How to use a camcorder?

How to Use a Pal Camcorder on an iMac

• Answer:

  The video from a camcorder that records to videotape is not compatible with any mobile device--for example, an iPod or iPhone. Convert the video from a PAL camcorder in the same way as you would a video on an NTSC camcorder--by copying the video to a computer such as an iMac. The procedure requires an analog-to-digital video converter, of which there are a number available for purchase. The converter comes with its own program, so there's no additional software needed. Once the camcorder video is converted to a digital file, it can be played on the computer or transferred to any mobile device desired. Difficulty: Moderate Things You'll Need Analog-to-digital video converter Installer disc Camcorder cable Instructions Place the camcorder next to the iMac. Plug the camcorder plug at one end of the camcorder cable into the camcorder's output socket--typically this will be behind a side panel but can also be exposed on the bottom. Plug the video cable at the other end of the camcorder cable into the composite video input on the analog-to-digital video converter. Plug the left and right RCA audio plugs at the end of the camcorder cable into the left and right RCA audio inputs on the analog-to-digital video converter. Plug the analog-to-digital video converter's USB connector into a USB port on the iMac. Insert the installation disc that is included with the analog-to-digital video converter into the iMac's side loading slot. Wait for the icon of the disc to appear on the desktop. Double-click the icon of the disc to open its window. Double-click the installation program's icon inside the window. Follow the menu commands to install the digital converter program onto the iMac's hard drive. Drag the disc's icon to the trash when the installation is complete. Remove the disc from the iMac once it has been ejected from the drive. Turn on the camcorder. Press the "Menu" button. Select "Video out mode" from the list of choices presented. Press the "Menu" button. Double-click the icon of the iMac's main hard drive. Double-click the "Applications" folder that is inside of the window that appears. Scroll down to the digital converter program. Launch the digital converter program by double-clicking its icon. Click the "Next" button on the program's screen when it appears. Check the "Composite video" checkbox on the new screen that appears. Click the "Next" button. Check the "Stereo audio" checkbox on the new screen that appears. Click the "Next" button. Press "Play" on the camcorder to start the tape playing. Press the "Record" button on the digital converter program's screen to start recording the tape as a digital file to the iMac's memory. Press the "Stop" button when the tape has finished playing. Turn off the camcorder. Disconnect the cables from between the camcorder and the analog-to-digital video converter. Remove the analog-to-digital video converter's connector from the USB port of the iMac. Click the "Next" button on the digital converter program's screen. Name the digital file that is about to be saved from the camcorder's tape in the "Name" text field at the top of the window that has appeared. Select "Desktop" from the "Locations" drop-down menu near the middle of the window. Click the "Save" button at the bottom of the window to return to the program. Wait as a copy progress bar at the bottom of the screen fills in from left to right. Quit the program when the copy progress bar has completely filled in.