Will my camcorder work if I buy Final Cut Express HD 3.5?

Question

Will my camcorder work if I buy Final Cut Express HD 3.5?

I have been enjoying iMovie for a long time and thought I would move on to Final Cut Express, but before I do I want to make sure my camcorder will work with it. My computer is one of the intel iMacs so I know it's not a problem. My camcorder is a Sony DCR-HC32. It uses miniDV tapes. I have an ominous feeling that Final Cut Express won't work with cameras that use miniDV tapes, but I'm not sure. Please let me know if you have any knowledge in this area. I don't want to buy the product if my camcorder can't work with it. Thanks in advance!

Intel-based iMac, Mac OS X (10.4.8), 1.83 Ghz processor, 2GB RAM

Posted on Feb 1, 2007 12:10 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Feb 1, 2007 12:53 AM in response to Scott Schafer1

Hi Scott.

FCE is designed for cameras that use DV and Mini-DV tapes.

What it is not designed for are DVD and HDD cameras.

So long as your Sony has a Firewire (iLink) connection it should be OK - but nobody can guarantee that every camera in the world will be compatible.

To double-check you should take your camera along to an Apple store that has FCE loaded on a Mac and check that it will capture some footage.

Ian.

Reply

Answer 2

Alchroma

Level 7

23,918 points

Feb 1, 2007 1:02 AM in response to Scott Schafer1

G'Day Scott.

I've not heard of a Sony DV cam not working to date.
After a bit of checking around I'd say you are good to go with FCE.

Al

Reply

Answer 3

Feb 1, 2007 1:20 AM in response to Scott Schafer1

I take it you are aware of the extremely steep learning-curve you have ahead?

Ian.

Reply

Answer 4

Cazhog

Level 3

840 points

Feb 1, 2007 5:57 AM in response to Scott Schafer1

Your camera should work fine. I would also recommend Tom Wolsky's book on FCE. Particularly for set up configuration suggestions and it is very good for people moving from iMovie to FCE.
Also use this discussion board as you get into FCE. The people here are amazingly generous with advice and their knowledge.

Reply

Answer 5

Feb 2, 2007 1:04 AM in response to Cazhog

Thanks for the book suggestion and your response. I'm looking forward to joining the FCE community!
Scott

Reply

Answer 6

Feb 2, 2007 1:06 AM in response to Ian R. Brown

Thanks for the info and the suggestion. I think I will take my camcorder to the Apple Store just to make sure. Good idea! Thanks again,
Scott

Reply

Answer 7

Apr 2, 2007 6:36 PM in response to Alchroma

Saw your post. Today you have. Final Cut Express HD which I just purchased, doesn't work with my Sony HVR-A1J HD camcorder. Odd because the imovie program works quite well. Just looking for a more robust program. I wonder if Apple is planning on updating the program to work with the HVR-A1 series?

Reply

Answer 8

Apr 12, 2007 1:15 PM in response to Alchroma

I have a Sony HDR-HC7 which Final Cut express does not allow camera control of. I hope Apple will update the software to allow it. It works fine with iMovie. It seems counterintuitive that the more robust software package has less functionality in this regard.

Reply

Answer 9

Apr 13, 2007 10:26 AM in response to Scott Schafer1

In the frequently asked questions about FCE there is a link that will take you to a page that lists the cameras that will work with FCE. My Panasonic PV-GS39 is not on that list and people write that they are unable to use that camera with FCE.

I will take the suggestion from the guy that told you to take the camera to an Apple store to test it on a Mac that has FCE installed on it.

Reply

Answer 10

povlhp

Level 1

24 points

Apr 25, 2007 9:13 PM in response to skallagrim

Also no control of the Canon HV20 camcorder. It works fine in IMovie.

Reply

Answer 11

Rdv20

Level 1

0 points

Apr 26, 2007 6:40 PM in response to Ian R. Brown

Hey do you know if any final cut is compatible with and HDD camera?

Reply

Answer 12

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

152,819 points

Apr 26, 2007 7:12 PM in response to Rdv20

No, it is not. There are currently no software applications that support them except those offered by the camera manufacturers.

Reply

Answer 13

Apr 26, 2007 10:50 PM in response to Rudd Young

Rudd,
I see in Amazon that camera has firewire so it should be ok

Reply

Answer 14

Bloreboy

Level 1

0 points

Jun 9, 2007 4:52 PM in response to skallagrim

I have a (somewhat) painful workaround ...

I can capture the movie in iMovie, and then save the project. Then, in FCE I can import the movie with all the clips intact and ready to use.

Reply

Answer 15

Yalta

Level 1

0 points

Jul 17, 2007 5:17 PM in response to Scott Schafer1

Wondering if the Sony HVR-V1u is compatible with Final Cut Express HD? Or a way to make it work? This camera is not on the list.

Thinking of buying a hdv camera 24p (price range $1,000 -3,000) that I could edit on FCE. Any reccomendations?

Reply