Sony Handycam

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Level 1

10 points

Sony Handycam

I have a brand new Sony Handycam DCR-DVD 305 and I can't get it to work with iMovie (or my iMac).

If I haven't finalized the DVD the computer tells me I've inserted a blank DVD. If I finalize the DVD in the cam the computer will launch Frontrow and show the video clips but it won't play them.

I saw something that said I should use Firewire, but the camera only came with USB. How would I hook up a firewire cable?

Did I buy the wrong cam?

Thanks

iMac, Mac OS X (10.4.6)

Posted on Aug 24, 2006 11:29 PM

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Answer 1

Smtr

Level 5

5,450 points

Aug 24, 2006 11:35 PM in response to eva_m

This is a problem. DVD is meant as a final viewing medium, not as something to be imported for editing. iMovie is meant for miniDV tape (or digital8 tape, so I've read). Most of the leaders on this forum would recommend you return the DVD camcorder for a miniDV. Make your life easier.

Read this thread:

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=2905635&#2905635

There is software you can use to convert the DVD footage. It takes several steps and results in lower quality video, but many people seem to do this.

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Answer 2

eva_m Author

Level 1

10 points

Aug 25, 2006 7:04 AM in response to eva_m

Well, here's another question:

If I finalize the disk, my mac can see the disk and the files on it. I can copy them to my hard drive. But if I try to import them into iMovie, the files are grayed. If I try to import them into iDVD, the files aren't grayed, but iDVD doesn't recognize them. They have names with extenders like BUP, IFO and VOB. How do I convert these files into something iMovie can use?

I have a PC. I suppose I could download the files onto that and transfer them over to the Mac, though it would be a hassle. But will that solve the problem? Will iMovie be able to open them?

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Answer 3

SDIllini

Level 6

16,675 points

Aug 25, 2006 8:40 AM in response to eva_m

Hi eva:

You will need to use a third party software to import the files into iMovie. They will need to be converted to DV.

Using Mpeg (DVD) footage
http://danslagle.com/mac/iMovie/tips_tricks/6010.shtml

some helpful tools:

MPEG StreamClip:
http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/video/mpegstreamclip.html
Apple MPEG2 PlayBack Component:
http://www.apple.com/quicktime/mpeg2/
DVDxDV
http://www.dvdxdv.com/

Even if you put the DVD into your PC, you'd still need to convert them from Windows Media.

Sue

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Answer 4

eva_m Author

Level 1

10 points

Aug 25, 2006 9:09 AM in response to eva_m

Here's one more: I downloaded the images from the Handycam to a PC and then transferred the file from the PC to the Mac. But even though it's an mpeg and clicking on it launches Quicktime, Quicktime can't play it.

I saw a thread on camcorders.com saying that other Mac users were having the same problem - sony mpegs from the pc won't play on the Mac.

Anyone figure this out?

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Answer 5

SDIllini

Level 6

16,675 points

Aug 25, 2006 9:53 AM in response to eva_m

Hi evea:

Have a look at my last post again. Click on the link to Dan Slagle's site.

Sue

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Answer 6

eva_m Author

Level 1

10 points

Aug 25, 2006 11:20 AM in response to eva_m

Yes, thanks. Our messages crossed. I got mpeg streamclip and can now get the VOB file off my camera and convert it to something usable with sound even. So thank you for that.

Now the next problem is, all my clips seem to be in one VOB file and when I play through it in mpeg streamclip I can see the whole first one and the last frame of the last one. I occasionally can bring up tantalizing frames of other clips but I can't actually PLAY the other clips and when I export, I only get the first one plus the last frame of the last one.

Is there some trick to viewing all the clips? I don't care if they're all run together as one long movie. I just want to get them all!

Thanks

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Answer 7

eva_m Author

Level 1

10 points

Aug 26, 2006 10:30 PM in response to eva_m

Can I ask another question?

