Sony Camcorder

Any ideas on how to make this whole process easier?

I would likely add one or more VOBs to the MPEG Streamclip work window and fix the timecode breaks. Then I would scrub through the collection of files looking for the segments I want for iMovie '08. When I find something I want, I'd set "in" and "out" points and convert the segment directly to a compatible iMovie '08 compression format and save it with a "descriptive" name to a common folder. When finished, I would simply import this "keeper" folder to iMovie. In this way I'd only convert the content I really want which saves both conversion time and hard drive space. Alternatively, you could segment the VOBs saving the segments as a series of VOBs and later batch process all of the conversions automatically in the MPEG Streamclip "Batch List."

My TRV840 is loaned out right now, so I can't walk you thru the steps, but I'll give some hints. It will capture but a flakey Firewire cable can be the culprit or you might have to connect and power up the camcorder before starting iMovie '08. (You aren't trying to capture with the USB cable are you?) Also try it with iMovie HD. I've used the 840 with iMovie HD and Final Cut Express and it does great -- better than going thru an A/D converter. You may also need to start/stop the tape with the camcorder's controls rather than on-screen controls. Good luck.

There are no Sony drivers required to capture on the Mac.

since u are able to get your movies into your computer, all u have to do is convert them to either dv, dvd or mov. These formats work with imovie. A free program is Burn. It is primarily a burning program but it may also be used as a converter from whatever format to mp3(audio) and mp4(dvd) for movies and vcd too. after u download it, open Burn, and choose the dvd tab (as if u want to make a dvd cd) then drag and drop the movie u want to convert into burn. Whatever the format of that movie, it will be converted to mp4((dvd) format. After the conversion is done, quit burn and go the destination folder where the converted movie is and that's the movie that will work with imovie. Remember that to import into imovie, you go to file, import movies. U dont drag and drop movies into imovie 08 to import them. The other app i use is Visualhub. This is a total converter app. This is not free though but its worth it.

Please execuse me if this has been answered elsewhere but I think I have a slightly different problem with using my Sony Handycam (dcr-dvd406 pal) and imovie (6.0.3).

I can't get my films onto imovie, this is a summary of the problem and what i've tried.....

Using the USB cable and with the camera in 'USBcomputer' mode nothing happens and the finder does not recognize the HC

Using the USB cable and the camera in 'DISCcomputer' mode the imac automatically wants to playback the movie using the dvd player but it imovie nor the finder recognize the HC

I have no wirewire cable and unless it goes into the same port as the USB cable I don't think I can use one with this camcorder.

So, I tried another idea, download the movie onto my pc laptop and then transfer the files to my mac and try and use them. The files are shown on my mac as 'mpeg movie' (I'm not sure if this is mpeg4, my laptop says mpeg movie also?) and do not work with imovie nor with QT, I get an error message on imovie saying 'quicktime couldn't parse it: -2048' and with QT it just says its 'not a movie file'.

So I have two questions;

1. Is there any way of getting a direct download from my HC to imovie? (nirvana!)
2. How do I change the file type? what file do I currently have and what programme do I use to change them? (bearable until I come to replace my HC and I don't back to a Sony!!!!)

Many many thanks in advance

FireWire compatible? If so, plug and play. If not..

I would guess it has a USB port, so hook it up to your Mac so it mounts as a disk.

MPEG Streamclip, available lurking around the Apple site somewhere actually, is your best ( free) bet for dealing with your videos. To get around the formatting issues, make sure you purchase the MPEG-2 option for Quicktime - it's about $20. Streamclip will read either the DVD or a VIDEO_TS file when copied and create readable stuff; I prefer to copy mine to the hard drive first, which won't be a problem with home movies.

Dont install the program that came with the camera (if u did, delete it) Just plug in the usb and open i-movie. Turn on your camcorder - on the camera screen, you should see something like e-computer?? press that. Then, all the clips should populate the i-movie screen. You highlight the clips you want and hit export?? (I think) I dont have my camera handy, so I can't tell you exactly what the prompt will say. But, for me, its just like loading images to i-photo. So, how do you like the cam?? I hate my. Focusing is awful.. when I move, it takes too long to focus... Good luck

Datavideo no longer makes the DAC100 and DAC200. Looks like they only have high end converters now. You can use and EyeTV Hybrid to connect and digitize VHS tapes or other composite video sources if you have a USB 2 port.