[typhoon]

I'm trying for the first time to connect my camcorder to my Powerbook and using iMovie to import my clips, but all I get is a "No camera attached" error message and I don't know what to do (I've searched the web and tried all the suggestions for these problems)
I've also found out that others have successfully used the same camcorder with iMovie, although they've referred to older versions.


Here's my system:

- 15" Powerbook G4 (very latest version) with 512 Mbytes RAM and 80 GB internal hard drive
- MacOS 10.4.3
- Imovie HD 5.0.2
- Sony PC-120E (mini DV camcorder, PAL system)
- 4 pin/6 pin Firewire cable connected between the camcorder and the Firewire 400 port

Nothing else is connected to the computer.

On the camcorder's LCD display it says "DV IN", so at least the camcorder understands it's connected to something, but the Mac doesn't recognize it. I've tried looking in the Apple system profiler under the Firewire section, but there's no sign of the camcorder there.
Now I'm going to do the typical "every 2 months windoze thing" of reformatting/reinstalling everything from scratch, using the supplied installation DVDs that came with the computer, hoping that'll help

Any suggestions or ideas?

[jlincoln]

I'm sure you've already done this, but make sure your camera is on and in "play" mode before launching iMovie.
You may also try deleting the plist files from Library/Preference would be my first step.

If that doesn't work, BTV, http://www.bensoftware.com/btv.html, and using it with your camera. This may help determine if the issue lies with iMovie or the connection/camera setting, as suggested below.

I came across this online, thougth you may have already seen it:

Sony camcorder special fixs:

1. Turn your camcorder to Play mode.
2. Press menu button (or relevant touch-screen button)
3. Click the 'ETC' item and then to CONTROL.
4. Select i-link (and not IR).

or

1. Turn your camcorder to Play mode.
2. Press the Menu button (or relevant touch-screen button)
3. Scroll down the Menu to the 'ETC' option, if there is one
4. Click the 'ETC' item and choose 'VIDEO EDIT' if it's there
5. Click 'VIDEO EDIT' and 'MARK 1 IN' may appear
6. Click on 'MARK 1 IN' and then exit from the Menu options, by pressing the Menu button again

found here: http://www.danslagle.com/mac/iMovie/usage/5020.shtml

Hope that helps.

JL

[typhoon]

You're a Godsend, jlincoln!
I had never seen that menu option before, but it solved the whole issue, so right now I'm busy importing my first short video so I can learn how to do basic editing in iMovie.
Thanks again a million and have a great Christmas!

[jlincoln]

I'm glad that helped. It's no fun to be frustrated right before you're about to begins somethign fun.

Take care,

JL

[typhoon]

I was hoping that was it and problem solved, but alas not

I must have been lucky last time, because I can't seem to reconnect. I've followed all the instructions here as well as tried disconnecting the Firewire cable with and without the computer on, rebooting etc.
I've also trashed the iMovie preference file (I found a file called "com.apple.iMovie.plist" residing inside the "Library/preferences/ folder which was found within my user-area).

What gives?


PS. To make sure my Powerbook and camcorder is actually hooked up I downloaded a control-panel called "Peripheral vision" which detects anything connected to the USB, Bluetooth, Firewire etc. ports. Sure enough, when having the camcorder connected and switching its power on I got a Firewire icon popping up with "DCR-PC120E", which of course is the model of my camcorder, so at least that part is OK.
I assume the problem lies with iMovie then.

[jlincoln]

How did it work with BTV? If that works when iMovie doesn't, you may just need to attempt a clean install of iMovie. You could also try to find a trial version of Avid for Mac. Also, double check those camera settings to make sure they didn't revert back.

I wish I had more suggestions to add. Sorry I can't be of any further help. If you have an Apple Store in your town, you could probably make an appointment at the Genius Bar, but it may cost you.

You may also want to find someone in your town who does wedding videography or another post produciton house. Most likely, they'll have at least a couple of Macs on hand. They may be able to let you try connecting your camera to thier Mac and your Mac to one of thier cameras to help narrow the problem. I find that fellow Mac users tend to be pretty friendly.

You may also want to try this at retail store. If you concealed the fact that you were trouble shooting and told them you were interested in buying, they'd probably let you use their gear in the store.

