Help Connecting Sony DCR-HC30

Question

Level 1

119 points

Help Connecting Sony DCR-HC30

I've read everything, including, http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=43000

Still no luck getting iMovie to see the device. I think it's the camcorder settings.

Does anybody have the specific menu item(s) on the camcorder I need to set to make it recognized by iMovie.

Thanx in advance.

Posted on Oct 14, 2005 10:39 AM

Reply

Answer 1

PT

Level 7

20,894 points

Oct 14, 2005 11:47 AM in response to Gary Waxman

Are you using the correct port? Your camera has Four ports. A USB port, a Firewire port (Sony calls "iLink" and is marked with an "i" symbol), an A/V port, and LANC port (blue color). For iMovie you must be using the Firewire/iLink port. Are you?
Also, not sure if it matters, but there is a menu item to set the A/V -> DV OUT function On or Off. Default is Off and you only need it on when passing thru, and digitizing on the fly, analog signals. Not sure if this setting matters during normal playback, but to be safe check and make sure it is OFF unless you are actively using the camcorder as a pass thru converter device.
Patrick

Reply

Answer 2

Gary Waxman Author

Level 1

119 points

Oct 14, 2005 3:35 PM in response to PT

I bought a iLink to Firewire cable and am using it. Here is an example of the cable:

http://cgi.ebay.com/FIREWIRE-DV-CABLE-4-CAMCORDER-SHARP-JVC-PANASONIC-SONY_W0QQi temZ7552656106QQcategoryZ43439QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I will check the A/V setting. When I get it working, to record it to iMovie, do I just push "play" on the camcorder? Or is there is faster way to transfer the videos?

One other thought, I am running off the battery. Do I need to have the power cable to do this?

Reply

Answer 3

Oct 14, 2005 7:45 PM in response to Gary Waxman

You can control the camcorder from within imovie. You can play, pause, etc. with your mouse. When you want to copy clips to your hard drive just click import.

You can run off the battery or connect the power cord to the camcorder. It will work both ways.

Reply

Answer 4

Gary Waxman Author

Level 1

119 points

Oct 17, 2005 10:17 PM in response to Richard Caccioppoli

Ok - I tried it on my iBook and it worked immediately. Any ideas what can be wrong on my eMac. All the settings appear to be the same. Do I need to re-set the PRAM? I am out of ideas...are my Firewire ports fried?

Reply

Answer 5

PT

Level 7

20,894 points

Oct 18, 2005 12:48 PM in response to Gary Waxman

Gary, a couple things you can try. First off, plug in the camera set up like you have it on the powerbook. Now open up the "About My Mac" or whatever it is called under the Apple menu and look at the Firewire ports and see if you can see the camera listed there. If you can, I would guess your ports are working. If you can't see it, or even if you can and want to try it, one solution for dead Firewire ports is resetting the Firewire chipset on the motherboard. This can only be done by removing power from the machine completely.
So power down the computer. Unplug any Firewire devices from the Mac. Pull the Mac's power cord. It isn't enough to simply shut off the Mac, you have to completely remove power. Now put on a tutu and dance around the room for about 5 minutes. Now plug the power cord back into the Mac and power back up. Try the camera again and see what happens. Remove tutu before wife gets home.
Patrick

Reply

Answer 6

SDIllini

Level 6

16,675 points

Oct 18, 2005 2:27 PM in response to Gary Waxman

Hi Gary:

If the Tutu thing didn't work...

*Launch Garageband
*Play a few notes
*Close Garageband
*Open imovie and see if it doesn't work on the eMac now...

Ok-Say you don't believe me...and
i you
with a Tutu on no less...

All joking aside-this has worked for many others-really.

Sue

Reply

Answer 7

Gary Waxman Author

Level 1

119 points

Oct 18, 2005 9:24 PM in response to PT

That worked....sans the tutu :--) I can't believe that is all it was. Don't want to admit how much time I put into this. Many thanks. Man I love discussion boards.

Reply

Answer 8

David Bale

Level 5

5,675 points

Oct 19, 2005 2:29 AM in response to Gary Waxman

Did you get the tutu off in time?

Reply

Answer 9

Oct 19, 2005 2:40 AM in response to SDIllini

suggestion: on the upcoming Apple Support Forum Convention (paid by SJ himself) in Cupertino all level3.5 and higher wear Tutus... the documentary of that event will be posted on a new website in this forum, to display different answers on some FAQ "classics", we will record that event with 90° turned mobile phones and dvd camcorders, convert it into .wmv and .avis, with Macs running 10.1 plus QT7, using music from iTMS, we sell VCDs and post stills on flickr, not to mention PAL>>NTSC converted HD content. via yousendit.com..
did I miss any thing?? 😉

Reply

Answer 10

Oct 21, 2005 9:59 AM in response to PT

I have a very simular problem. My Video cameras (DCR1-P) and and a TRV-480) show up in the FIREWIRE 400 & 800 on the APPLE Profiler, but do not show up as any kind of file that I can view anywhere. I downloaded QT Pro 7 with the MPEG 2 add-on. I also got the MPEG2 player/ translator from serbian. My problem is I have a Powerbook G4 - how do I reset the firewire chipset on it? Do I remove the batery and let it sit for 5 minutes?

Reply

Answer 11

SDIllini

Level 6

16,675 points

Oct 21, 2005 10:36 AM in response to Jim Bedard

Hi Jim:

Welcome to the forum! 😉

If my advice doesn't help, I suggest you post a new thread to get more traffic. With that said...

Read this:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=88338

Sue

Reply

Answer 12

David Bale

Level 5

5,675 points

Oct 21, 2005 10:50 AM in response to SDIllini

I suggest you post a new thread to get more traffic.

Go to a Power Book Discussion as this is iMovie and it will give you better informed contributors for your particular difficulty.

Reply

Answer 13

SDIllini

Level 6

16,675 points

Oct 21, 2005 11:19 AM in response to David Bale

Cheers David:

Go to a Power Book Discussion as this is iMovie

Right you are! thanks!

Sue

Reply

Answer 14

PT

Level 7

20,894 points

Oct 21, 2005 12:43 PM in response to Jim Bedard

On the TRV-480, I assume a Sony, make sure the camera is set for iLink and not IR (I forget which menu that is in). I found out my Sony once had somehow got set back to IR. Camera shows up in system profiler but not in iMovie, so maybe that is the issue.
Patrick

Reply