Hitachi mini DVD camcorder without Mac driver

Question

Hitachi mini DVD camcorder without Mac driver

Please help.
I have an entire soccer season of footage I need to edit but the USB hookup is not recognized by my new Mac. I spoke with Hitachi and they don't support Macs or even publish drivers. I tried buying a new Panasonic camcorder that is supposed to be Mac compatible but it wouldn't read the DVDs.
Somehow, and fast since our postseason banquet rapidly approaches, I need to get the footage onto my hard drive.
Suggestions?
THANK YOU!!!
Frustrated Coach Dave

iMac5,1, Mac OS X (10.4.6)

Posted on Oct 29, 2006 4:55 AM

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Answer 1

Oct 29, 2006 8:49 AM in response to SurferCoachDave

You'll need some new harware and software first.
Mini DVD's will not work in a slot loading DVD drive so you may need another external drive to "play" them. You should be able to "mount" the camera (no drivers needed) and then "drag" the folders of data to your internal HD to "copy" them. Make sure you're connecting to a USB 2 port (not the one on the keyboard).
Since DVD's are MPEG-2 format you will only be able to "view" them using the DVD Player app. To edit them in iMovie requires they be converted back into editable formats.
MPEG Streamclip (free) can convert them to DV Stream format but it also requires the QuickTime MPEG-2 Playback Component ($20) be installed.
Once converted to DV Stream (.dv) you can then begin importing into iMovie and edit them.
What have we learned?
Don't buy a camera that records to DVD. They are intended for playback only.
Buy a camera that records as "DV" and also has a Firewire connection for the next soccer season.

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Answer 2

Oct 29, 2006 10:05 AM in response to QuickTimeKirk

Thank you so much.
I am currently trying to get the files in using DVDxDV. I'll let you know if it works?
What a mess but gotta make it work somehow!

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