Scrambled footage when I transfer footage from XL1 to my computer (I-Mac) the footage is scrambled. What is the problem? I tried a different firewire and still scrambled.

This type of camera downloads video with a Firewire (Sony call this i.Link) connection. Some mini-DV and D8 cameras have a USB connection which is used for stills ONLY.

There is a Sony tutorial page for downloading video to computer at THIS LINK You will need to select Macintosh as the operating system (and press the Transfer to Mac button), then Mini-DV as the camera type, then select the type of connection. You are strongly recommended to use i.Link (which everyone else calls Firewire).

Sorry but the only way to transfer the tape is to be able to play it in a compatible camcorder or player. Then use one of the analog to digital converters "available on the internet" to transfer it to a PC.
Best bet is to ask some friends if they have an old camcorder that will be able to play that video cassette for you.
Sidenote: If the cassette is fairly new it might already be recorded in digital format, in which case you only need a compatible camcorder or player and a USB or Firewire cable to import it into your Mac

Hope this helps, don't forget to vote if the answers you seek are helpful.

Yes, you can transfer the videos from the Camcorder to the Mac Computer.

Connect the Camcorder to the Mac Computer using i.LINK/Firewire or USB cable.

I suggest that you use the i.LINK/Firewire cable to connect it to the Computer. The i.LINK port is also called IEEE 1394 or Firewire port. An i.LINK is a black D shaped connector with 4 or 6 pins. The type of cable to be used will depend on the i.LINK port of your Computer.

After connecting the Camcorder to the Mac Computer, open the iMovie Application to capture the Videos from the Camcorder and follow the on-screen instruction to complete the transfer of the videos.


Good Luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No such thing s a dumb question, I transfer from my Canon XL1 to my Mac IBook with firewire all the time. You have three choices: 1. Buy a cable with two different ends - one that will fit your camera (the tiny one so small it is hard to insert) and one that will fit the Mac. Your Mac should have two different types of firewire ports - the semi-round one and the square one that looks like a USB port, but isn't. The symbols are different  for firewire ports firewire and USB ports. But all firewire ports, regardless of the configuration will have the firewire symbol and all USB ports will have the USB symbol.  Either firewire symbol port will work. I have two different firewire ports on my MacBook G4 and use them both,  I keep a bunch of firewire connectors around. They usually come with outboard hard-drives in various configurations. Sold en Ebay or at computer stores Solution 2: Feed your firewire through an outboard drive that will accept the 400 firewire (many do) and then take another firewire, say an 800, from that drive into your computer. I always capture to a hard drive then edit from there. The idea of a firewire bus is that you can connect a number of drives in parallel and mount them all. Available for as little as $69.
Solution 3: Buy a firewire port card for you MacBook which slips into a slot on the side, and gives you connectivity with the 400. It also frees up your main firewire port. I bought one on Ebay for $24 that came with all the adaptors. I was pulling my hair out too until I figured out the system.

Hi!
You cannot transfer the video from Mini-DV to SD card within your camera as your camcorder does not have this feature. If your purpose for finding this function is to transfer your footage to your computer, you may try using the firewire port in your camera to connect it to your pc.
If you need help with the firewire connection, feel free to post a follow up.
Hope this helps!

This is not a sarcastic reply - it's genuine. If you're serious about making video, switch to a Mac. I use an XL1 or 2 every day, never have a connection issue. Regards, Nik

you must use the third party software convert your video files format to final cut express support formats.such as dv,mp4,mov
if your video files is .tod format,you can use tod to final cut express converter.
http://www.fceconverter.com/tod-to-final-cut-express/
if it's .mod files format, you can use mod to final cut express converter
http://www.fceconverter.com/mod-to-final-cut-express/

I believe that camera only works with firewire. You might want to check with Canon to see if there is compatibility problems with Macs. I know it works on Windows computers.

the back of the camcorder is not all the way tight when you drop it you must need a new back on it or tap it doem

Make sure you have a firewire port on your computer. If not, go out and buy a firewire card. Then purchase a firewire cord. plug your camera into the firewire port using the firewire cord, boot up your video editing software (I use Adobe Premiere, personally. Final Cut Pro is the best to use if you're running a Mac), and capture your footage. Edit your footage if you'd like and all that stuff, and then export the video to your desktop. You'll then have the same quality of what you shot in one file.