06-28-2004, 09:51 PM

I'm trying to use a Sony DCR-PC9 NTSC with iMovie and a Powerbook G4 and I keep getting a "No Camera Attached" message. I tried cycling the power (turning cam off/on), unplugging the camera battery, bringing the date and time up-to-date and also tried ejecting and re-inserting the cassette. Finally, I tried the special SONY solution at this user site: http://www.danslagle.com/mac/iMovie/usage/5020.shtml

(going to "VIDEO EDIT," setting to "READY," and then setting MARK IN in the VIDEO EDIT menu), but nothing improved.

These are my settings:

"TAPE SET->REC MODE is set to "SP"
A/V->DV OUT is "ON"
"DISPLAY" is set to "V-OUT/LCD"
"VIDEO EDIT" is set to "READY"
"EDIT SET-> CONTROL" is set to "I-LINK"
"DV-IN" appears on the LCD screen whenever I plug in the FIREWIRE/I-LINK

Is there a special mode (in the FN Menu or elsewhere) to employ with this camcorder in order to export to the computer? (I have been trying to use "VCR" mode.)

My older camcorder (a Sharp VL-NZ100) works with iMovie, using the same ILINK/FIREWIRE cable.

Is the Sony DCR-PC9 NTSC different from the Sony DCR-PC9? I have a PDF manual for the latter, and it some options seem different.

Is this a commonly-reported problem with SONY? If anyone knows what to do, please let me know. I can't wait to get this thing working!

Kuritarou

06-29-2004, 08:00 AM

Have you tried Apple's troubleshooting?

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=43000

Apple indicates that the DCR-PC9 is compatible with iMovie 3 & 4.

http://www.apple.com/macosx/upgrade/camcorders.html

08-20-2004, 06:30 PM

I've just found a posting suggesting that some Sony video cameras will NOT output video over the FireWire (iLink) connection while a Memory Stick is installed in the camcorder. I'd be very interested to hear whether this is your problem.

03-19-2008, 04:51 PM

I have the same problem with my macbook, which doesn't recognize my camcorder dcr-pc9. I am sure it's because I didn't install the camcorder software on my computer. I lost that software, does anybody where I can download it?

03-19-2008, 11:16 PM

The manual should tell you how to set up the camera and even which switch to set to such as VCR mode.

One thing is to confirm the Mac is even seeing the camera. With the camera connected and turned on; Click on About this Mac under the Apple menu, click the More Info... button, under the Hardware tab in the window that appears, click on Firewire. A list of devices found shows up on the right and you camera should show up if it is working properly. If not, try the same thing with your other camera to see what I mean.

03-24-2008, 11:09 AM

I am not familiar with this cameras modes, but with my Panasonic Mini-DV, to import to iMovie the camera must be in Play mode.