How to use hyper cam?

How to use a Sony Handy Cam on iMac OS X?

• I have recently bought the new iMac desktop computer. I also have the Sony Handy Cam in which I have had for quite a while. When I used to use the Handy Cam on windows, i used a program called Picture Package. iMac will not recognize this program and the camera can not be recognized without any software. So I was wondering if there is an iMac program i can download in which will allow me to use my Sony Handy Cam via iMovie!

• Answer:

  "HandyCam is Sony's brandname for all of their consumer camcorders... whether miniDV tape, DVD, hard drive, Digital8 tape, flash memory - whatever... Since you did not tell us which Sony Handycam, this makes it a challenge. Your new iMac (congratulations) has 1 firewire 400 port and 1 firewire 800 port. Since you say you have had the Handycam for a while, I will guess that it is either miniDV or Digital8 tape - and I presume you are not referring to any analog camcorders. Neither came with a firewire cable in the box. USB is used ONLY for transferring stills from a memory card. USB will not be recognized by iMovie to import DV (or HDV). You are not missing any software - but you do need a cable. You need to get a 4-pin to 6-pin firewire cable to connect the DV port of the camcorder to the firewire 400 port of the iMac. The camcorder needs to be in "Play" or VCR" or "Edit" mode - this will be a selection on the power control. It is strongly recommended that the camcorder also be [plugged in to AC power with it's power adapter. Launch iMovieHD, name the file (top of the window) and select the DV format you captured the video (DV or DV Widescreen). Click create or enter and the iMovieHD windows will appear. You will Import the video... DV imports real-time, so 1 hour of DV will take 1 hour to import. You can also use a 4-pin (camcorder firewire 400 DV port) to 9-pin firewire 800 cable to connect to the firewire 800 port on the Mac - this will not speed up the digital video import because the limiting factor is the DV port on the camcorder. If the camcorder is something other than MinDV or D8, please repost your question - with the model of the camcorder or at least the type of storage media it uses.