Connecting Macbookpro & Sony PC4E

Hi all,

I just bought a MacbookPro 15 inch with 2 Gb of RAM.
I connected (brand new Firewire cable) my old Sony DCR-PC4E camcorder to transfer those dozens of DV tapes I never edited but it is not recognized by my mac.
Apple reseller pushes me towards Sony.
Sony pushes me towards Apple.
Apple helpdesk in France has no clue about camcorders.

It seems there is no specific driver pour PC4E.
This is my first mac so I do not know where to search.

Thank you for your help

So when you open iMovie and flip the little tab onto the camera icon, you get the 'connect camera' message?

Aptmunich said:

So when you open iMovie and flip the little tab onto the camera icon, you get the 'connect camera' message?

Click to expand...

Thank you for your answer.
I do not even get the camera icon when the camcorder is plugged.
I unplugged/plugged the firewire cable, switched off/on the camcorder, no effect.
iSight camera is the only choice within iMovie.
Do I have to turn it off in some way ?

Well, I'd like to help you, but my iMovie is currently crashing 2 seconds after opening... I'll try to get back to ya...

EDIT:
Ok, we're back (a simple reboot seems to have cured that issue).

You'll notice next to the camera icon is a little grey arrow. When you click on that, do you get the option to select your sony?


I just checked out the camera, very strange that it isn't working, I've used an almost identical Sony with my iBook before - it worked without a hitch! You don't normally need drivers for firewire DV cams...

Is the camera in VCR mode? (I.e. is it set for playback).

Aptmunich said:

You'll notice next to the camera icon is a little grey arrow. When you click on that, do you get the option to select your sony?

Is the camera in VCR mode? (I.e. is it set for playback).

Click to expand...

The grey arrow opens to iSight and accelerated mode but does not show my Sony. Yes I switched the camcorder on Play mode.

Are they any additional options for outputting the video stream on the camera itself?

For the record, the problem seems to be with my video camera, the firewire interface being dead. Everything works fine using a PC5E that I borrowed for the transfer.
Sorry for the pollution and thanks for trying to help.

Ah okay, good to know it's not a general issue...

Hard luck dude, hope you can get it fixed!