Sony DCR-DVD105 and iMovie Update
I wrote a couple of days ago about my frustration of not being able to import video created on the Sony Handycam (DCR-DVD105) and stored on those cute little baby disks. I have found a way to make them work if anyone is interested. I bought the Sony because I figured that transporting a mini disk around and dropping it into the computer was more logical than lugging the camera around and messing with the cables. Obviously, I was wrong, but I have worked out a pretty good system that works. It takes a little more time, but also has some capabilities I haven't even explored yet. The bottom line is that it works and I get to carry my baby disks to and from work without all the rest of the hardware and hassle.
You need to obtain two pieces of software. MPEG Streamclip is freeware that you can get from Version Tracker and you will need QuickTime's MPEG 2 Reader Component that you can get from Apple for $20. MPEG Streamclip is really an incredible piece of software (I can't imagine why it is freeware) with many options for converting and exporting video. It also gives you the option of selecting in and out takes so you don't have to import one long stream into iMovie (this does take time though). I have tried files converted in QuickTime, AVI, and MPEG4 over the last two days. MPEG4 conversions work best in iMovie (for me), but they also take longer in the conversion. Just drop the baby disk into the Mac, open Streamclip, select the in and out takes you want (one-at-a-time), and select the export format. The files created import into iMovie with very little loss of quality in video and audio.
Even with all the searching, problem solving, and fiddling over the weekend, I was still able to create a 45 minute DVD of student work using iMovie and iDVD. And yes, I did sleep, mowed the lawn, washed the car, picked up Rocky's gifts in the backyard, and graded a week's worth of papers. The Sony Handycam is a great machine. I just wish that everyone would get on the same page.
iBook G4, iMac G4 Mac OS X (10.4.5) iMac G4 on 10.3.9
You need to obtain two pieces of software. MPEG Streamclip is freeware that you can get from Version Tracker and you will need QuickTime's MPEG 2 Reader Component that you can get from Apple for $20. MPEG Streamclip is really an incredible piece of software (I can't imagine why it is freeware) with many options for converting and exporting video. It also gives you the option of selecting in and out takes so you don't have to import one long stream into iMovie (this does take time though). I have tried files converted in QuickTime, AVI, and MPEG4 over the last two days. MPEG4 conversions work best in iMovie (for me), but they also take longer in the conversion. Just drop the baby disk into the Mac, open Streamclip, select the in and out takes you want (one-at-a-time), and select the export format. The files created import into iMovie with very little loss of quality in video and audio.
Even with all the searching, problem solving, and fiddling over the weekend, I was still able to create a 45 minute DVD of student work using iMovie and iDVD. And yes, I did sleep, mowed the lawn, washed the car, picked up Rocky's gifts in the backyard, and graded a week's worth of papers. The Sony Handycam is a great machine. I just wish that everyone would get on the same page.
iBook G4, iMac G4 Mac OS X (10.4.5) iMac G4 on 10.3.9
