Anyone know of software for a Mac that lets you connect a Sony DCR HC38 camera and download video?

Question

What is the deal with Sony and Apple? They seem to snub Apple and Mac. I can't believe that they don't make software compatible with the MOST POPULAR computer with editors and graphic designers.

There must be a hacked bit of software out there that will allow me to download and edit my video.

Answer 1

The Sony DCR-HC38 is a miniDV tape based camcorder. They work great with Macs... As do ALL miniDV tape based camcorders. You need to get a 4-pin to 6-pin firewire cable, then iMovie (bundled with OSX) will recognize the camcorder. USB will not work (used only for transferring stills off the memory card if that camera is equipped). It won't work with Windows either, so this is not an Apple issue. (USB USED to work with Windows, but no one is updating the USB drivers and the video was not DV format when transferred.)

The camcorder needs to be in "Play/Edit" or "VCR" mode.

I do this all the time with my Sony HDR-HC1 and HDR-FX1 camcorders... and have done the same thing with Panasonic, Canon and JVC miniDV tape based camcorders.

ALL Macs made in the last ten years or so have a firewire 400 port... the only exception is the new MacBook Air which, with its small hard drive size is not designed for editing video.

http://shop1.frys.com/product/4338375?si...

Answer 2

Even MAC needs a firewire connection to connect a minidv camcorder to your pc.