Kathleen
Hi - thank you so much for your response. It was really helpful! The camera is a Canon SR900 - I just checked. Any more info would be helpful
Answer
I searched "Canon SR 900". There is none. There's a Canon SD 900 - that is a digital still camera that happens to take very highly compressed video as a convenience. It does not have a firewire port so there is no reason for you to look for a firewire cable for this camera to import video to the computer.
You will want to download and install MPEG StreamClip:
http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/video/mpegstreamclip.html
To get the video from this camera (not a camcorder) to your Mac:
1) Get a card reader. This connects with a USB cable.
2) Take the memory card out of the camera and put it in the card reader.
3) Locate the video files (the directory structure and fil location is described in the camera's manual).
4) Copy the filed from the card to the Mac.
5) Launch MPEG StreamClip and convert that video file to a MOV or MP4 files. Quit MPEG StreamClip.
6) Launch iMovie. Drag the converted file to the iMovie Capture area - or the Clips pane - then drag to the timeline and edit.
IF the camcorder is a Canon ZR900, then you need a firewire cable. The ZR900 is a miniDV tape based camcorder. You will connect the camcorder's DV port to the Mac's firewire port.
If your Mac is a MacBook made between October 2008 and June 2009, there is no firewire port and no way to add one. If your Mac is a MacBook Air there is no firewire port and no way to add one. If your MacBook was made before October 2008 or after June 2009, or any other Macintosh made in the last 10+ years, it has a firewire port. Older Macs use a 6-pin firewire 400 connection - newer ones use a 9-pin firewire 800 connection.
To know which your Mac has (assuming it has a firewire port), under the Apple (top left corner), select "About this Mac". Click on "More Info". The "System Profiler window will appear. On the left, under Hardware, click on Firewire... it will show "up to 400 Mb/sec" or "up to 800 Mb/sec"... then you know which connector you need - the camcorder's DV port is always a 4-pin...
I searched "Canon SR 900". There is none. There's a Canon SD 900 - that is a digital still camera that happens to take very highly compressed video as a convenience. It does not have a firewire port so there is no reason for you to look for a firewire cable for this camera to import video to the computer.
You will want to download and install MPEG StreamClip:
http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/video/mpegstreamclip.html
To get the video from this camera (not a camcorder) to your Mac:
1) Get a card reader. This connects with a USB cable.
2) Take the memory card out of the camera and put it in the card reader.
3) Locate the video files (the directory structure and fil location is described in the camera's manual).
4) Copy the filed from the card to the Mac.
5) Launch MPEG StreamClip and convert that video file to a MOV or MP4 files. Quit MPEG StreamClip.
6) Launch iMovie. Drag the converted file to the iMovie Capture area - or the Clips pane - then drag to the timeline and edit.
IF the camcorder is a Canon ZR900, then you need a firewire cable. The ZR900 is a miniDV tape based camcorder. You will connect the camcorder's DV port to the Mac's firewire port.
If your Mac is a MacBook made between October 2008 and June 2009, there is no firewire port and no way to add one. If your Mac is a MacBook Air there is no firewire port and no way to add one. If your MacBook was made before October 2008 or after June 2009, or any other Macintosh made in the last 10+ years, it has a firewire port. Older Macs use a 6-pin firewire 400 connection - newer ones use a 9-pin firewire 800 connection.
To know which your Mac has (assuming it has a firewire port), under the Apple (top left corner), select "About this Mac". Click on "More Info". The "System Profiler window will appear. On the left, under Hardware, click on Firewire... it will show "up to 400 Mb/sec" or "up to 800 Mb/sec"... then you know which connector you need - the camcorder's DV port is always a 4-pin...
Panasonic 3 CCD camcorder?
Dj Lab Rat
I'm lookin to buy a panasonic 3 ccd camcorder. can anyone recommend a good model. Preferably not priced very high. Also how would you rate the GS 500 vs. GS 400. And how would you rate the GS 180
Answer
I would recommend buying the PV-GS500, or PV-GS400, depending on what you plan to use it for.
Ratings-
PV-GS500: 7.5/10
PV-GS400: 8/10
I rated the 400 higher because it has more manual controls, and for me, that is really important. But if you don't plan on using manual controls as much, than the 500 would be better for you.
PV-GS400:
Pros: Excellent manual control for a consumer camcorder, 3CCD, great video, wireless remote, wired remote (with zoom button, mic, and record), Optical Image Stabilizer, pop up flash, 3'' LCD screen, Manual Focus/Zoom ring, top loading tape.
Cons- Low light filming, portability
PV-GS500:
Pros- Manual Zoom ring, flash, 3CCD, excellent video, true widescreen, Optical Image Stabilizer, top loading tape, wireless remote.
Cons: Small LCD screen for shooting 4:3, Low light filming, portability.
So here is where you make the decision. I would recommend the PV-GS400 if you what to have superior manual control and great video. But, i would recommend the PV-GS500 if you would rather have slightly better video quality. Also, the 400 is hard to find these days. You can get a 500 for as cheap as $449 online. The PV-GS400, however, is hard to find under $900. Either way, these camcorders are both fantastic and you would be happy with either of them.
P.S.
I would rate the PV-GS180: 6/10
Its video isn't as sharp as the previously discussed camcorders. It has no focus or zoom ring. However, it is a very good cam for its price.
I would recommend buying the PV-GS500, or PV-GS400, depending on what you plan to use it for.
Ratings-
PV-GS500: 7.5/10
PV-GS400: 8/10
I rated the 400 higher because it has more manual controls, and for me, that is really important. But if you don't plan on using manual controls as much, than the 500 would be better for you.
PV-GS400:
Pros: Excellent manual control for a consumer camcorder, 3CCD, great video, wireless remote, wired remote (with zoom button, mic, and record), Optical Image Stabilizer, pop up flash, 3'' LCD screen, Manual Focus/Zoom ring, top loading tape.
Cons- Low light filming, portability
PV-GS500:
Pros- Manual Zoom ring, flash, 3CCD, excellent video, true widescreen, Optical Image Stabilizer, top loading tape, wireless remote.
Cons: Small LCD screen for shooting 4:3, Low light filming, portability.
So here is where you make the decision. I would recommend the PV-GS400 if you what to have superior manual control and great video. But, i would recommend the PV-GS500 if you would rather have slightly better video quality. Also, the 400 is hard to find these days. You can get a 500 for as cheap as $449 online. The PV-GS400, however, is hard to find under $900. Either way, these camcorders are both fantastic and you would be happy with either of them.
P.S.
I would rate the PV-GS180: 6/10
Its video isn't as sharp as the previously discussed camcorders. It has no focus or zoom ring. However, it is a very good cam for its price.
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