my camera isn't working!

31soccer, Welcome to the greatest Discussion group on the planet! We'll get you going... Just need a bit more info here...

how are you connecting to computer? what software? Is the device showing up in profiler? Have you captured video from this device before?

Message was edited by: fiaafnr

My guess is that you are NOT using the latest version of imovie. ver 6.0x won't accept usb connections, only firewire AFAIK.

Can you provide the exact model of the camera?

Al

typically, USB is reserved for pictures. There should be a firewire port (1394, JVC calls them a DV cable, but it's a firewire cable) on your camcorder. this is how you transfer your video. Try that.

if your device is just a camera that you took video on, use the USB interface to transfer it to your computer the same way you capture stills (say iPhoto).

imovie (or any other like FCP) capture method is for camcorder DV streams and not camera videos.

Message was edited by: fiaafnr

I have similar issue. I have JVC GR-DVM75 Mini-DV camcorder which I have connected using the described sequence to my Mac Mini (Intel based) via 6pin 4pin firewire connection, and using iMovie 08. iMovie 08 does not recognize it and i cannot import video.

I then took the Mini-DV tape from the JVC camera and placed it in a Sony Handycam Mini-DV with same firewire connection. It did not recognize the Sony camcorder either. I know the firewire works because i tested it on a PC. I am thinking it may be a problem with my Mac Mini firewire port? Not sure where else to turn?
thanks for any help.

Are any of the devices recognized in System Profiler? Click apple-about this mac-more info (or apps-utilities-system profiler). under Firewire you should see the device. This display is not real-time, so you might have to View-Refresh.

If not recognized there, two things - make sure you have latest driver/firmware for camcorder and latest MAC SW.

If all else fails, it's time to suspect the mac firewire port. Try any other fw device on mac and use system profiler to see if the device is present.

Ok, i did as you recommended via About Mac and it did recognize the JVC Camcorder via the firewire with the following response:

GR-DVM75U:
Manufacturer: JVC
Model: 0x1001B
GUID: 0x80880100D82FEE
Maximum Speed: Up to 100 Mb/sec
Connection Speed: Unknown
Sub-units:
GR-DVM75U Unit:
Unit Software Version: 0x10001
Unit Spec ID: 0xA02D

So it appears the firewire port on the Mac Mini is working,
But iMovie 8 still doesn't recognize the JVC Camcorder. I have not been able to find drivers for the JVC Camcorder if there are any for firewire video download support. Other thoughts?

That's good news... Here are a couple things you might try:

1) Make sure camcorder is in VTR (playback) mode.
2) Using imovie8, try all combos of camera on, then launch imovie; camera off, launch, on; etc, sometimes my FCP has issues and I have to do this.
3) Check for imovie8 and/or apple updates (apple sw update, or there may be within imovie, update)
4) Consider trying iMovie6 HD - See if you qualify/meet requirements for [_imovie HD 6_|http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/imovieHD6.html]. More powerful than imovie8, but less user-friendly/easy. You can have both installed no problems.
5) Contact JVC tech support, or maybe the software that came with the JVC can be used on a mac or have a mac version to download ???

I hope one of these works for you. I feel your pain. Been there. Good Luck! : )

I am having the same problem as the other guys. I just got my computer last week and I am "newbie" to Mac. I have tried turning my mac off and on, restarting Imovie '08 and using Imovie HD. I have checked and the camera is showing up under USB port devices in the "About This Mac" part of the computer. I am using a Panasonic VDR-M30 "Handycam". I added all of the necessary updates last week when I got the computer and I just can't believe that it is something dysfunctional in my computer by my own dysfunction in my head.
I also tried another camera, a Samsung SC-D353 with two different USB cables and that one didn't work either.

Would greatly appreciate any other help!

From what I read, the VDR-M30 USB interface can only be used with Windows computers??? (VDRM30 manual, pg 74,134). For this camera, suggest calling Panasonic or checking their site for MAC version software???

I can't find your samsung anywhere - is the model right?