How to import video from Sony HDR-SR5 into iMovie '06, '08, or Final Cut?

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How to import video from Sony HDR-SR5 into iMovie '06, '08, or Final Cut?

When I connect the HDR-SR5, it shows up on the MacBookPro as another drive as follows:
► AVCHD
►BDMV
►AVG_INFO
► AVIN0001.BNP
► AVIN0001.INP
► AVIN0001.INT
►DCIM
►101MSDCF
MODELCFG.IND
►MP ROOT
►101PNV0D1 In this dir there are quicktime files but no sound.

I currently have the video set to record at SP, so I guess I can understand that there are no files under the AVCHD, but where do I find the fils that I record with sound? Thanks in advance! Needing help!

PC and PowerBook, Mac OS X (10.5.1), Sony HDR-SR5

Posted on Nov 26, 2007 8:11 PM

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Answer 1

kupua Author

Level 1

5 points

Nov 27, 2007 6:31 AM in response to kupua

Well, I found the answer via the forums, thanks iPhonejunky and others that have posted... This vid-cam is very similar to the HDR-SR7, so it will work on many other Sony cams as well. Still searching for iMove'06 solution or Final Cut 6, when and if I find them, I'll post them here.

I successfully used this sequence. Follow the steps in this order:

Quit all your applications

Launch iMovie 08

Connect a USB cable from the camcorder to your Mac

Turn your camcorder ON

From the camcorder, select the first COMPUTER or PC option.

Wait about 20 SECONDS for the camcorder to mount and to be detected by iMovie 08

Generally the Imovie 08 "IMPORT WINDOW" will open.

From the Import Window, I usually select the "MANUAL" import option

Once there the rest is easy.

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Answer 2

Nov 28, 2007 9:12 AM in response to kupua

Does anyone know if these steps will work with iMovie HD or should I upgrade iMovie first before trying to import (and hopefully convert to a recognizable file format!) from a Sony video camera?
Signed,
novice at this movie editing stuff but just trying to help a friend
p.s. already tried the Drop2DV-NTSC application someone recommended - didn't work though - "unknown file format"

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Answer 3

kupua Author

Level 1

5 points

Nov 28, 2007 10:40 AM in response to lisa.landay

I just went to the apple store and talked with a Genius and with regard to iMovie, you have to import via iMovie '08. '06 is not capable of hard disk import. So just import into '08 and then look in your movies folder, that's where you should find the files. You can at that point go back to '06 and do all your editing. enjoy!

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Answer 4

Dec 12, 2007 1:31 PM in response to kupua

Thanks but, I received some helpful advice from another posting regarding the use of the program DVDXDV. This worked beautifully and interfaces with iMovie HD just fine. It imported from the Sony DVD without having to connect the camcorder directly using a USB (which is handy because we didn't have one available), I then exported into iMovie after conversion and - voila! - no problems!

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