Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Connect Sony Handycam DCR-TRV 350 to iMovie 11

Ijust got a iMac with iMovie '11 to replace my ten-year-old Compaq Presario, and one of the main reasons I bought a Mac is because they are the fancy/artsy computers, But when I connect my Sony Handycam DCR-TRV 350 to iMovie in video mode, it doesn't show up in iMovie. When I click on the little camera on the left side and click on the camera drop-down box, all that shows is "Built-in iSight". I want to make a video, but it wonl't show up! It uses a Hi-8 tape. No firewire cord came with the camera, all I have is USB. Please Help!!!!!!

iMovie '11, Mac OS X (10.7.2)

Posted on Jan 5, 2012 12:37 PM

Reply
Question marked as Best reply

Posted on Jan 5, 2012 2:22 PM

(1) As explained in your Digital8® camcorder's user guide or this Sony page:


http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/support-info.pl?&info_id=64&mdl=DCRTRV350


you need a Firewire cable to use your DCR-TRV 350 with iMovie '11. USB will not do.


(2) If your iMac is a current (Firewire 800) model, your cable must have 4pins at one end and 9 pins at the other in order to connect your camcorder.


If your iMac is an older model that has only Firewire 400 port(s), you willneed a 4pin--6pin Firewire cable.


You can get the correct cable from any computer or electronics store.


(3) If you need help troubleshooting the connection after you have the proper cable, see this Sony page: http://www.kb.sony.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?cmd=displayKC&externalId =C86798&fes=true&mdl=DCRTRV350


(4) With the correct cable, once you have your camcorder correctly connected to your Mac, follow these iMovie instructions: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=iMovie/9.0/en/mov39f8475e.html





Message was edited by: EZ Jim

7 replies
Question marked as Best reply

Jan 5, 2012 2:22 PM in response to Happylittledude

(1) As explained in your Digital8® camcorder's user guide or this Sony page:


http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/support-info.pl?&info_id=64&mdl=DCRTRV350


you need a Firewire cable to use your DCR-TRV 350 with iMovie '11. USB will not do.


(2) If your iMac is a current (Firewire 800) model, your cable must have 4pins at one end and 9 pins at the other in order to connect your camcorder.


If your iMac is an older model that has only Firewire 400 port(s), you willneed a 4pin--6pin Firewire cable.


You can get the correct cable from any computer or electronics store.


(3) If you need help troubleshooting the connection after you have the proper cable, see this Sony page: http://www.kb.sony.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?cmd=displayKC&externalId =C86798&fes=true&mdl=DCRTRV350


(4) With the correct cable, once you have your camcorder correctly connected to your Mac, follow these iMovie instructions: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=iMovie/9.0/en/mov39f8475e.html





Message was edited by: EZ Jim

Jan 5, 2012 2:24 PM in response to Happylittledude

Hi-8 Tape is analog, and must be converted into digital. Fortunately, your Sony DCR-TRV-350 will do exactly that. It will convert Hi8 analog into DV digital on the fly.


All you need is a Firewire Cable. USB will not work for this.


If you have a new Mac, it most likely has FireWire 800.

For that you need a 4 pin to 9 pin Firewire Cable.

This cable is available inexpensively at monoprice.com. Here is a link http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=103&cp_id=10301&cs_id=1030104 &p_id=3541&seq=1&format=2


If you have an old Mac, you may have Firewire 400. In this case, you need a 4 pin to 6 pin Firewire Cable.

Unless you bought a Mac over 4 years old, you probably have Firewire 800. You can tell for sure by clicking

/About this Mac/More Info/System Report/

Then click on Firewire.

If maximum speed is up to 800Mb/sec, then you have Firewire 800.


Once you have the right cable, make sure your Sony is plugged into AC power (not batteries only). Connect the Firewire Cable. Turn the camera to Play mode. Open iMovie and wait for it to recognize the camera. If it does not see it in a couple of minutes, click the camera button.


FYI the USB port is only useful for removing still photos from the Sony.

Jan 23, 2013 9:30 PM in response to Happylittledude

I'm interested in doing the same but I was gonna purchase a used Sony TRV340 camcorder. My question is whether or not the O/S makes a difference or just what version of iMovie I am using. I have a 2011 iMac running Lion 10.8 with iMovie 2011.


Will this work for converting old Hi8's into digital via the Firewire cable? Where did you purchase the cable? Ultimately, once my Hi8's are read into the iMac, I'm archiving them to DVD.


Thanks!

Connect Sony Handycam DCR-TRV 350 to iMovie 11

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple ID.