Old digital video camera connection to iMac????

Question

Level 1

9 points

Old digital video camera connection to iMac????

I have an old Panasonic digital color CCTV camera (model WV-CL320) which I have used for years with a microscope attachment in my classroom connected to a television. I would like to be able to connect to the computer to capture images, either single frame or short video clips, on my iMac G-4. Does anyone have knowledge or experience about connections of this type? I tried connecting via the video port by way of the Apple composite or S-video adapter to no avail. Nothing shows up and system profiler doesn't indicate anything. iMovie does not sense a camera. So what must I do or is this asking the impossible? Does this kind of capture require additional software, a composite video to fire wire or something altogether not apparent to my unsavvy mind? The camera has no storage capacity; it simply delivers an output of 1.0 Vp-p NTSC composite video signal. The output on the camera is a BNC connector which further connects to an RCA cable to the television. I have connected the camera to my LCD projector through a composite video- phone jack port on the back of the HP xb21. So if anyone can help it would be appreciated. Thanks

Posted on Oct 16, 2005 3:43 PM

Reply

Answer 1

David Bale

Level 5

5,675 points

Oct 16, 2005 4:59 PM in response to Paul Tackes

IMovie requires a firewire or iLink connection which means a digital camera. Yours I believe is analogue but you might be able to use a digital camera to import the tapes made on th Panasonic WV-CL320.

What tapes does it take?

Someone else may well come up with a workaround.

Reply

Answer 2

Paul Tackes Author

Level 1

9 points

Oct 16, 2005 11:36 PM in response to David Bale

The output on this camera is digital. There is no tape, it would require input to a VCR. This particular camera was a precursor to the WV-CL350 series but lacks the on screen displays. It is rather odd because Panasonic does not acknowledge that it made this item. A search of their site reveals no reference whatsoever to this camera. Albeit the manual I have is nearly identical to the 350. Being a neophyte at this I am not familiar with iLink??? Thanks.

Reply

Answer 3

SDIllini

Level 6

16,675 points

Oct 17, 2005 7:22 AM in response to Paul Tackes

Hello Paul:

The WV-CL350 series was manufactured in 1995 and replaced by the WV-CP 480 in 2000-something...

It does not have a firewire output ( iLink) and would need to be transfered to VHS as you correctly stated. But even then you would need someway of importing the VHS to iMovie-the easiest being a pass through DV camera.

Reply

Answer 4

Oct 18, 2005 1:03 PM in response to Paul Tackes

by way of the Apple composite or S-video adapter to no avail.

These ports are OUT from the Mac, not IN to the Mac.

The output on the camera is a BNC connector which further connects to an RCA cable to the television.

The camera is really no different than a VHS VCR (in this context).
From VHS to DVD
Give New Life to Old Movies
http://www.macworld.com/2004/05/features/fromvhstodvd/

Reply