iMovie not recognizing camera (Canon ZR 700)

Hello there,

Just a few days ago we got our first Mac - an iMac 24". We had a great deal of problems with it from the beginning - going through the step-by-step set-up the computer froze, and then we had to install the operating system discs.

Now I am having nothing a lot of trouble with iMovie, when trying to transfer video from our camera. I was successful at getting iMovie to recognize the camera (over firewire) this evening and transfer some footage, but then the program crashed, over and over again.

I would get it started and transferring, and it would just crash.

I also installed Final Cut Express after iMovie crashed and it doesn't recognize the camera either.

Now, after unplugging the cables, the power, restarting the computer (and almost resorting to praying...) neither iMovie or Final Cut are recognizing it.

Does anyone have any suggestions whatsoever? We are definitely newbies with Macs but are eager to learn so we can take advantage of all of the great things we can do with it.

Thank you in advance.

Tamara and Konrad