I have a Panasonic NV-DX110B Digital Video camera which is equipped with DV Input/Output.
The camera was connected by an Apple Firewire cable to an Apple DV iMac. iMovie recognised the camera and displayed the camera's view. The Apple iMac captured the video take and we were able to edit etc.
The problem arose when we tried to export the edited movie back to the Camera's tape. The Apple iMac confirmed it was 'exporting' and the camera confirmed it was recording, but the LCD monitor on the camera was 'blank' as was the footage on the recorded tape.
Thought it could be aproblem with an isolated iMac. So we changed from a Dv to an SE but again with no success.
Thought it may be a problem with an isolated Panasonic camera. So exchanged the camera for another new one, but again with no success.
It has been suggested that Apple will have to provide uptaded OHCI compatible drivers for its FireWire ports. Is this so?
Has anyone else experienced a problem exporting to a Camera fitted with a DV Input.
Hi,
I hate the way people keep saying export to DV. All you should be doing is pushing the play button on the controller. Then put the camera into record, if the device control didn't do it. At that point you should see video on your monitor/camera. The export to video is for a different device all together.
Hope this gets you up and running, Lou
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[email=lou@imagefx.co.uk]lou@imagefx.co.uk[/email]
www.imagefx.co.uk
Lou,
Uncertain why you hate the word 'Export'. It is the terminology used by Apple!
Apple's instructions for 'Exporting to Tape'
Once you have created a Movie in iMovie you can export the final movie to your DV camcorder or deck. To record your movie to tape.
Choose Export Movie from the File Menu
Choose Camera from the 'Export to' pop-up menu.
Use the default values.
Click the Export button!
We did all that and more at an Apple Centre with no success.
Ronnie
This from Apple's less-than-intuitive website help pages:
Panasonic Camcorders
If you attempt to export to tape and the camcorder LCD flashes the message "Check DV Input" then enters REC/Pause mode, but never actually starts recording, do the following:
1. Stop the camcorder and cancel the export.
2. Add a few extra seconds of black before the recording, or increase the time to wait for the camera in the Export Movie window.
3. When you export to tape, watch for black frames being sent to the camera on the LCD then press the "Still" button on the camcorder's VTR controls to begin recording.
The url for this is http://www.apple.com/imovie/gear/
Hope this helps.
Bob C
Bob,
I appreciate your suggestion. However I already visited the Apple site and although my Panasonic did not exhibit the symptoms we increased the wait time etc, all as suggested but with no success.
The suggestion that Apple will need to provide updated OHCI compatible drivers for its FireWire ports originates from Digital Origin, as their products can not use the built-in FireWire ports on the iMac DV computers at this time. Indeed some of Apple G4 Power Macs are equally not usable by Digital Origin.
On the G4 the problem can be overcome by using Digital Origin IEEE 1394 FireWire interface board which then requires the entry of a 'software key' code during installation which can be down loaded from the Digital Origin web site at no charge.
Unfortunately this fix does not apply to the Apple iMac as the computers do not have an expansion slot to accomodate the Digital Origin interface board.
I tried the Panasonic on an Apple G4 computer and experienced the same 'Export' problem which appears to suggest the incompatibility of the Apple drivers. Have not had an opportunity to try on a G4 fitted with the Digital Origin interface board.
I do think Apple needs to inform potential purchasers of the iMac it will not function with ALL DV input/output cameras only those compatibile and it would be helpful if they then listed those cameras, there are not many with those features here in the UK?
Bob,
Can advise that Panasonic Camera problem not unique - similar problem exists with JVC GR-DVL9600.
John Lewis at Handforth Manchester are Apple dealers and made a promotional movie which they successfully down loaded to an Apple iMac with iMovie. After editing they are unable to 'Export' the movie back to the JVC camera.
Hi ronnie,
Sorry, I thought you might be useing Premire. That might be an answer, try to get hold of even the light version, just to see if that overcomes the problem. I have to admit your problem smacks of hardware/software conflicts.
regards, Lou
A rambling note, or just point on the graph...
I use a Sony GDV300 with my iMac DV S/E.
The very first time I used iMovie to Export to video, I had the very same thing happen. It simply recorded black onto the tape. I rewound and tried again, and it worked fine, and I've never encountered the problem since.
I read somewhere that switching the camera off and back on again sometimes helps in these situations.
You might want to also check out http://www.macintouch.com/imac.html today which has a note about getting Final Cut Pro working on an iMac. Something about changing the firewire drivers...
Cheers
Guy