Canon ZR50 to imovie import

[tlcohn]

I have tried everything I have read about how to import movies from my canon zr50 to imovie but nothing has worked. Does anyone know if it is possible?

[aedipuss]

hopefully you have mac with an ilink port(firewire/ieee1394/dv) as that's how the camera hooks to the mac - if so it should work just like all the guides say.

[rumplestiltskin]

What kind of Mac do you have? Does it have a FireWire port?

[tlcohn]

My Mac does have a firewire port and I tried connecting the camera that way. The camera was not recognized. I cannot switch to USB mode on my camera when it is connected to a firewire port.

[rumplestiltskin]

The ZR50 does not send any video out over USB; the USB port is for the SD card's photos (but a card reader works better for that). What version of iMovie are you using? What OSX version?

[tlcohn]

The OS X version I have is 10.5.8
iMovie '08 version 7.1.4 (585)

[edDV]

My Mac does have a firewire port and I tried connecting the camera that way. The camera was not recognized. I cannot switch to USB mode on my camera when it is connected to a firewire port.

What does USB mode have to do with importing video?

[tlcohn]

Apparently nothing. I'm just ignorant about how these things work.

[edDV]

If you set the camcorder to normal video mode with Firewire connected, iMovie should see the camcorder.

[tlcohn]

Are there camcorders that are not compatible though?

[edDV]

Are there camcorders that are not compatible though?

With Mac OSX? Yes the list is long.

[tlcohn]

I think mine is on that list. What other options do I have to get my videos to upload to iMovie? I tried burning them to DVD disc but couldn't import them that way. I tried connecting my external Dvd burner but it's not comparble with the Mac either! Is there any option other than buying another tape based camcorder that is compatible?

[edDV]

I think mine is on that list. What other options do I have to get my videos to upload to iMovie? I tried burning them to DVD disc but couldn't import them that way. I tried connecting my external Dvd burner but it's not comparble with the Mac either! Is there any option other than buying another tape based camcorder that is compatible?

The ZR50 is compatible. It is operator error or a faulty camcorder.

How can you "try to burn to DVD if you haven't captured to iMovie video first?"

External DVD burner?

[tlcohn]

Yes. external DVD burner. It is compatible huh? I couldn't find it on the list. So I should be able to plug the camcorder into the firewire port and imovie should read it right?

[edDV]

Yes. external DVD burner. It is compatible huh? I couldn't find it on the list. So I should be able to plug the camcorder into the firewire port and imovie should read it right?

iMovie doesn't connect with DVD burners. iDVD needs a certified burner.

You seem to have the wrong idea about a Mac. You do as they say. They have their way of doing things. They don't consumer test. If you are lost, you are supposed to see the priest (err Genius).

[tlcohn]

Funny....really. I am smiling and it takes a lot to make that happen right now. You were actually a huge help. I had to dumb it down for myself because I assume that everything that I try to do with this *@^((*# Mac is going to be a problem But YOU were right. Operator error. There was a connection that I was not even aware of in the front of my camcorder, a door that I had never opened before (I have only had this thing for about 8 years). Once I found the right connection and plugged it in to the FireWire port iMovie recognized it!!!!!!!!! Only three days of frustration but who's counting? It's a good thing i got started on this project early.

Thanks for your help!

[rumplestiltskin]

A-ha! It was a Pebkac* error.




*Problem exists between keyboard and chair.