Trying to import from a Canon ZR700 camcorder

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Level 1

5 points

Trying to import from a Canon ZR700 camcorder

i am having trouble importing recorded video from my camcorder (canon ZR700)... it recognizes my dv camera, a blue screen comes up, i click import, it says it is importing, but nothing... it never imports anything.

this is very frustrating. I am following the directions for a camcorder attached by firewire to a T. i even tried it with imovie 06 and it still won't work. 06 won't even recognize the camera longer than 2 seconds. the import button in 06 appears, but soon after i click it, it turns into record with isight.

ugh... so much for plug and play. this is not the first time 08 has let me down. it is ridiculous that i would even need to download an older version of a software... but that didnt work either!

someone help. apple patch your imovie bugs already!

2.2 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo MacBook Pro & 2.8 GHz Intel Core Duo iMac, Mac OS X (10.4.11), 1.8 GHz PowerPC G5 iMac

Posted on Jan 1, 2008 11:09 PM

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Answer 1

Jon Walker

Level 6

19,489 points

Jan 2, 2008 5:21 AM in response to beannyc

someone help.

Here's some "food for thought." The CNET/ZDNET reviews indicate video is compressed DV stored on mini-DV tape but in an AVI digital video format. Does anyone know if Apple import routines have ever supported such a combination?

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Answer 2

beannyc Author

Level 1

5 points

Jan 2, 2008 11:21 AM in response to Jon Walker

My brother-in-law is on a slightly older iMac uses the exact same camcorder and iMovie 06 with no problems whatsoever. As soon as he plugs it in, he can import on the first try... So I would say it is safe to say it is supported. Apple also used to sell this model in their Apple online store. They now sell the new model ZR800 & ZR 830.

The camera is both of ours and I finally wanted to put it to use, but it seems that on my newer iMac (aluminum), it won't work.

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Answer 3

Jon Walker

Level 6

19,489 points

Jan 2, 2008 1:26 PM in response to beannyc

My brother-in-law is on a slightly older iMac uses the exact same camcorder and iMovie 06 with no problems whatsoever... The camera is both of ours and I finally wanted to put it to use, but it seems that on my newer iMac (aluminum), it won't work.

An interesting problem and one for which I really have no answer. However, if it were happening to me, would likely try the usual repairing of permissions, system/software checks, conflict checks, make an "in-depth" comparison between your system and that of your brother-in-law, and/or possibly set up a secondary user account (or start-up volume with just the OS and iLife '08 installed) to see if it had the same problem. There has to be a logical explanation somewhere in there. In any case, best of luck. I suspect many users here would be interested to learn if you come up with anything.

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Answer 4

beannyc Author

Level 1

5 points

Jan 2, 2008 6:11 PM in response to Jon Walker

Thanks. I am going to try out some of the things you mentioned and will post up my progress! Watch this space...

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Answer 5

Jan 2, 2008 6:16 PM in response to beannyc

Try this...
On the import screen, do you have a switch that says Auto/Manual. Make sure it is set to Manual.

You will want to control the tape from the camcorder. (Play, FF, Rew, Pause.)
When the tape is playing, and you can see it in iMovie, you should hit record in iMovie when it reaches your desired start point.

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Answer 6

beannyc Author

Level 1

5 points

Jan 3, 2008 12:26 PM in response to AppleMan1958

hi there,

i actually was using manual! i only wanted a small portion of the tape. and get this, the screen where i should see it playing in imovie, remains blue throughout the whole time.

last night i didnt get a chance to try jon's suggestions. maybe i'll be able to do it tonight though.

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Answer 7

Jan 11, 2008 11:30 AM in response to beannyc

I'm having the exact same problem with the exact same camera. Blue screen, says its importing and it grabs nothing. Manual import doesn't work either.

Apple is becoming more like Microsoft everyday. How dare they send out buggy software like this and then tout it as if its some sort of feature. Then loyal customers like me take them at their word and get burned.

Release a patch Apple!

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Answer 8

Jan 15, 2008 4:35 AM in response to Feliatrix

Bump

Anybody have any ideas?

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Answer 9

beannyc Author

Level 1

5 points

Jan 17, 2008 4:49 PM in response to Jon Walker

so far, i tried repairing the permissions and a software update, but it still doesnt work. havent done an in-depth comparison yet. and have tried it with two different users on the same mac. will check back after i have tried more things. this is VERY frustrating.

aside from this sometimes my laptop says its recording with isight, but when i hit done, nothing was recorded. between the two i am royally irked.

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Answer 10

beannyc Author

Level 1

5 points

Jan 17, 2008 4:50 PM in response to Feliatrix

have you had any luck???

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Answer 11

EFH, Jr

Level 1

10 points

Jan 17, 2008 5:26 PM in response to beannyc

I had the same problem with the Canon Optura 20. It worked fine with iMovie 06 on my iMac and IBook (both G4s) then it has not worked on my MacBook Pro with iMovie 08 running Leopard. I took the camcorder and MacBook Pro into Genius bar and she basically said there is a problem with iMovie 08. I guess we will have to wait for the patch. I wish I had better news

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Answer 12

Jan 17, 2008 8:29 PM in response to beannyc

I'm having the exact same problem with my SONY miniDV camera.
It works beautifully with my older G3 iBook and iMovie 3.0.3,
however, it does not work with iMovie 08 and my new iMac Intel core 2 Duo.

could it be that intel chip? or iMovie '08?

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Answer 13

Jan 18, 2008 5:28 AM in response to macuserinhudson

Hello:

You probably don't want to hear this but I just bought a ZR700 last week, refurbished from Henry's Camera in Toronto, to use with iMovie '08. My old SONY wouldn't import to anything, not just iMovie, I think it was the Firewire port.

Anyway, as far as IMPORTING goes, I have no issues at all and am very happy with how it is working. I am using OS X 10.4.11 with iMovie 7.1.1 (529) and the ZR700. If you want/need any more tech. details just let me know. I wish I could help more, but perhaps at least knowing that it can/should work will be some encouragement.

I am new (3 months) to Mac's and so far LOVE everything except with this huge quantity of recently imported video I am having issues editing with iMovie. I can't get rid of all the "rejected" clips. I am just starting to dig around these forums to try and find some answers.

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Answer 14

beannyc Author

Level 1

5 points

Jan 18, 2008 11:43 AM in response to macuserinhudson

i dont think it has anything to do with it being intel bcuz my b-i-l has an intel (white imac) no problemo. he is using imovie 06. i have the aluminum imac also intel and have tried both imovie 08 and 06.... and she no work.

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Answer 15

Jan 18, 2008 12:00 PM in response to beannyc

I work at a school that has a bunch of the cameras you mentioned and we are almost exclusively Mac. I don't guess we will be switching to the new iMovie until they work the bugs out.

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