by Christine Smith • 2020-10-28 17:31:25 • Proven solutions
Connecting a camcorder to Mac is not very complicated and is not so different from connecting it to a PC, but it must be done properly in order to achieve a good result. This way, it is advisable that you make sure to be informed on whether the connection method works and how to follow the right steps before actually connecting them.
After connect and download media files to Mac, you can watch them with your favorite media player, or convert to other video formats for further editing in iMovie, Final Cut Pro, QuickTime, etc. Read the following parts to learn the easy steps to convert and connect camcorder videos on Mac.
Part 1. Steps to Import Photos and Videos to Mac
Any camcorder that has Firewire (IEEE1394, Sony i.Link) and is capable of playing your Hi8 tapes will feed directly into your Mac, via the aforementioned Thunderbolt adapter. Failing that, you. This video shows how to copy files from a Sony Handycam to a PC. The model I'm using is an HDR-CX405. Just connect the USB cable and set it to use 'MTP' inst.
What you need to connect the camcorder to Mac
A 6 pin or 4 pin cable. Usually, camcorders need a 4 pin cable end in order to be able to connect to the Mac, although sometimes they might allow a 6 pin end as well.
Step 1 Make sure your camcorder is set to the correct mode for importing photos and videos. For information on which mode to choose, see the instructions provided with your camcorder. If your camcorder has a sleep mode, make sure it is disabled or set to a time increment long enough to allow your images and videos to download.
Step 2 The first step is to locate the four-pin FireWire port on your video camcorder. On most video camcorders, you'll find it located under a plastic or rubber boot. Leave the video camcorder powered off and simply lift the boot from the camcorder and insert the smaller four-pin end of the FireWire cable into the FireWire port of the camcorder.
Step 3 Once the camcorder is connected, take the other end of the FireWire cable, the larger six-pin end, and insert it into your Mac's FireWire port. When both of the cables are connected, you can turn on the power to your video camcorder.
Step 4 In a few seconds, your Mac should automatically launch iMovie. Follow the on-screen instructions on your Mac and begin the video transfer from your video camcorder to your Mac.
Part 2. Tips for Connecting Camcorder to Mac
1. How to watch VHSs or DVDs using Mac?
If you wish to watch VHSs or DVDs by using your Mac, it is also possible. In order to achieve such a goal, you would need a converter box that would convert the video signal into a signal which your Mac would recognize and then allow you to watch. This converter box would intermediate between each device and would cause both their signals to be compatible.
When working with a converter box, you would need to connect it to the video source and the Mac. This way, you would need to use the cables necessary for both connections, and you should make sure they are the correct ones. It is recommendable that you learn how to achieve this before trying to do it properly. If you have any doubts, you should always consult each device owner's manual or call the manufacturer's customer service for advice.
2. How to use video from your connected or built-in iSight camcorder?
You can use your iSight camcorder to record video directly into your iMovie project. This means you can spontaneously add clips to your project while you're working on it. Just connect your iSight camcorder to your Mac's FireWire port, and you're ready to start recording. If you have more than one camcorder connected, such as an iSight and a camcorder, or you have an iMac with a built-in iSight-choose iSight from the pop-up menu that appears when you switch to camcorder mode. Alternatively, you need to convert the camcorder to iMovie compatible video formats, such as MOV.
Part 3. How to Convert Camcorder Videos Easily on Mac
If you want to play or edit the videos exported from your camcorder, the formats are sometimes not supported. Then you need a professional video converter like Wondershare UniConverter, which can help you convert camcorder videos to MOV, MP4, and other 1000+ formats. Learn the detail steps about How to Convert Camcorder Videos Easily on Mac >>.
Wondershare UniConverter - Your Complete Video Toolbox
- Convert camcorder AVCHD/MTS/M2TS files to MP4 or other 1000+ formats on Mac.
- Edit camcorder videos with trimming, cutting, merging, adding subtitles, applying effects, etc.
- Compress the camcorder video size smaller without losing any quality.
