Sony HDR-HC7 Compatibility?

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Level 1

1 points

Sony HDR-HC7 Compatibility?

Greetings,

I just purchased a new Sony HDR-HC7 High Def camcorder. Final Cut Express HD 3.5.1 cannot seem to recognize the camera. I can't capture any video in FinalCut Express.

It seems to work fine in iMovie. Just FinalCut Express is refusing to connect to this camera. I called Apple Tech Support. They told me "This camera is not supported." They told me to try iMovie instead. (So why did I pay $299. for this software again?)

Anybody know of a driver or trick that will allow Final Cut to import video from this camera?

I guess I am stuck using iMovie for capture. What is the best codec to use for HDV in iMovie to import into FinalCut Express?

By the way... This camera shoots awesome quality for the money. I suspect it will become one of Sony't most popular models.

MacPro, Mac OS X (10.4.8), Sony HDV-HC7 Camera.

Posted on Feb 28, 2007 2:08 PM

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Answer 1

Feb 28, 2007 6:35 PM in response to MacPro58276

Hi(Bonjour)!

HC7 should works (on paper...)

Did you use the correct setting in easy setup (Apple Intermediate Codec 1080i60 ) for capturing ?

Michel Boissonneault

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Answer 2

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

152,809 points

Feb 28, 2007 7:39 PM in response to MacPro58276

Try this

http://www.fcpbook.com/Video10.html

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Answer 3

MacPro58276 Author

Level 1

1 points

Feb 28, 2007 8:17 PM in response to MacPro58276

No trashing preferences is going to fix this problem. No codec setting is going to fix this problem.

My copy of Final Cut captures fine from my other two DV Camcorders.

Cannon ZR10 works fine with my Final Cut Installation.
Sony TRV-33 works fine with my Final Cut Installation.

Only HDR-HC7 fails to connect. FAILS TO CONNECT! Final Cut does not recongnize that a camera is connected. No codec setting is going to change the fact that Final Cut does not even know the HDR-HC7 is connected.

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Answer 4

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

152,809 points

Feb 28, 2007 8:30 PM in response to MacPro58276

Trashing the prefs is always a good idea after you've tried a capture and failed. That's a common time when prefs get corrupted. So if you want to go messing around with capturing it's a good idea to reset the application.

You should do this.

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=301852

If that doesn't work, and you're not willing to try anything, then I guess there's nothing for it.

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Answer 5

MacPro58276 Author

Level 1

1 points

Feb 28, 2007 10:11 PM in response to MacPro58276

Ahhhh!

I got it working. Apple Tech Support was no help. I discovered that you must set up the project with the right Sequence Preset! I set the sequence preset to Apple Intermediate Codec 1080i60.

It WILL do basic live capture. None of the shuttle controls quite work in this mode. But I suspect it will improve with updates.

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Answer 6

Mar 1, 2007 3:56 AM in response to MacPro58276

No, that the way it is. With HDV, you can only use the 'Capture Now' button. Just a limitation of FCE.

- Craig

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Answer 7

Apr 20, 2007 6:16 AM in response to Craig Cabrey

No, that the way it is. With HDV, you can only use
the 'Capture Now' button. Just a limitation of FCE.

- Craig

Well, that's no good. I've been trying to figure out how to use the shuttle controls with my HDR-HC7 and just came across this bad news.

So why is it FCE HD if we're limited to the HD controls? Frustrating.

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Answer 8

Apr 20, 2007 7:34 AM in response to Michel Boissonneault

Bonjour,
Je ne parviens pas à trouver l'endroit où poser une question je me permets donc de vous l'adresser directement. Savez vous s'il est possible d'acquerir des images en provenance d'une camera panasonic HDC-SD1EG-S (format avchd) avec final cut pro
5.1.4 ?

G5 2x1,8ghz ppc Mac OS X (10.4.9)

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Answer 9

Apr 20, 2007 3:08 PM in response to david saltiel

Bonjour (HI!) David,

C'est le forum Final Cut Express ici, et final cut express ne supporte nativement que le DV NTSC ou PAL et le HDV 720p ou 1080i60 ou 50.
Panasonic ecrit:"HDC-SD1
Hi-Def, 3CCD Palmcorder® Camcorder with Optical Image Stabilizer, Leica Lens and 5.1-ch Surround Sound, records to SD Memory Card"

Enregistrement sur carte SD.

Ce support n'est pas supporté directement mais le fichier peut être connverti sur le disque dur du mac et importé dans FCE.
--

It's the final cut express forum here, and FCE does support only DV NTSC or PAL and the HDV 720p or 1080i60 or 50.

Panasonic says:"HDC-SD1
Hi-Def, 3CCD Palmcorder® Camcorder with Optical Image Stabilizer, Leica Lens and 5.1-ch Surround Sound, records to SD Memory Card"

Recording on SD card.

This media support is not supported directly, but you can convert your files on your hard drive and import them in FCE.

Michel Boissonneault

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Answer 10

Apr 20, 2007 3:08 PM in response to rosaryarmy

Hi(Bonjour) rosaryarmy!

Tha's because FCE convert HDV to apple intermediate codec upon capturing process and timecode is loosed on conversion.

HDV is a compressed format that relies on GOP (group of pictures), so there is just one full frame for every .5 second and many "in-between" uncomplete frames.

Your computer has to re-build each frame to full image data on capture.

Michel Boissonneault

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