanks again for the tip...I think I will try one of them. Storage, I don't believe, will be an issue as I anticipate editing the movies, then burning a copy to a full size DVD, then deleting the files off of the hard drive.
WIth respect to the actual editing process the way I'm doing it: After I convert the files to mpeg, I then drag it into a clip frame in iMovie. I then have to view the footage from that location. I then have to "crop" the desired footage out of the original file, copy it, then place it in another clip frame, then restore the original and start the process all over again.Needless to say, these extra steps make the process painfully slow. Any ideas on how to make this whole process easier?
Again, many thanks for all of your help.