Help with JVC Everio on a MAC?

What PC software and set up should I use with my JVC Everio 30GB to create stop motion?

• Ideally I'd like to use onion skinning and be able to see what the camera sees on my PC monitor while capturing frames direct to my PC. The camera is a JVC Everio Hybrid 30GB Hard Disk Camcorder (GZ-MG130EK) and only supports USB, as opposed to firewire. Every forum I have checked has recommended firewire capture cards or has discussed Mac software such as I-Movie. I'd love to find something that will work on my PC and allow me to capture images directly. I do have a Firewire PCI port on my PC, but no firewire port on my camera. The PC software I have tried tells me that I don't have a capture device connected, even when my camera is turned on and connected to the USB port. I'd really appreciate any help anyone can offer with this problem. Thanks in advance.

• Answer:

  I don't know why they're recommending firewire exclusively, USB should work fine. I've done stop motion and traditional animation with cameras connected to a PC by USB and I had no problems. If you're having trouble getting your PC to recognize your camcorder, try downloading and updating the drivers from the company website. Also see if they can be recognized by the stop-motion programs listed below. It should be plug n' play, essentially. To actually frame-grab and compile the movie, I'd suggest using Monkeyjam if you're on a PC. It's free. http://www.giantscreamingrobotmonkeys.com/monkeyjam/ AnimatorDV: Simple+ became freeware. http://www.animatordv.com/download7 You can also check out this website for other stop motion animation programs; some free, some retail. I haven't used any of them (other than Stop Motion Pro) so I couldn't tell you if the rest of their features were any good or not, but at least it gives you other options. http://www.stopmotionworks.com/stopmosoftwr.htm For any specific questions, you should check out http://www.stopmotionanimation.com It's a message board filled with stop motion animators helping eachother out. They even have a handbook section that has basic answers and info on a variety of stop motion topics (armatures, sets, cameras, etc) http://www.stopmotionanimation.com/handbook/ Here are some online resources about the basic principles of animation. These principles can and should be applied to any genre or medium you choose to work in, whether that be drawn, CGI, or stop motion animation. http://www.idleworm.com/how/index.shtml http://www.awn.com/tooninstitute/lessonplan/lesson.htm http://www.animationarena.com/principles-of-animation.html http://www.animationmeat.com/notes/notes.html If you need more help or info, let me know.