imac + imovie + video camera

[newkiid]

I just got a 20" imac and my hitachi HDD-DVD video camera doesn't work with imovie, so I want to sell that and get a good video camera that seamlessly integrates into imovie, any suggestions?

 

[Chris204]

I'm having the same problem with my video camera. It's fairly new too, so I don't know what the deal is. I connected it via Firewire, but iMovie doesn't pick it up.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[SheriffParker]

Have either of you ever been able to capture footage into iMovie before, or is this your first time?

 

[Chris204]

First time for me. When I go to the capture option, the only device listed is iSight, but it should be able to pick up a Canon Mini DV camcorder as well.

 

[jerry1]

Let's start w/ the obvious... you are using a DV cable and not a USB cable...correct?

I ask because mine has both. The USB is for taking data of the SD card and the DV cable is for importing video from the mini DV tape.

 

[fivepoint]

I just got a 20" imac and my hitachi HDD-DVD video camera doesn't work with imovie, so I want to sell that and get a good video camera that seamlessly integrates into imovie, any suggestions?

Almost all cameras should work with iMovie. I would recommend making sure that you have the camera connected through a firewire cord, you have the camera plugged in/charging/and on, and that the camera is in play/edit mode.

From there, do a simple search on apple.com/support for video importing in iMovie to make sure you are following those steps correctly.

I have no doubt you'll get it working.

 

[Chris204]

Yep, I'm using a firewire DV cable. I got it working last night. I did some research and found that it could be an issue with the camera's date/time. My time wasn't set, so I unplugged the camera from the DV cable and set everything. I restarted my iMac just for good measure and plugged everything back in. iMovie recognized it right away.

 

[newkiid]

Thanks for all the info. Here's to answer a few of the responses, i am connecting via USB, my camera does not have a firewire. It only has USB and A/V connections. The date and time are correct on my camera. Yes i have footage in imovie that came from other cameras. Any suggestions on any other type of video camera that works seamlessly with imovie? Thanks for all the info.

 

[fivepoint]

Thanks for all the info. Here's to answer a few of the responses, i am connecting via USB, my camera does not have a firewire. It only has USB and A/V connections. The date and time are correct on my camera. Yes i have footage in imovie that came from other cameras. Any suggestions on any other type of video camera that works seamlessly with imovie? Thanks for all the info.

I think what everyone is saying is that we'd be very suprised if your camera in fact doesn't work seamlessly with iMovie.

Make sure your camera is in editing/viewing mode, and that you have it 'charging' while you prepare to edit in iMovie.

That is the best advice I can give you... and if you can't get it to work and are looking for a new one, just about EVERY camera works with iMovie. I would suggest you buy one based on quality, and leave the compatibility to Apple. Almost ALL of them work perfectly with iMovie.

 

[newkiid]

I think what everyone is saying is that we'd be very suprised if your camera in fact doesn't work seamlessly with iMovie.

Make sure your camera is in editing/viewing mode, and that you have it 'charging' while you prepare to edit in iMovie.

That is the best advice I can give you... and if you can't get it to work and are looking for a new one, just about EVERY camera works with iMovie. I would suggest you buy one based on quality, and leave the compatibility to Apple. Almost ALL of them work perfectly with iMovie.

Thanks for all the info, i set up a one to one appointment at a nearby apple store to really resolve this issue. Hopefully we get it to work there otherwise it's a new camera for me and I will sell this one to a pc kid. I will post a thread based on what happens, God bless.

 

[fivepoint]

Thanks for all the info, i set up a one to one appointment at a nearby apple store to really resolve this issue. Hopefully we get it to work there otherwise it's a new camera for me and I will sell this one to a pc kid. I will post a thread based on what happens, God bless.

Good luck. If you find that it indeed doesn't work, then repost here or in another thread, and I'm sure someone will give you some guidance on what to choose.

 

[jerry1]

DISCLAIMER: I'm NO expert!

I didn't spend much time contemplating this when I started working w/ iMovie but I think I remember that you need to use firewire for iMovie video and USB for iPhoto?

For my camera, I took that as firewire for mini-DV video and USB for downloading off of the SD card (which can take pictures or lower quality video).

 

[jerry1]

NewKid...

How did the tutor session go? What was the problem?