txhoss 0 #1 December 24, 2008 I just purchased a new Macbook and am having the time of my life trying to figure out how to get the thing to recognize my PC109 so that i can download some video. Is there a special program that I need to run or a secret that someone can pass along? I am new to the Mac thing and am still trying to figure this thing out. Thanks. Have Rig will travel ... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PharmerPhil 0 #2 December 24, 2008 You're not giving much to go on (what software, which connection, what do you see/not see). But I'll point out the obvious first. Connect the camera with Firewire only (USB won't work). Connect camera first, turn on camera second, and then open your video editing/capture software. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Skwrl 56 #3 December 24, 2008 iMovie will recognize the PC109 automagically, but (as Phil points out) if it's connected via the firewire port. I found that sometimes I needed to open iMovie, then toggle on and off the camera for it to detect it. If you have one of the new Macs that does not have a firewire port, I'm not 100% sure how you would connect it. PM me if that's the case, I can ask around if no one else chimes in with the correct answer.Skwrl Productions - Wingsuit Photography Northeast Bird School - Chief Logistics Guy and Video Dork Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
txhoss 0 #4 December 24, 2008 That is the case, i do have one of the new Macbooks with no fire wire port. I tried the USB and as you guys have said, no luck. I have no special software on it yet as i am having a hard time figuring out what to get. Have Rig will travel ... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
davepend 0 #5 December 26, 2008 I remember seeing on the MacInTouch website (http://www.macintouch.com) a discussion running about the new MacBooks and their lack of firewire ports. It specifically discussed the issue of downloading from video cameras that only have firewire ports. I don't recall of the solution involved a Firewire to USB adapter or what. The MacInTouch site is pretty well laid out and you should be able to search for and find the discussion there. Hope this helps. -dp p.s. Congrats on your new MacBook. I checked them out at the Apple Store when they came out. Nice machines. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PharmerPhil 0 #6 December 26, 2008 I didn't know the new MacBooks didn't have firewire. But I think this would make me question them as a good choice for a video editing system. Even if I had a card-based camera, I would still want a firewire port for external hard drives to capture video to. Just my too sense. I would love to hear of any solution you come up with, or anyone else's experience using one of these for NLE. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HSPScott 0 #7 December 30, 2008 The new macbooks/ macbook pros come with a firewire 800. From what I understand, you will need an 800 to 4-pin like this one: http://www.cablestogo.com/product.asp?cat_id=606&sku=50706 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PharmerPhil 0 #8 December 30, 2008 According to Apple's site, there is no mention of any firewire on the new MacBook (there is a FW800 port on the Pro though): http://www.apple.com/macbook/specs.html Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
imdskydiver 0 #9 April 4, 2009 I just bought a new MacBook ( used mainly for work ) It never dawned on me to look for the fire wire port because my past machines all had it , So i try to hook up my HC90 and my PC105 and zippo , So now i don't really have any options for a camcorder , Tape based needs fire wire , Hard Drives don't work well for skydiving and Card based media doesn't work well on a mac, Are there any options out there for me or do i just settle on using my old cameras on my old Ibook . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PharmerPhil 0 #10 April 4, 2009 QuoteI just bought a new MacBook ( used mainly for work ) It never dawned on me to look for the fire wire port because my past machines all had it , So i try to hook up my HC90 and my PC105 and zippo , So now i don't really have any options for a camcorder , Tape based needs fire wire , Hard Drives don't work well for skydiving and Card based media doesn't work well on a mac, Are there any options out there for me or do i just settle on using my old cameras on my old Ibook . Card based cams work fine on a Mac. They will just be slower on ingest (but it shouldn't be any slower than the real-time ingest of tape-based systems). Sounds like you need either a new camera or a new computer. Personally, I would go with a newer card-based camera. You will not have a super speedy system*, but you will be shooting HD and can always upgrade your computer later. *The lack of firewire bothers me not just for ingesting DV or HDV, but for not being able to hook-up a decent external hard drive on a separate buss. The basic Macbooks (non-Pros) not only have no FW, but also no SATA option. IMHO, a decent editing system would keep all media on an external hard drive using one of those protocols. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mnskydiver688 0 #11 April 4, 2009 They still sell the white MacBook with Firewire, but they did update the bus speeds to 1066mhz. So just throw in some more memory and upgrade the hard drive and you have a decent system. With Firewire. That is why I am glad I got a MacBook before they scrapped the Firewire 400. As DSE has mentioned before, using XP in boot camp can overcome the speed issue with card based cameras if you want to edit natively in AVCHD. Also, with the faster bus speeds you might have some luck using Adobe Premier in OSX. It supports native editing of AVCHD. As far as XP you can find volumes of DSE talking about Vegas. I ordered a copy of Movie Studio Platinum, but the disc was bad so I have to wait to get another copy from Sony . Good luck and hopefully USB works ok as a scratch disk. Oh you can pick up an OEM full version of XP for $150 on Tigerdirect. Sky Canyon Wingsuiters Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DSE 5 #12 April 4, 2009 You have an Express card port on your Macbook, right? Express card to firewire are only about 50.00 at your local best buy... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mnskydiver688 0 #13 April 4, 2009 No Express card on the MacBook, just MackBook Pro.Sky Canyon Wingsuiters Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
murrays 0 #14 April 4, 2009 It has FW800 doesn't it? Is there a way to use FW 400 in the 800 port? Cable adapter or something?-- Murray "No tyranny is so irksome as petty tyranny: the officious demands of policemen, government clerks, and electromechanical gadgets." - Edward Abbey Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mnskydiver688 0 #15 April 4, 2009 MacBook Pro has FW800 not the regular MacBook.Sky Canyon Wingsuiters Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
howardwhite 6 #16 April 4, 2009 QuoteOh you can pick up an OEM full version of XP for $150 on Tigerdirect. I recently got one for $89 here. They're local to me and I've done business with them before. HW Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mnskydiver688 0 #17 April 4, 2009 Now you tell me.... Edit: I got XP Pro so it is still around $150 Sky Canyon Wingsuiters Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
