I've tried using the ADS PYRO A/V Link to connect my Sony Handycam (video Hi8) via A/V cable - Firewire. It just flat out won't work in iMovie. What's another recommended device that I can use to import videos from my Handycam (which has no Firewire port) to iMovie?

Thanks,
Mason

[galenea]

What version of iMovie are you using? The Pyro A/V works with iMovie "classic". You may need to download iMovie 6 (free from Apple) if you are using the latest version.

Originally Posted by galenea 

What version of iMovie are you using? The Pyro A/V works with iMovie "classic". You may need to download iMovie 6 (free from Apple) if you are using the latest version.

I've tried it with iMovie 6 and iMovie '08. They both show it as a device initially, but it will stop importing after I click "Import". I have the camera on VTR mode (playback). Do you have any other ideas as to why this won't work? Seems like people on Apple Discussions have had similar problems (but they didn't post any helpful answers).

Thanks,
Mason

[galenea]

Is the device plugged into a port on your MBP, or into a hub?

Is the device powered externally or through your firewire port? If it's receiving power through the port, try using an external source.

Do you have any other quicktime programs open that could potentially interfere with communication to the Pyro A/V? Any program that uses a video source could be a problem (iChat, QuickTime, etc..) If so, quit and try again.

Is the Pyro A/V listed in the firewire devices in the Apple System Profiler?

The setting of the camera is not that important- it's in analog mode and not controllable by iMovie.

Can you see video in iMovie before you hit import?

Do you have sufficient space on your hard drive?

Are you recording the video to the internal drive, or to an external?

Try removing any other firewire devices if they are connected.

Let's see if any of these help.

Good luck.

First off, I am not using a MacBook Pro with this. The device only works with an external power source. Anytime when doing these movie imports, I only have one application open. I'm recording these movies into an external FireWire drive. No I cannot see the video in iMovie before hitting the import button. Oddly enough I remember it stopped working with my Mac after the 10.4.7 or 10.4.6 update. It used to work before then. I've re-installed and restored my Mac back to 10.4.4 and it did not work at all. Strange, huh? Thanks for your suggestions. I'll try using the device with no other USB or FireWire devices plugged into my Mac.

Mason

[galenea]

I'ld be willing to bet it's the external firewire drive. I have never been able to capture DV video with iMovie to an external firewire drive. If the drive has USB ports, then plug it in via USB. Otherwise, capture to the hard drive, then quit, unplug Pyro, plug in external drive, copy movie to external and edit.

Hope this helps.

Hey,
Thanks for the tips, but it still won't work. I've tried recording with nothing at all connected to my Mac (besides Power Supply) and it just won't work. Do you know of any other devices that will import videos from a Sony Handycam Hi8?

Thanks,
Mason

[galenea]

Your next best solution would be to buy a DV camcorder with A/V passthrough capability. eBay may be your friend here as there are usually at least a handful of DV cam's with passthrough up for auction.

Sorry you couldn't get the Pyro to work.

But wait, why would I need to if my current Sony Handycam Hi8 has an Audio/Video port on it?

Mason

[galenea]

You need to convert the analog video into digital. iMovie doesn't do A-to-V conversion and wouldn't know what to do with the signal coming out of the A/V ports on your Handycam. The Pyro was supposed to do A-to-V conversion, but didn't live up to the hype. A digital DV camcorder with A/V passthrough will take your analog video and convert it to DV on the fly, allowing iMovie to directly import it.

If buying a new/used camcorder gives you the willies, you can try to find the Sony Media Converter- it does what the Pyro A/V claims to do- take your analog video and convert to DV on the fly and connect via firewire.

Another alternative would be to buy one of the those USB TV dongles. There are a few companies that make these items. Make sure the TV receiver has A/V ports. The drawback here is that these TV receivers are not directly compatible with iMovie, and so you will need to capture your video using a DV codec first, then open iMovie and import. An extra step, but it may save you some money compared to the options above.