- Download and record videos from 1,000+ popular websites by simply pasting URLs.
- Burn camera videos to DVD/ISO/IFO files with an attractive free DVD template on Mac.
- Transfer camcorder videos from Mac to iPhone/iPad/Android devices easily.
- The toolbox includes Fix Media Metadata, GIF Maker, Cast to TV, Video Compressor, Screen Recorder, DVD Copy, etc.
- Supported OS: Mac OS 10.15 (Catalina), 10.14, 10.13, 10.12, 10.11, 10.10, 10.9, 10.8, 10.7, 10.6, Windows 10/8/7/XP/Vista.
The article mainly guide you through how to convert Sony Handycam files so that you can edit, play, share or upload your Sony Handycam videos on Mac and Windows with ease.
The Sony Handycam was the first camcorder released specifically to fit in the palm of the user's hand. Over the years, the Handycam has evolved from using analog formats such as VHS-C and Hi8, to digital solutions such as MiniDV and DVD.
What's more, owing to its professional capturing ability with 1920*1080 Full HD AVCHD format, the Sony Handycam becomes one of the hottest camcorders on the market.
However, it is difficult for Mac or Windows users to play and edit the Sony Handycam AVCHD videos due to its high rate compression and special codec.
'I want to use Windows Movie Maker on my Windows 7 to edit videos from Sony HandyCam camera, but the problem is that I can not deal with the MTS video files. Anyone here can help me?'
'I have checked carefully that FCP 7 can deal with AVCHD videos. But why I always get the error message? Have you met the same problem? Pls help. PS: the AVCHD video is from my Sony Handycam camcorder.Thank you in advance'
In order to make the AVCHD videos from Sony Handycam compatible with Windows and Mac, the easy workaround is to convert the Sony Handycam files. For this purpose, this article mainly shows you how to transcode Sony Handycam videos for editing, playing, sharing or uploading in detail. Below is how.
Guide: How to convert Sony Handycam AVCHD videos on Mac and Windows:
First of all, free download Brorsoft MTS/M2TS Converter for Mac or Windows:
(Note: Click here for OS X 10.5)
The MTS/M2TS Converter is an easy-to-use yet professional app which can be used as a Sony AVCHD AVCHD MTS Converter under OS X Leopard (10.5), Snow Leopard (10.6), Lion (10.7), Mountain Lion (10.8). It is free, clean and safe to install and use. With it, you can effortlessly convert Sony Handycam MTS files to MP4, MOV, FLV, AVI etc. videos for different uses, and it works well and converts flawlessly. Just make sure you get the right version according to your computer's operating system.
P.S. The quick start guide below uses the MTS/M2TS Mac screenshots.
Step 1: Install and launch Sony MTS Converter on your Mac. Transfer your footage from your Sony Handcam camcorder to the software.
Tip: If you want, you can merge several AVCHD clips by ticking 'Merge into one' box.
Step 2: Click 'format' bar to choose the output format. There are many output format for you to choose.
For Mac User:
For Windows User:
Step 3: Tap 'Settings' button to customize the output parameters, adjust the resolution, bitrate as you want.
Step 4: Click conversion button to start transcoding Sony Handycam AVCHD videos on Mac & Windows.
Sony Software For Handycam
After AVCHD conversion finished , you can click 'Open' to find the output file. Then playing and editing Sony Handycam AVCHD files on Mac&Windows becomes easy and smooth.
Tips:
1. For your original 1080/60i footages, you need to deinterlace 1080/60i AVCHD footages to remove all these interlacing artifacts from videos via ticking the 'Deinterlacing' box in the Video Editor interface.
2. 3D conversion. The Red-Blue/Red-Green 3D conversions are supported.
3. Crop: Edit --> Crop and you can get the imported videos cropped as you want.
4. Double click the imputed file, you can preview your footages in the software window.
Sony Handycam Download To Mac Installer
Related Guides:
How to edit Sony Handycam files in Windows Movie Maker
How to Load Sony Handycam AVCHD videos to Mac
