downloading to a mac

[cowen]

ok, I'm new to the video world. When I hook up a camera (Canon EOS) to my Mac, iPhoto instantly recognizes it. So far, I haven't figured out how to download footage from the HV20. The disk that came with the package seems to be only for still shots. Will iMovie recognize the hv20? Anyone else using a mac and know how this works? I read somewhere that I need a firewire cable. Is this true, or should the supplied cables be enough?

Thanks

[Mal]

Yes, you'll need a firewire cable; ALL these cams work the same way; if it has picture-taking ability, it will be via USB (included cable) & and any video is [almost] always via firewire (cable not included).

[rehoot]

This is a modified version of my original message. My original message was so WRONG that I will try to edit it here.

I had thought that I needed a female 4-pin firewire cable, but the regular cable worked when I pressed just a tiny bit.

Here are some links to firewire cables that will do the trick to connect to a Mac
http://www.dcables.net/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=24

http://www.mycablemart.com/store/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=303

IMPORTING INTO A MAC FROM THE CANON HV20:
I imported from the HV20 into a Mac Pro by first installing EOS Utility (which might not even be necessary ??) then going into iMovie and creating a new document using the File/New command and selecting the appropriate type (HD). Connect the camera from the HDV/DV connector on back of the HV20 to the firewire slot on the Mac using a cable like the ones in the links above. Play the video on the HV20. From iMovie, click the little camera icon that is immediately below the area where the movie image displays, and you should should see "HV20" as an available camera. You should then see the moving playing on the screen. Click on the "Import" button on the movie screen to import.

Thanks for the feedback.

[Mal]

What kind of firewire cable? I have a couple cables (4-pin mini to 6-pin regular firewire) but the little 4-pin seems to be the wrong gender....[].....I think I need 6-pin male to 4 pin female, but I haven't seen it yet.

No, that is the correct cable (at the HV20 side, not sure about the computer side as it could be either 4pin or 6 pin).
Have you TRIED plugging it in?
Also, the firewire connection is halfway between the toggle switch and the viewfinder on the rear of the HV20......just making sure you are plugging into the right hole! :hv20-smilie77:

[rehoot]

No, that is the correct cable (at the HV20 side, not sure about the computer side as it could be either 4pin or 6 pin).
Have you TRIED plugging it in?
Also, the firewire connection is halfway between the toggle switch and the viewfinder on the rear of the HV20......just making sure you are plugging into the right hole! :hv20-smilie77:


THE REGULAR FIREWIRE CABLE WORKED! I didn't press it at all the first time because it did not look like it would fit. I modified my post above to describe how to import to a Mac per the original posting on this thread (and to remove my original message, which would confuse and scare new HV20 owners!).

thx.

[newbie-here]

Yes, you'll need a firewire cable; ALL these cams work the same way; if it has picture-taking ability, it will be via USB (included cable) & and any video is [almost] always via firewire (cable not included).

Thanks Mal, I wonder why I couldn't upload my videos, only to find out that only USB cable is inluded when I bought the kit and it's only use for transferring still images.....:hv20-smilie51: lessons learned :hv20-smilie51: I will have to buy firewire cable then.....any suggestions??? thanks again. .. .