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Using the JVC Everio Video Camera with Apple iMovie ’06

Effective Living > Technology > Apple > iMovie 06 HD

Summary. This document is to assist those doing their own video conversion. If you would like to have video conversion done for you, click here for a list of video conversion service providers.

Analog Video Transfer Using a Video Converter. It is possible to play video from the JVC Everio video camera in “real time” using standard RCA audio video cables (included with the camera) and a video converter box such as the Canopus ADVC-55 or the Canopus ADVC-110. The video can be imported into any version of iMovie using this method. The camera connects to the video converter box and then the video converter box connects to the computer using a firewire cable.

Direct Transfer of Video Files. The JVC Everio video camera has the ability to directly transfer video files from its internal hard drive to a computer. This takes less time than waiting for the video to play all the way through. Presumably the video would be in higher quality when transferred directly (digitally). However, the transfer process does require a conversion to iMovie compatible files. Below are steps to perform direct transfer of video files.

  1. The JVC Everio video camera files are not compatible with iMovie ’08. So, iMovie ’06 needs to be used. If iMovie ’06 hasn’t been installed, download and install iMovie ’06 from the Apple website here: http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/imovieHD6.html
  2. The Everio QuickTime Component should already be installed. If it isn’t, install it from the CD that came with your JVC camera.
  3. Connect the USB cable from the video camera to the computer. On the back of the camera, the USB cable plugs in to the left of where the power cord plugs in below the battery.
  4. Turn on the camera. On the video camera display, “PLAYBACK ON PC” will be selected. Use the select navigation knob (in the middle to the left of the display) to move down to highlight “BACK UP” then press the navigation nob to select “BACK UP” so the computer can recognize the video camera as a hard drive. The display will now show icons indicating the camera is connected to the computer.
  5. When starting iMovie choose New Project (or select this from the File menu). Under Video Format, choose DV Widescreen. You may need to click on the triangle to the left of Video format to see the menu of options (clicking on the words Video format will do nothing).
  6. From within iMovie, choose Import from the File menu to open the desired video files from the JVC hard drive. It will be displayed as EVERIO_HDD. The video files will most likely be found in the PRG001 folder found in the SD_VIDEO folder on the EVERIO_HDD. The files will be named something like MOV00A.TOD, so it will be necessary to import them and view them to see which files you want.
  7. Once imported, use iMovie as normal.

If iMovie is unable to import the video, it may be that your computer operating system or software isn’t compatible with the JVC software.

Resources. Additional resources for the JVC Everio HD Camera GZ-HD7.

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Categorized as Technology

By Greg Johnson

Greg Johnson is a freelance writer and tech consultant in Iowa City. He is also the founder and Director of the ResourcesForLife.com website. Learn more at AboutGregJohnson.com