Need to hook up panasonic GS36 to mac!?

Question

I've been trying to figure this out for over a year. I have a Panasonic GS36 videocamera and a macbook pro that's a year old.

Last year I bought a firewire - I can't remember which one - and it didn't fit..... tried a few other things that fit... wouldnt work..

Today I went to staples and BROUGHT my camera. The guy gave me a USB thing.... it fits. HOWEVER, IT EITHER WON'T READ THE VIDEO OR I'M DOING IT COMPLETELY WRONG!!!

The pictures I have on my camcorder show up, but that's all.

I thought it might just not be mac-compatible, but I just tried it on a dell and it still doesnt work....

I'm really tired of this. Like, really tired. I feel like I'm missing something really simple.

All I want to do is edit these videos -- I have tons of performances of friends that I feel bad for not being able to get to them.

Nothing online ever helps. I've read so many different suggestions to other people (with different cameras) but nothing works.

I'm going crazy.

You're my last hope.

Thank you. :-)

Answer 1

Something that might help. You definitely need the right cable.

http://www.ischool.utexas.edu/technology...

Answer 2

I did a search at Panasonic.com for a GS36 - and it pointed me to the GS39. The Panasonic PV GS39 camcorder uses miniDV tapes. ALL MiniDV tape camcorders connect to an Apple Macintosh using a 4-pin (camera DV port) to 6-pin (Mac Firewire400 port). ALL Macs made in the last 10 years or so have a firewire port - They look like the USB port, but there is a notch out of one corner.

iMovie will not recognize video coming in using the USB port. USB is used ONLY to transfer stills from the memory card.

The manual for the PV GS39 camcorder is here:

http://www2.panasonic.com/consumer-elect...

See page 13 - item 19 for the location and appearance of the DV port - it is right next to the flatter USB port.

Firewire, DV, i.LINK and IEEE1394a are all the same thing.

Also note that item 19 references pages 54-55 and 67-68. Page 55 and 67-68 talks about connection to a computer - specifically, 67 tells you what mode tha camcorder needs to be in and how to import with iMovieHD.

NEVER connect the USB cable and the firewire cable at the same time to the computer and the camcorder.

When the camcorder is connected to your Mac with the firewire cable, and the camcorder is in Play mode (and the camcorder is plugged into an AC outlet - you don't want to import using batteries), launch iMovieHD - you can then Import the video.

Answer 3

on a Dell pc:

GS36, a miniDV vcam, must be iLink / FIREWIRE400**-connected to pc to upload video thru video capture or video editing* software while vcam is ON PLAYBACK.  Note: DV or Firewire port of vcam is 4pin. Before cable purchase** (Vcam/4pin=>firewireCABLE=>PC (4/ 6pin?), check pc for DV or firewire port, whether 4 or 6 pin. If none, install firewire card: pci for pc or pcmcia for laptop.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firewire    

for starters, free Windows Movie Maker* (Vista/wmm6 & XP/wmm2) provides simple & easy way to learn the ropes < click help for details>. Upgrade to intermediate or pro video editing applications accdg. to need & skill level

http://video-editing-software-review.top...

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/shop/13543...

      

video editing process- Vista/wmm6

      >>> open wmm- start/all programs/wmm->TASK pane

1. Import video stream** - editing software remotely controls vcam operations

2. Edit- drag/drop video files->timeline & enhance w/effects, transition, music & titles

3. Publish (render)- save Movie (OK for youTube), also, save Project.msmmw file

      >>> Share=>auto-shifts to WindowsDvD authoring app->burn to DvD

Similarly: XP/wmm2- Capture/Edit/Finish- DvD authoring app, e.g.,DvD Flick or Nero

For details, visit:  http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using...