Hi,
I would be glad to try and help. The first thing you need to do is close down iPhoto, and open iMovie. If you have iMovie '06, then it has support for .tod files using a USB connection, and you can use any record mode.
More likely, you have iMovie '08, '09, or '11. In that case you need to connect the camcorder via Firewire. Basically, you need to make a list of scenes you want to capture (the camcorder calls this list function "Playback Dubbing"). Then, you capture the video via Firewire in real time. A very important note: This only works with recordings that were made in the 1440CBR mode.
Below are more complete instructions that I wrote a little while back.
I hope this is helpful.
Chris
Most JVC HD Everio models produced in the model year 2008, or earlier were designed to work best with Apple using Firewire (iLink), not USB. Please understand that Firewire (iLink) only works when playing back videos that have been recorded by the camcorder in a special recording mode called 1440CBR. Here is some additional detail on making this work:
*Connection via Firewire:*
Preparation:
• Your camcorder has multiple recording quality modes. Depending on the model, these can include: FHD, XP, SP & 1440CBR. For this method, all video you would like to use in iMovie must be recorded on your camcorder in the 1440CBR mode. This is very important.
• When you are done recording, create a playlist with the recorded video you would like to edit.
• For playback, in your menu, make sure to choose the 1440CBR output on your HD Everio.
• Start your iMovie ’08/'09 software.
• It is not necessary to install any additional software or plug ins to edit with iMovie ’08/'09 via i.Link.
Connect:
• You need a 4 pin to 6 pin i.Link cable—Don’t use USB.
• 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 should automatically open.
Import:
• In the camcorder, create a “Playlist” with the video scenes/clips you would like to import.
• Next you need to find the “Dubbing Playback” function on your camcorder. Check your owner's manual on the specifics for engaging this mode, and choose the playlist you want to import.
• At this point you can click “Import” on iMovie ’08/'09.
• When finished, the import stops automatically.
Editing:
• At this point the video has been imported and can be edited with iMovie ’08/'09.
Note #1: The GZ-HD3, GZ-HD5, GZ-HD6 and GZ-HD7 all work in a very similar manner, as does the GZ-HD40 when it is set to record in the 1440CBR 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. Think of this 1440CBR mode as the Apple/i.Link mode! If you want to connect via iLink, then this recording mode is mandatory.
Note #2: More recent 2008-2010 model JVC camcorders, such as the GZ-HD10, GZ-HD300, GZ-HM300, GZ-HM320, GZ-HD500 & GZ-HD620 all use a different recording format known as AVCHD which uses a .mts file extension. Additionally, the GZ-HD30 & GZ-HD40 models can be set to record in this AVCHD/.mts mode. This is the best choice for editing with a recent Apple computer and iMovie '08/'09 as long as your Apple uses an Intel processor. If that's the case, then these camcorders are basically plug and play. Simply connect your USB cable and you can import/edit any video.
Note #3: If you did not use the 1440CBR mode, there are methods where you can connect through USB, but they can be more complicated. See below.
*Connection via USB:*
For best results with an older JVC HD Everio that records MPEG2 high definition we recommend using the older iMovie 06HD software which did support the MPEG2 HD .tod files.
In this case, you will need 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
If you don't have iMovie '06HD, there are a variety of other solutions as well. They are more complicated, but there is an excellent e-book available. The author is Steve Mullen. His website is at this link:
http://www.mindspring.com/~d-v-c/page2/page2.html