New Mac User Needs Help With IMovie

[matt21white]

Hi,

I have just bought my first Mac, a 20" IMac, which is great, however, I cannot seem to get my camcorder to transfer video to Imovie. It is a Panasonic NV-GS150. It shows as being connected in the system profiler, and when in photo mode shows on the desktop, and transfers images. But when in VHS (playback) mode it does not appear. I know the software that came with the camera was only for windows, but I thought the big thing with Mac, was that no drivers needed, " just plug in and play". Can anyone help me on how to get my video off the tape and onto I Movie. PLEASEEEEEEEEEEEE.

 

[Willis]

Nice camera. iMovie should just rewind the tape and import it over. hmm. im not sure. My mini-DV works fine

 

[Darwin]

What kind of cable are you using?

For transferring video you need to use a Firewire cable since that is what iMovie supports, not a USB one

 

[matt21white]

Im using a USB 2 cable as that is the only port the camera has for connection. Looking at Imovie help, it says it will work with USB but wont be able to auto clip file.

 

[Darwin]

Yes I think I've found the piece that you are referring to

When you import footage from an MPEG-4 device connected by a USB cable, each video file is imported as a single clip into your project; iMovie HD does not break it up into clips automatically. You cannot use the capture controls to import your video or control your camera, nor can you use the Magic iMovie feature to import video automatically.

UPDATE: If the model number that you have given me is correct then I'm seeing in the specs on a few sites that this camera does in fact have support for Firewire

Could you confirm that this site is talking about the same camera:

link

 

[gauchogolfer]

Im using a USB 2 cable as that is the only port the camera has for connection. Looking at Imovie help, it says it will work with USB but wont be able to auto clip file.

You'll need to get a 4-pin to 6-pin Firewire cable to import DV footage. They are cheap and readily available. Your camera does have a firewire connection, all the Panasonic DV cameras do. The iMovie help file you saw only applies to video recorded in MPEG-4 format, not DV.

Get the FW cable and all of your problems will go away.

 

[matt21white]

Yes, Thats my camera.

I see where you say it supports fire wire inputs, is this what I need , and also, where do i plug in a cable as there is only a usb port. Is this 4 wire to 6 wire firewire cable the same connection???

Thanks for this help it is really great.

 

[matt21white]

AHHHHHHH

Eureka.....

Thanks to you both I think I have found what I need. Would the port I am looking for be marked "DV", be rectangular, about .75cm in size and have a small notch in the left side.???

 

[gauchogolfer]

Yes, Thats my camera.

I see where you say it supports fire wire inputs, is this what I need , and also, where do i plug in a cable as there is only a usb port. Is this 4 wire to 6 wire firewire cable the same connection???

Thanks for this help it is really great.

Actually it says it supports firewire 'outputs' and that's what's important here. There is certainly more than only a usb port. It might be labeled 'DV' 'FW' 'iLink' but it certainly exists. The 4-pin cable plugs into the camera, the 6-pin side into your computer.

Amazon link to FW cable; it looks like this:

6-pin is on top, 4-pin on bottom. That should match up with the DV port you see on your cam.

The DV port is under the LCD in the lower right-hand corner:

 

[matt21white]

Many Thanks,

You have been most helpful, Im away to buy a cale now. Hope I can return the favour to you one day.

All The Best

Matt

 

[gauchogolfer]

You're very welcome, let us know how the importing goes, and check out the Digital Video forum for iMovie questions you might have. Most importantly, dive in and start trying stuff and see what happens.

Cheers

 

[p0intblank]

Make sure you don't end up paying a premium price for this cable... check out newegg.com and cablesforless.com. Do NOT go to Best Buy. They're a rip-off.