Hi8 Camcorder + iMovie = Nightmare..?

Question

Hi8 Camcorder + iMovie = Nightmare..?

Well this is getting to seem impossible. I couldn't figure out the latest iMovie so I downloaded iMovie HD and like it much better. I try to edit videos with my camcorder and when I plug it in, nothing happens on iMovie HD. I have a *Samsung SCL906 Hi8 Camcorder* with a *USB 1.1 to mini 4-pin* plugged into my Mac and my camcorder is on the correct mode (player). According to the video tutorials, iMovie HD is supposed to automatically detect my camcorder, but nothing happens. When I plug my camcorder in, it does not even show up on the running apps list, with Macintosh HD and other apps.

Can anyone help? I've been impressed with Apple until I started trying to edit videos, this is getting very frustrating.

Message was edited by: alecjohnson16

After doing some research, all I can find is that I need Canopus, but wow, that is $200, and I doubt Apple would require that for a 3 year old camcorder.

Message was edited by: alecjohnson16

imac, Mac OS X (10.5.2)

Posted on May 18, 2008 5:29 PM

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Answer 1

May 18, 2008 5:45 PM in response to alecjohnson16

And it is going to get worse I'm afraid. You have a Hi8 camcorder. This is an analog camcorder, NOT a digital camcorder. Since it's an analog camcorder, it won't be recognized by any computer )Mac or PC) in regards to video capture. You will need some sort of device between your camcorder and the computer to convert the analog video to digital video. I Googled that and came up with this:

http://www.firewire-1394.com/pyro-av-link-basic.htm

But I couldn't tell you how will it works, but you get the idea. Another option would be to just get a new digital camcorder (one with Firewire/iLink) with "pass-thru" capabilities, hooking you old camcorder up to the new one, the new one into the computer, acting as the converter.

Mike

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Answer 2

May 18, 2008 5:48 PM in response to Mike Bisom1

Thanks, Apple is ticking me off right now, and yes, I could edit videos with Windows Movie Maker.

Message was edited by: alecjohnson16

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Answer 3

May 18, 2008 6:32 PM in response to alecjohnson16

The only way you could edit movies from this camcorder with Windows Movie Maker is if your PC had a digital to analog converter built in (or added). A computer simply can't edit non-digital material.

Mike

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Answer 4

May 18, 2008 7:59 PM in response to Mike Bisom1

Maybe it had one built in, because I have multiple videos from my hi8 camcorder in WMV format that I edited.

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