[typhoon]

Originally Posted by jlincoln

How did it work with BTV? If that works when iMovie doesn't, you may just need to attempt a clean install of iMovie. You could also try to find a trial version of Avid for Mac. Also, double check those camera settings to make sure they didn't revert back.

Well, BTV didn't do the trick either I'm sad to say.
But the camcorder is kind of recognized anyway (screenshot).
However there's no video to be seen on the Mac even though I've made sure "iLink" is set on the camcorder instead of "IR" as instructed earlier.

I've been trying to follow similar discussions here and there and there's been some talk of being sure to set audio to 44.1 KHz which I've already done in the "Audio MIDI setup" application which is found in the "Utilities" folder within "Applications" on the Mac (here's a screenshot of my settings.)
But in BTV I noticed that one of the audio settings was set to 48 KHz, and I can't find out where to change this (screenshot).
It still says 48 KHz, so that drop-down menu in the same screenshot apparently only has to do with the "In" sound setting. I have no idea what the "Rec" sound setting is as I've already set both input and output of the Mac to 44.1 KHz as you've seen from the audio-MIDI setup screenshot.

It seems that a lot of other people are having similar problems as me. I haven't found a forum for the Sony PC-120e that I have, but I did find one for similar Sony camcorders, where this thread discusses problems with Firewire/capturing.

Someone in the thread argues that the problem might have to do with not using an "iLink" cable from Sony, which sounds weird to me, but you never know....
Could there be any truth to that? I thought "iLink" was just a Sony name for "Firewire", just as "IEEE-1394" is yet another name for the same thing. Are there indeed different pinout possibilities for these cables? I just bought a "noname" Firewire cable with the correct physical connectors at each end from a corner PC store.

What's very strange indeed is that I have successfully been able to capture video from the camcorder using this cable. But it seems to me that it's very important to get the initiation sequence right. At this stage I don't know if I should plug the camcorder into the Mac with power on, while booting the Mac without the camcorder powered on, the camcorder powered up first, then plugging into the Mac without power on.... the possibilities are endless!

From what I've read, Sony have gone to great lengths to make it hard for non-PC users to connect their camcorders to whatever they have (in this case a Mac of course), so if anyone here with a Sony camcorder of any kind of model can tell me about their experiences and even more important: the sequence of initiation, that could prove to be very helpful to me.

[jlincoln]

At least it appears not to be your computer.

Looks like i.Link and firewire are slightly different, http://www.answers.com/topic/firewire, but I can't see the difference making a difference for you, and I guess you proved that with your 'no name" cable. I honestly don't think you'd have to use a Sony branded iLink cable. I didn't even think that it could be something as simple as a worn out cable. Just goes to show that it's often the little things. Seems like it's working, but the setup is a pain. Some friends with a PD-150 have made similar comments that Sony and Apple don't play well together.

As far as sequencing goes, I'd thing that having the camera on and in "VCR" mode before starting iMovie should to the trick. I don't really see why it would matter when the camera is plugged in and if it or your Mac are on or off.

This is from the Final Cut Pro manual on connecting your camera:

To connect your DV camcorder or VTR to your computer:
1 Connect the 4-pin connector on one end of your FireWire cable to the 4-pin FireWire
port on your camcorder.
Important: Some DV decks may use a 6-pin FireWire connector instead of a 4-pin
connector. Make sure you use a FireWire cable that matches the connector on your
video device.
2 Connect the 6-pin connector on the other end of your FireWire cable to a FireWire 400
port on your computer.
3 Turn on your VTR or camcorder, and switch it to VCR (or VTR) mode.


Frankly, I find it odd that the sampling rate would create an issue, but I've seen stranger. I think that route is a wild goose chase and I wouldn't spent too much time on it.


jlincoln

[typhoon]

After posting the above message I began asking myself if it could be something as simple as a bad connection, so both ends as well as the camcorder connector with isopropyl alcohol. That didn't seem to make a difference at first, but to my amazement I occasionaly got a connection!

