Please help with my JVC GZ-HD3U camera! Need to get video to play!

Looks like MPEG Streamclip - which is handy for a number of chores - can convert these to MPEG 2 files, which is what they really are underneath..

Well, I'm blind leading the blind here, but I gather Handbrake will enable you to convert the files but probably with a loss of quality if you plan to edit them. Perhaps OK for merely viewing. Apple did allow for MPEG-2 files to be imported into iMovie from certain cameras. see http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1372 Maybe there is a more direct path for you.
From what little I have read, it sounds like the MPEG plugin might solve some of your problems. Not free, though.

I don't think changing the file extension will cause any corruption to the file per se, although it might confuse the software. Make a copy and try it.

The MPEG-2 component costs like $20 and will let you edit TOD files. That's a small price to pay.

Be sure you find my post on how to use MPEGStreamclip with 10.6.

I work for JVC and would like to try to help.

This generation of JVC camcorders was designed to work best with Apple using Firewire (iLink), not USB. In order to do this, the camcorder must be set to a special recording mode called 1440CBR. He is some additional detail:

Preparation:
• All video must be recorded in the 1440CBR mode.
• When you are done recording, create a playlist with the recorded video you would like to edit
• Select the 1440CBR output on your HD Everio
• Start your iMovie ’08/'09 software
• You need a 4 pin to 6 pin i.Link cable—Don’t use USB
• It is not necessary to install any additional software or plug ins to edit with iMovie ’08/'09 via i.Link

Connect:
• Connect the 6 pin connector on the i.Link cable to the Apple computer & connect the 4 pin connector on the i.Link cable to the JVC HD Everio
• The iMovie ’08/'09 import window automatically opens

Import:
• Choose “Dubbing Playback”
• Push the function button, choose “Playback Playlist” and move the cursor to the desired playlist
• Do not push in on the joystick to select it
• Instead, right click to enter “Dubbing Playback”
• Click through the on screen reminders until you get to “PREPARE THE RECORDING DEVICE”
• Click “Import” on iMovie ’08/'09
• When finished, the import stops automatically

Edit:
• At this point the video has been imported and can be edited with iMovie ’08/'09

File Attributes:
• Right click on the file to check the attributes
• 1440CBR data is saved as a 1920 x 1080 .mov file

Note #1: This suggested method is specific to the GZ-HD3. The GZ-HD5, GZ-HD6 and GZ-HD7 all work in a very similar manner, as do the GZ-HD30 & GZ-HD40 when they are set to record in the MPEG2 (.tod) mode. Please refer to the original owner's manual for specifics on how to engage the dubbing playback mode with each model, as there are some minor variances. More recent 2009 model JVC camcorders, such as the GZ-HM200, GZ-HD300, GZ-HD320 & GZ-HM400 all use a different recording format (AVCHD/.mts) which is much easier to use. With any recent Apple computer and iMovie ‘08/’09 those 2009 camcorders are basically plug and play. Simply connect your USB cable and you can import any video.

Note #2: For this to work, all video must be recorded in the 1440CBR mode. This is the key. Think of the 1440CBR mode as the Apple/i.Link mode! It is mandatory on this generation of JVC camcorder when used with Apple. If you did not use this mode, then your only choice is to try the other suggestions in this thread. Also, if you did not use 1440CBR and wish to connect via USB, make sure to install the JVC Quick Time Plug-in which comes on CD-ROM with the camcorder, as well as the Quick Time Plug In update which is available at this website: http://www2.cli.co.jp/products/ne/updateqtc_for_gzhd7/qtc3eupdate.htm

I hope this is helpful.

Shooting 1440CBR with FW is certainly the simplest way, but if the video has already been shot, the using USB to move the files to disk and then using MPEGStreamclip to BATCH convert .tod (MPEG-2) to AIC .mov files works perfectly. All documented in my best selling HD7 Guide.

PS: if he is going to use FW he needs to create a Playlist on the camera.

Thank you, but will it work with "Snow Leopard"? Please help.

Please see:

http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=10462764#10462764

Steve,

Thanks for the clarification. You are correct. My instructions said to use "Playback Playlist", but were not clear that you need to first make the playlist.

A playlist is simply a list of scenes/files from your camcorder that you wish to playback or transfer into the computer. Using the camcorder's menu, you pick the scenes you like, and skip the scenes you don't like. You can save multiple playlists in the camcorder's memory, and you can add a title/name to each playlist if you would like.

Once you have created the playlist, you are ready to use "Dubbing Playback".

Chris

I've been sending an updated iM09 HOW TO EDIT TOD to those who bought my HD7 eBook. Decided it would be simpler to post these instructions on my website:

http://home.mindspring.com/~d-v-c/

I make no claims about 10.6 because I won't install this on my VERY stable 10.5.8 MBP. Apple may think it's ready for Primetime -- I don't. And, certainly not with iM09. 😟