Using Sony HDR-HC3 HDV Hanycam with iMovie

Has anyone experience in using this camcorder with iMovie? Were there any difficulties?

Thanks, Bruce

PowerBook G4, Mac OS X (10.4.5)

Posted on Apr 1, 2006 4:47 PM

Reply
69 replies

Jun 12, 2006 11:15 PM in response to Bruce Burdick

Please forgive my rookiness... I purchased this video camera and after recording some footage am ready to edit in iMovie. After reading all the posts, I understand I need an iLink cable to transfer video from the camcorder to the computer, correct? I have a USB cable that was supplied with the camcorder, but I believe that's for transferring photos taken with the camcorder.

Phew, if I can get past this cable confusion, I should be golden!

Should I buy a specific iLink cable from Sony or will something else work?

Thanks for helping the camcorder-challenged! Tamara

iMac G5 Mac OS X (10.4.6) Intel Dual Core

Jun 13, 2006 12:10 AM in response to Tammol

Hi Tammol,
welcome to the  board 😉

don't worry... you realized the BIG difference between usb and the other one... that's better then many other posters here ... 😉

iLink is Sony's brand for Firewire (Apple's brand), which is IEE1394.... all the same:
one side looks like this
User uploaded file
... 6pin, fits into your Mac...

other side looks like this
User uploaded file
4pin, fits into your camera...

you can buy ANY 4/6pin firewire cable... the shorter ones start at 3$, but you can buy a stylish, semi-transparent, goldenized Sony cable for 50$... same function 😉

happy editing!

(pics by en.wikipedia.org//

Jun 13, 2006 3:22 AM in response to Karsten Schlüter

I agree that the really expensive cables aren't necessary (I'm currently using a moderately-priced GE-brand cable and it works fine), but for me, part of the solution to my being able to use my Sony HDV camcorder with my G5 was replacing the Apple FireWire cable I had used for years with my previous camcorder. The old cable still works with the new camera in DV mode, but not in HDV mode.

Jul 3, 2006 1:00 AM in response to Bruce Burdick

Has anyone experience in using this camcorder with
iMovie? Were there any difficulties?

Thanks, Bruce


OK, using my G5 2.3 GHz with 2.5gig ram I had the same problems, after reading this discussion I added a $30 firewire PCI card and it worked straight away. My new MacBook 2GHz white with 1.25gig ram also works fine both are working in real time. But make sure you have the camera set up correctly as mentioned.

G5 2.3 Mac OS X (10.4.7) HC1 and HC3

G5 2.3 Mac OS X (10.4.7) HC1 and HC3

G5 2.3 Mac OS X (10.4.6)

G5 2.3 Mac OS X (10.4.6)

Aug 15, 2006 5:16 AM in response to Curiosthing

Regardless of the comments about HDV made in the September Macworld magazine, I shoot video and burn DVDs at full HDV resolution because if you have a DVD player that supports 720p and an HDTV, you will get a higher-res picture than plain DV. Not true HD, but better than DV. If you're skeptical, you might make a DVD with both DV and HDV clips and compare them. Seeing is believing. And in time, one can redo DVDs in true HD, something not possible with standard DV as Macworld recommends.

I'm very happy with my HDR-HC3, and with the videos I make with it using iMovie or Final Cut Express, and iDVD.

Aug 15, 2006 11:34 PM in response to Bruce Burdick

I just purchased my Apple last week. I've been a lifelong PC user but figured it was time to check out what Apple had to offer. I specifically bought the Apple because of it's video editing software. Unfortunately, I have the Sony HDR-HC3 and after trying everything (short of a new firewire card) suggested in this thread, I still can't get iMovie to import. Is the only solution to add a different firewire card??? If so, perhaps it'd just be easier for me to return my Apple and buy a PC instead... I'm not a hardware savvy person and it makes me cringe to think of messing with my brand new purchase.

Aug 16, 2006 4:17 AM in response to noliglover

nollglover, what behavior are you seeing in iMovie? What version of iMovie do you have? What model Mac do you have, and what speed, how much RAM, which version of OS X? Is it new or used/refurbished? In my case I had two problems, I needed a FireWire card (a problem I've only seen in early G5s) and my cable didn't work with HDV, although both my cable and built-in FireWire did work with regular DV.

If you bought a new Mac, it should "just work" out of the box, assuming it has enough RAM. In that case, I'd consider a new cable and double-check your settings. When you create a new iMovie project, you need to create it as a 1080i project, not a DV project, to import the 1080i HDV from the camcorder. You might try creating a DV project and shooting some video as regular DV just to verify that that works.

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Using Sony HDR-HC3 HDV Hanycam with iMovie

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