Importing from a SONY Handycam

Hi Tommy:

Welcome!

First-if your camera can control the camera but not see the video,
*Open Garageband
*Play a note or two
*Close Garageband
*Open iMovie
The camera will work now-REALLY!!

If not, look here:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=43000

Sue

Hi Tommy:

Truly I do understand your frustration.

I did notice that you are using 10.3.9-what Quicktime version are you currently using?

If it is QT 7, there are those that think that is a bad mixture and have converted back to QT 6.5.2.
http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/quicktime652reinstallerforquicktime701.ht ml

Sue

Hi Gary:

In order to import DV into imovie, you must use a 6-pin to 4-pin firewire. They look like this

Sue

iMac ppcG5 1.8 GHz 20FP & iMac G4 800MB 17FP Mac OS X (10.3.9) Superdrives & 1 G RAM all around

Hi Gary,

an hour of video should hopefully be on tape, not on a stick...
the Sony has to bet set in "play" mode, have a look at the power-switch, a Sony normally offers "record/off/play"..
besides, are you 100% sure, you're using a fw cable? the content of a stick can NOT be transferred by fw, but by usb, so I stumble in your commend about that.... (?)

I've been having the same problem as Gary. I have the 6 to 4 firewire you mentioned and still can't get my Mac to recognize the video camera when they are hooked up together. In fact, when I looked on Sony.com, they said that the Handycam is not compatible with a Mac. If someone knows how to work around this, I would really appreciate it.

Sue: ... I have three Sony Handycams ... Poser! ;-))

same here:
I do use an antique Sony TRV14, with iM3/4/5HD - allways working like charm, just once, the camcorder wasn't recognized, just restarted iM - Boom!Done...

What Sony means on its webpage is, that a USB-Connection with a Mac is not supported (which isn't true, concerning memory stick contents); and, that the included software of Sony just runs with Windows... but isn't necessary...

THIS IS DRIVING ME NUTS! If you search the board, there are tons of people having tons of problems with iMovie and Sony Cams. My problem is the same as many others. iMovie sees the cam and controls is but will NOT import.

I have fixed the import problem by ONLY USING THE START UP DRIVE. Do NOT use any external drives as they ( in my case) not let you import. So I use the start up drive and then copy the project to external drives.

HOWEVER, nothing I do lets me use the pass-through mode, so if you have any solutions for using pass-through for copying VHS tapes to iMovie without having to first copy them onto tape (which is why I bought a sony cam to begin with...) please please please let me know!!! I'm dying here...

I've tried the GB fix and it doesn't work for me. I have to shutdown sometimes to reset the firewire ports.

All this mayhem to simply import video is very un-elegant and totally un-apple to have to jump through these hoops to get things to just "work". Sorry, but it's true. All these tricks and "tips" is exactly what why we say we hate the windoze world.

I tried the Garage Band thing. Didn't help at all. I'm having the same problem with my Sony DCR TRV240. I've used it successfully once before, but now when I desperately need this project, I absolutely can not get it to recognize the camera ("Camera Not Attached") I've through every troubleshooting idea I can find. And I also have noticed many Sony camcorder users posting the same problem.
I've tried on both my Macs, which are operating fine in every other regard. I even purchased a new firewire cord to make sure that wasn't it. Still no success. I really feel it's a camera issue. I'd love to hear from someone who solved this problem.

I also use a Sony DV8. Its the Sony trv520. I also use to have that problem but not anymore. First of all, QT7 seems to cause IMovie problems for many. This is why I'm staying with QT6.5.
As for the Sony, get it ready with IMovie running. Now hit the play button. You will now most likely be able to view your footage in the imovie window. Then about 5-7 secs into it, hit the import button on imovie. That should do it. I Always first hit play and then import. Works every time for me.

Rich

Hi Lane:

That is not true-I have three Sony Handycams and they all work perfectly.

Sue

i do have 7... and it's 7 pro. So back tracking means I lose my pro authorization I'm assuming. But thanks for the tip. Appreciated.