Canon ZR200 vs. iMovie 9 Problem

Question

Level 1

8 points

Canon ZR200 vs. iMovie 9 Problem

12/22
Greetings:
I realize there are several posts on this topic but can't find a solution. My Canon ZR200 mini-dv camera has the Firewire 4-pin connector. I bought a universal device which goes from the camera firewire to the USB on my MacBook Pro. iMovie 9 still does not recognize the camera. Anyone have any solutions for me? Your time and help is appreciated.
Mike

MacBook Pro 17", Mac OS X (10.6.2)

Posted on Dec 22, 2009 1:57 PM

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Answer 1

Len Goff

Level 6

17,911 points

Dec 22, 2009 2:37 PM in response to Papa_Baker

I'm using a 4-pin to FireWire 800 cable with my new iMac and Canon ZR 100. Works fine; and very fast with my one project so far.

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Answer 2

Papa_Baker Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 22, 2009 2:42 PM in response to Len Goff

HI...I wish I was having the luck you are having. I have tried everything I know and the camera is not being recognized. Have gone to the Canon site as well as Apple support but not sure what to do next. This is very disappointing with the quality of both the MacBook Pro 17" and Canon camera. I have over an hour of footage of the grandkids at our lake home this past summer with no way, as of this moment, of getting it in iMovie 9.

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Answer 3

Papa_Baker Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 22, 2009 4:02 PM in response to Papa_Baker

HI All...FYI, I just spent some time with Apple Support and the bottom line is the Canon ZR200 is not supported and therefore will not work with iMovie 9. My work around is to go back to my iBook (iMovie 4) and save the video footage as a Quicktime file and save on an external hd, then bring this footage into ver. 9. I did the test several times and the footage is all there. Disappointed my existing camera will not work, but that's life in the fast paced techno field.

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Answer 4

Len Goff

Level 6

17,911 points

Dec 22, 2009 5:31 PM in response to Papa_Baker

I'll be sure to tell my Canon ZR 100 what the tech guy said... Meanwhile:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3290#1

*Tape-based Camcorder Support*

iMovie '09 works with most Mini DV tape-based camcorders that use a FireWire cable (also known as IEEE 1394 or i.Link) to transfer data. iMovie works with DV (standard definition) or HDV (high definition) formats.

Note: Not all Macintosh Computers include a FireWire port. Check your system configuration to confirm your Mac includes FireWire support before attempting to connect a DV or HDV camcorder.

***********
If I were you, I'd get a 4-pin to FireWire 800 cable and try it. You do have a FireWire 800 port, right?

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Answer 5

Papa_Baker Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 22, 2009 5:39 PM in response to Len Goff

I talked with another rep at Apple and he mentioned the Belkin cable (4-pin firewire to 9-pin firewire). Apple has it for $29 and change. So, talk with two different reps and get two different answers. Taking the $52 cable back to Best Buy and heading to the Apple store for $29. At least in this process I will transfer only once. I will come back to this post tomorrow afternoon and let all know the results.

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Answer 6

Len Goff

Level 6

17,911 points

Dec 22, 2009 5:44 PM in response to Papa_Baker

+...heading to the Apple store for $29.+

Which one? My nearest is Naperville. CNBC said today that "all" the Apple stores are packed. 🙂

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Answer 7

Papa_Baker Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 23, 2009 2:05 PM in response to Len Goff

12/23
Well, went to the closest Apple store and purchased for $29.95 the Belkin Firewire 800/400 9-Pin to 4-Pin cable. Connected the camera and all is well. I have over an hour of video to edit, but at least this problem is solved. iMovie immediately recognized the camera model. Hope this helps someone down the line.

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