MAC and SONY HD Compatability

2Jayhawks here,

I am setting up my underwater videography system. I have a recent model IMAC with Final Cut Express.

I am wanting to get a SONY HD Camcorder because I like the quality of its manual white balance funtioning at depth.

I keep seeing mail about SONY and MAC compatability problems and wonder what is true and what is not.

I would like to hear from those having success using MACs and SONY HD camcorders and making HD DVDs.

I would like to know what you did to make the systems work, the settings maybe, and setting values...and how hard it was to do.

-

If possible, I'd like to set my system up as smart as possible.

Thanks in Advance for any tips offered.

Sincerely,

2jayhawks

Hello 2jayhawks,

We have an IMAC and have used it with the Sony HC3 and HC7, without any problems.

The only settings we had to change were the camcorders setting for output of video. Other than that, it has been a simply plug and play.

What issues have you seen with Sony and MAC?

Are you going to be burning HD DVD's or Blu-Ray?

I can confirm too, I have an iMac a Sony HC1 and a Canon XH A1, no worries at all. You can make HD DVD's pretty easily, but as Joe says you may also want to look at Blu Ray. I believe LG do a BR burner that although doesn't say that it works on mac does a pretty good job and is a heap cheaper than the Lacie version.

Works well, I am using Sony HDV camcorders and Final Cut Pro since the end of 2005...

2Jayhawks here,

I am setting up my underwater videography system. I have a recent model IMAC with Final Cut Express.

I am wanting to get a SONY HD Camcorder because I like the quality of its manual white balance funtioning at depth.

I keep seeing mail about SONY and MAC compatability problems and wonder what is true and what is not.

I would like to hear from those having success using MACs and SONY HD camcorders and making HD DVDs.

I would like to know what you did to make the systems work, the settings maybe, and setting values...and how hard it was to do.

-

If possible, I'd like to set my system up as smart as possible.

Thanks in Advance for any tips offered.

Sincerely,

2jayhawks

Hello - I'm new to this site and I have never done underwater photography. However, I do own a Sony HDR-SR12 and an iMac w/ Final Cut Pro v5. I can tell you that it is a pain in the but. Sony refuses to create a compatible format for the mac. I have to download everything into imovie and then transfer it over to Final Cut (in HD). And, while the latest version of Final Cut allows you to burn in HD, the mac does not come with an HD burner - you must purchase one separately (they are coming down in price). I've spoken with many people about this dilemma, some people choose to file transfer in Quicktime but I don't think the quality is as good. I am curious to see other replies to your question as well. Sorry -

Hi 2jay. Between the store, myself and my staff we have 8 different Macs (Mac Pro, iMacs, Macbook Pros and Mac Books) all of which are used with the Sony HD cameras. We have downloaded and edited footage from several Sony HD camcorders (HC series, SR series, FX series and now EX series) without any issues. All of our files are transferred into the MACs via either Final Cut Express, or Final Cut Pro and that is as easy as plugging the camera into the computer and either using Log and Transfer (if solid state camera) or Log and Capture if its a tape camera.

Using iMovie is just as easy. The only problems I have ever heard about from customers is there are sometimes issues with the Sony Software being used. Since you have FCE, you should not have any problems at all.

If you have any specifics, please do not hesitate to ask. Either myself or our editing specialist will assist you.