Why can't I import using MiniDV camcorder and save to FW 800 ext. drive?

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Why can't I import using MiniDV camcorder and save to FW 800 ext. drive?

Hello I use my Canon ZR65MC MiniDV camcorder firewire 400 connection to import/export footage to/from my VCR and DVD Recorder using iMovie. It works great as long as I use the internal hard drive but the external firewire 800 drive won't mount if the camcorder is turned on. Also if the hard drive is mounted I'll start getting the spinning beach ball in iMovie if I turn the power on to the camcorder. They won't work with each other. Does anyone know why? Thanks!

PowerMac FW800 (G4), iBook 1.42 G4 SuperDrive, Mac OS X (10.4.10)

Posted on Oct 21, 2008 10:11 AM

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Answer 1

Oct 21, 2008 10:41 AM in response to KeepItSimple

Since you own a Canon camera:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=61603
Note that not all affected models are mentioned in the article.

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Answer 2

KeepItSimple Author

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Oct 21, 2008 11:01 AM in response to Lennart Thelander

Well I guess the plan to save my imported footage to an external hard drive is out , with this model camcorder anyway. It's not one of the models listed but it's that vintage. Would other camcorders with pass-through or other capture devices work with an external hard drive?

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Answer 3

Oct 21, 2008 11:06 AM in response to KeepItSimple

You can always import to the internal drive and then move (copy) the project to the external drive (and back for export to camera). You can have multiple projects on the external, but just one temporary on the internal for import/export.

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Answer 4

KeepItSimple Author

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Oct 22, 2008 5:23 AM in response to Lennart Thelander

Thanks Lennart you've been very helpful. That's what i've been doing -- moving iMovie and DV files back and forth from the hard drive to the external drive. Unfortunately I still have the stock 80GB hard drive so there's not much room.

Do other camcorders like a Sony or Panasonic work with an external drive? I also noticed some dropped frames using the Canon camcorder which that article mentioned so I think I need a more reliable analog-digital device. Could I get an audio/video s-video card with inputs/outputs that would send the signal back and forth? Thanks!

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Answer 5

Oct 22, 2008 5:35 AM in response to KeepItSimple

Do other camcorders like a Sony or Panasonic work with an external drive?

Yes, they do. Others swear by Sony and I use Panasonic.

Could I get an audio/video s-video card with inputs/outputs that would send the signal back and forth?

Yes, you could use a DV-converter.
I can recommend the Canopus ADVC 300:
http://www.firewire-1394.com/canopus-advc-300.htm

The cheaper Canopus (and other brands) does not have a timebase corrector, this one does.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timebase_correction

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Answer 6

KeepItSimple Author

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Oct 22, 2008 6:11 AM in response to Lennart Thelander

The Canopus looks very nice Lennart.
I use the DNR on my Toshiba DVD Recorder which cleans up the VHS signal. Whatever TBC I get or don't get using the dvd recorder/camcorder/mac setup seems to be ok EXCEPT for dropped frames which I guess the canon camcorder creates.

So now I think I need another Sony or Panasonic miniDV camcorder with digital pass-through and S-video connection. Can you recommend any panasonic models Lennart?

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Answer 7

Oct 22, 2008 6:14 AM in response to KeepItSimple

Can you recommend any panasonic models Lennart?

Sorry i haven't got a clue. I bought a new one a year ago, but it doesn't even have analog inputs.
My old Panasonic from 2001 has analog inputs and I can use it if needed.

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Answer 8

KeepItSimple Author

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Oct 22, 2008 6:24 AM in response to Lennart Thelander

An older Sony or Panasonic camcorder with s-video jack is what i was thinking of since most newer ones don't even have composite analog video I guess. Of course an older camcorder might have mechanical issues but I don't care all I would need is for the electronics to work just like the canon does, minus the dropped frames/firewire connection issue of course.

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Answer 9

Oct 22, 2008 6:28 AM in response to KeepItSimple

My old Panasonic is NV-DS 38. It's for PAL. I don't know where you live, so if you live in an NTSC country, this one isn't for you. (You can add your location to your profile.)

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Answer 10

KeepItSimple Author

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Oct 22, 2008 6:39 AM in response to Lennart Thelander

I'm in NTSC country (thanks I added my location to profile). Well with Canons I noticed that here in the U.S. they had digital pass-through and S-video jacks on all models from the early to mid-2000's. Then they started nicking off those must-have features in all but the most expensive models. I guess I 'd better start researching Sony and Panny camcorders.

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Answer 11

Oct 22, 2008 6:43 AM in response to KeepItSimple

Ah, Sacramento. I really like "Old Sacramento". :-)

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Answer 12

KeepItSimple Author

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Oct 23, 2008 9:44 AM in response to Lennart Thelander

Well I have another Canon Mini-DV camcorder, a ZR-40. It's one of the ones listed in that article above. I hooked it up yesterday and what-do-you-know it works properly with the external drive connected. That article said there are problems with the ZR40/45/50 but my problem was with the newer ZR65MC. The ZR-40 works fine with the external connected BUT will not import footage in iMovie and save to the external without the iMovie screen going blue often then resuming import about 1 second later losing footage each time. No problems if saving to the hard drive.

BTW my external drive is bus powered with no external a/c available. It does have a USB power cable for laptops that don't provide enough power but I didn't think that was an issue with a Firewire 800 powermac.

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