I've figured out how to get the VOB file off my cam and convert it with Streamclip. Several different file conversions work fine. Of the ones that work, which is best?

The ones that worked were:

Export to Quicktime
Export to DV
Export to MPEG-4
Convert to MPEG with MP2 Audio
Demux to 2MV and AIFF

I'm still wondering if I should return the camera and get one that uses DV tapes instead. The DVDs only hold 31 minutes and the whole conversion process is a bit of a pain - I have to finalize the disk, copy the VOB file, convert it in Streamclip and then import it into iMovie. When I borrowed a friend's old Sony Handycam with the DV tapes, I just plugged the thing into my Mac and iMovie opened right up and sucked the video out of the cam. Plus the tapes ran an hour. Is there an image or sound quality difference between tapes and dvds?

thanks.

Thanks

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Answer 8

Smtr

Level 5

5,450 points

Aug 27, 2006 12:46 AM in response to eva_m

Is there an image or sound quality difference between
tapes and dvds?

Yes.

DV tape is much better quality, and it's what iMovie is designed to use. To illustrate, look at the file size of DV footage vs. DVD. An iMovie project takes about 13GB per hour of tape when you import. When you burn it to DVD it is compressed to under 4.7GB. That compression is optimized for viewing on a TV screen. (People often complain that their DVDs look bad on their computer monitors, and they do. Monitors have much higher resolution than TV screens.) DVD is meant for being the final version.

Now consider DVD camcorder vs. miniDV camcorder. (You can search this forum and find many relevant threads. Karsten Schluter, #1 member of this forum, often tells people to return their DVD camcorders. He also explains better than I do, so if you're interested you can look for him in your search.) When you convert the footage from the DVD camcorder, you are trying to decompress the small mpeg file into a dv stream. Yes, you can get it into iMovie, but since your source file is so much smaller, you will notice a loss in quality.

So your choice really depends on how you will primarily use the camcorder. If you like the convenience of finalizing the disc in the camcorder and having something that you can instantly view, then the DVD camcorder may be best for you. But if you plan to do editing with iMovie and iDVD, you're better off having the higher quality DV tape for your source footage.

Where has Karsten been this week, anyway?

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Answer 9

Aug 27, 2006 2:30 AM in response to Smtr

Where has Karsten been this week, anyway?

I'm a few days off, vacation with lil' Alex to Grandpa... and forgot my pw, so I can not lock-in into discussion...

oops? what did I say?? ;-))

the doctor is "in" next week...

thanks smtr for caring... I appreciate very much!

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Answer 10

eva_m Author

Level 1

10 points

Aug 27, 2006 8:01 AM in response to eva_m

Thank you so much for the clear answer. I think I will exchange it for miniDV. Just to confirm, the Sony DCR-HC46 WILL work as you say with iMovie on my Mac? I can't find anything specific in the literature about it.

Thanks again!

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Answer 11

Smtr

Level 5

5,450 points

Aug 27, 2006 9:57 AM in response to eva_m

Yes, the Sony DCR-HC46 is a miniDV camcorder and will work with iMovie. You will need to have a Firewire cable (Sony calls it iLink) so if you don't already have one (but I imagine you do if you've imported into iMovie) then check if the Sony comes with it. I know Canon ships their camcorders with USB cable, but not Firewire. If you don't/ it doesn't then buy one when you get the camcorder and miniDV tapes.

There is a comprehensive review of this camcorder at http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/Sony-DCR-HC46-Camcorder-Review.htm This review compares the camcorder to several others, including the Canon Elura 100. In case you're interested, the Canon has some features that the Sony is lacking: true widescreen 16:9 recording, 1/5 CCD, microphone-in port, built-in lens cover, LED for low-light recording. Review for the Canon Elura 100 is http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/Canon-Elura-100-Camcorder-Review.htm I don't work for Canon; I recently researched these camcorders myself and chose the Elura. I'm very happy with it.

Anyway, get a miniDV camcorder and let the fun begin.... 🙂

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