Connecting panasonic camcorder via usb to my macbook

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Level 1

4 points

Connecting panasonic camcorder via usb to my macbook

So my macbook does not have a firewire slot. Which means i can only use a usb connection to my camcorder. Its a panasonic (5 yrs old) and when i connect it to my computer nothing happens. No new hardware shows up etc... There is no connection???

Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Apr 23, 2010 8:14 PM

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Answer 1

Apr 23, 2010 8:30 PM in response to annaem

Does your camcorder use miniDV tape? In that case, you really do need firewire.

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Answer 2

annaem Author

Level 1

4 points

Apr 24, 2010 7:02 AM in response to AppleMan1958

Yes my camera has mini tapes but my laptop does not have a slot for fire wire.. I only have the option of usb.

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Answer 3

Apr 24, 2010 7:12 AM in response to annaem

Hi

USB/USB2 - No possible way at all. There are no working USB - FW converter.

alt is to
• Use another Mac to Import/Capture and to an external USB2 hard disk
This HAS TO BE - Mac OS Extended formatted - UNIX/DOS/FAT32/Mac OS Exchange do not work

• Exchange the MacBook to a Mac Pro Book (has FW-800)

• Or labourus, bad quality and expencive - Use the Analog out from Camera and
an A/D-box that connects via USB (and comes with Capture programs)
Not recommended at all. Just as a last resort.

Yours Bengt W

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Answer 4

Apr 24, 2010 8:40 AM in response to Bengt Wärleby

As Bengt says, your camera probably has analog out. It would be a cable with red, white and yellow rca jacks on the TV end. You can use a device like the EyeTV Hybrid from ElGato to capture this analog signal, but you will lose some quality.

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Answer 5

annaem Author

Level 1

4 points

Apr 24, 2010 7:41 PM in response to Bengt Wärleby

i think i'd rather do it the old fashion way with a dvd recorder and a tv. Well i have decided that i will be buying a new camcorder one that has a hard drive rather than tapes. Thanks everyone.

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