I can't say for sure, but it seems like there's a bad connection somewhere; either the cable itself is bad (despite being brand new), or the Firewire connector in the camcorder is to blame (this also sounds unlikely, considering that although I have travelled with and used this camcorder a lot during the past few years I haven't ever used the Firewire connector before I recently got my Powerbook). But nothing amazes me any longer when it comes to computers and technology

I tried to open up my camcorder to have a look at the Firewire connector (now that the warranty has expired anyway, and I'm a bit of a handyman), but quickly had to give it up because of the complexity in assembling the unit. Perhaps I can find a service-guide for it somewhere, telling me how to open it up). Since I don't know anyone else with a Firewire cable I might just have to buy a new cable and see how that goes.

Originally Posted by jlincoln

At least it appears not to be your computer.

Looks like i.Link and firewire are slightly different, http://www.answers.com/topic/firewire, but I can't see the difference making a difference for you, and I guess you proved that with your 'no name" cable. I honestly don't think you'd have to use a Sony branded iLink cable.

I had a look at that link (great site!!) and I completely agree that those pins would make a difference. Actually it would have been the other way round that could cause problems: having Sony cables which are missing those power pins.

I have seen suspiciously cheap Sony cables at ebay. Not sure if they're genuine or not given their low prices, being brand new.. Hmm....
Sony generally have a tendency to overprice everything.

As far as sequencing goes, I'd thing that having the camera on and in "VCR" mode before starting iMovie should to the trick. I don't really see why it would matter when the camera is plugged in and if it or your Mac are on or off.

Again, much to my amazement, it looks like that part really doesn't matter that much any longer
I had my camcorder and computer connected together this morning, turned on the Powerbook to check my mail and decided to check out iMovie again with this issue.
It looks like it really doesn't matter if I have VTR (or VCR) mode on when connecting the two together, but the control buttons (play, pause, rewind etc) are greyed out until I set the camcorder to VCR/VTR mode. I've been able to disconnect, then reconnect the Firewire cable, and with a wiggle (and VTR/VCR mode on) gotten iMovie to recognize it again.
So it surely looks as if there's a cabling or connector problem. I'm glad I've narrowed it down!!

This is from the Final Cut Pro manual on connecting your camera:

I'll take a note of that as doing it the "right way" might avoid any issues further down the road.
So you're using Final cut pro? As I'm just starting out I thought I'd see how much I would be able to do with iMovie, then possibly move on to Final cut express ("pro" is too expensive for my home-video use). What are the main differences, and what are the biggest limitations of iMovie?
(I've got iMovie HD 5.0.2).

Frankly, I find it odd that the sampling rate would create an issue, but I've seen stranger. I think that route is a wild goose chase and I wouldn't spent too much time on it.

Looks like you're right. I just got concerned because one of the Apple help documents talks about setting audio to 44.1 KHz and also making sure the clock on the camcorder is set correctly.
Honestly though, in my case it seems like there's just a connection problem which I hope to solve soon. Thanks again!

[typhoon]

Take a look at this!
The first time I've seen my camcorder show up in the "Firewire" section of system profiler

[jlincoln]

I've read that some firewire cables are listed as "i.Link compatible" I don't know if this is hooplah or if it makes a difference, but it might be worth your while to look for.

The main reason I use FCP is for 24p editing. I shoot with a Canon XL2. If I were not in need of 24p I'd probably just use FCE. I don't really do anything too fancy with FCP. The main advantage FCE and FCP have, for me, over iMovie is color correction tools.

[jlincoln]

hey, for what it's worth, apparently this, http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0390538/, was edited in iMovie.

[42sonja]

I'm able to connect my camcorder to my Powerbook and use iMovie to import my clips, but i cannot import the picture from the memory stick. I tried iphoto as well, but all I get is a "No camera attached" error message.
I found a work around, I copy the images to the tape and then import them, but I hope there is a direct import possible.

- MacOS 10.4
- Imovie HD 4.0.1
- Sony PC-120E (mini DV camcorder, PAL system)
- 4 pin/6 pin Firewire cable connected between the camcorder and the Firewire 400 port

[jlincoln]

this is just speculation since i don't have one of those cameras, but some cameras use firewire for the video and USB for stills from the memory stick. My Canon does this, it also has a tape/memory card toggle that I need to change before it will access the appropriate source.

[42sonja]

I tried USB as well with iphoto and imovie - it didn't help.