[Chris Deutsch]

Hi,

I work for JVC and would like to try and help.

Any of our JVC HD Everios from 2008 on that record in the AVCHD format (.mts file extension) will work very nicely with a recent Apple with the latest version of Final Cut Pro.

Apple was actually one of the first companies to really get behind AVCHD, and as long as your Mac has an Intel processor it will work fine. Final Cut Pro has supported AVCHD, including JVC, since version 6.0.1. I have used it many times with good results.

Older JVC models, and older versions of Final Cut Pro could work together, but it was not nearly as easy.

I think you’d be very happy with the GZ-HD620, but do keep in mind that it is not a 3-CCD. In fact, it is a 1/4″ 3.32 Megapixel CMOS Sensor. For an additional step-up in performance, you may also want to consider the GZ-HM550 or GZ-HM1. Both models have a 1/2.3″ 10.62MP CMOS Sensor, and both are getting outstanding reviews for picture quality.

Chris

[Chris Deutsch]

Hi,

I work for JVC and would like to try and help.

The GZ-HD7 is a great camcorder that came out in 2007. Today, most better consumer camcorders have standardized on AVCHD recording with a .mts file extension. Back then, things were a little different.

The GZ-HD7 records MPEG2 video with a .tod file extension. It has three different record modes, each of which works well with certain types of editing software. For example, with Pinnacle Studio 14, or Adobe Premiere Elements 8, you can use all three recording modes, and you import via USB.

With Sony Vegas, you must use the 1440 CBR recording mode, and you must connect the camcorder to your computer via Firewire. You cannot use any other recording mode to go directly into Sony Vegas, and you cannot use the USB connection. You capture via Firewire. In order to do this, you need to check out p. 51 in the owner’s manual under the topic of “Dubbing Operation”–also known as Playlist Dubbing.

I believe if you do this, you will be very happy with the quality.

Alternately, you could use the Cyberlink software that comes with the GZ-HD7 to convert the video to a format that Vegas is compatible with, but that is a more time consuming process.

I hope this is helpful.

Chris

[Chris Deutsch]

Hi Brandon,

I work for JVC and would like to help.

You should not need the JVC CD-ROM to get the files off of your camcorder.

Please try the following steps:

1. Connect the camcorder via USB
2. As soon as you connect the USB, you should see a USB Menu on the camcorder’s LCD screen. The 1st option is “Playback on PC”. Push the “Set” button to select that.
3. Open Windows Explorer and go to “Computer”. You should see all your normal drives, plus you should see “EVERIO_HDD”. Click on “Everio_HDD” and you will see several folders. “DCIM” contains your digital stills. “SD_VIDEO” contains your videos.
4. You can copy your videos or digital stills to your “Pictures” or “Videos” folder on your local Hard Drive.

Most popular editing software, including Pinnacle Studio and Adobe Premiere Elements will work with the JVC files with nothing else needed. Windows Movie Maker will work with the video files as long as you have Windows Vista Home Premium or better. For Apple users, iMovie ’08 and iMovie ’09 both work great as well.

There is one particular situation where the actual JVC CD-ROM might be helpful–even if you don’t intend to use the JVC software that is included. In addition to the software, the CD-ROM also installs all the necessary codecs for playback with programs like Windows Media Player. If you are having any issues (picture, but no sound for example), then you may want to order a replacement CD-ROM from the JVC parts store at https://www.jvc.com. If you are not having any playback problems, then you don’t need to worry about this.

I hope this helps.

Chris

[Chris Deutsch]

I work for JVC and would like to try to help.

This generation of JVC camcorders was designed to work best with Apple using Firewire (i.Link). In order to do this, the camcorder must be set to a special recording mode called 1440CBR. This is set through your camcorder’s main menu. He is some additional detail:

Preparation:
• All video must be recorded in the 1440CBR mode.
• When you are done recording, create a playlist in the camcorder with the recorded video you would like to edit
• Select the 1440CBR output on your HD Everio
• Start your Final Cut software
• You need a Firewire (i.Link) cable—Don’t use USB
• It is not necessary to install any additional software or plug ins to edit with Final Cut

Connect:
• Connect the i.Link cable to the Apple computer & to the JVC HD Everio

Import:
(These instructions are specific to the GZ-HD3, but the GZ-HD7 works in a very similar manner. For additional detail refer to “Dubbing Playback” in your GZ-HD7 owner’s manual)

• Create a “Playlist” with the video scenes/clips you would like to import.
• Choose “Dubbing Playback”
• Push the function button, choose “Playback Playlist” and move the cursor to the desired playlist
• Do not push in on the joystick to select it
• Instead, right click to enter “Dubbing Playback”
• Click through the on screen reminders until you get to “PREPARE THE RECORDING DEVICE”
• You should now be able to capture as with any other Firewire (i.Link) device
• When the playlist is finished, the import stops automatically

Edit:
• At this point the video has been imported and can be edited with Final Cut

Note #1: For this to work, all video must be recorded in the 1440CBR mode. This is the key. Think of the 1440CBR mode as the Apple/i.Link mode! It is mandatory on this generation of JVC camcorder when used with Apple.

If you did not record in the 1440CBR mode, there are still ways to do this, but it is more complicated. The expert on this is a gentleman named Steve Mullen. If you Google “Steve Mullen”+”GZ-HD7 Handbook” you will find links to order his e-book which is very detailed on this process.

Also, If you did not use 1440CBR and wish to connect via USB, make sure to install the JVC Quick Time Plug-in which comes on CD-ROM with the camcorder, as well as the Quick Time Plug In update which is available at this website: https://www2.cli.co.jp/products/ne/update_qtc_for_gzhd7/qtc3e_update.htm

Note #2: More recent 2009 model JVC camcorders, such as the GZ-HM200, GZ-HD300, GZ-HD320 & GZ-HM400 all use a different recording format (AVCHD/.mts) which is much easier to use with Apple. With any recent Apple computer and iMovie ‘08/’09 or the newest versions of Final Cut, those 2009 camcorders are basically plug and play. Simply connect your USB cable and you can import any video.

I hope this is helpful.

[Chris Deutsch]

Hi Jake,

The camcorder does have an A/V output connector. It is a mini-plug connector (looks like an earphone plug) that is right under the screen.

The A/V cable is in the box. It has three plugs–yellow, white & red. The yellow one is your video. Connect it from your camcorder to your capture device and you should be good to go.

Chris

[Chris Deutsch]

Hi Dannica,

I think we can solve this. Your GZ-HD7 is fairly unique in that it was one of the few HD cams of it’s time that recorded to a hard drive and also had firewire out.

The trick is, the firewire connection only works when you use the 1440CBR recording mode. Then, you need to create a “Playlist” of the scenes you want to transfer via firewire. Then, you need to very carefully follow the “Playback Dubbing” process which is explained in the owner’s manual. For this method there is no additional JVC software you will need to install. Additional FAQ’s from JVC are available at this link: https://support.jvc.com/consumer/support/support.jsp?pageID=1&item=19#279

If you have recorded content in any other mode, the Firewire will not work. If this is the case, there are still ways to get the video into your computer, but it is a lot more complicated. The expert on how to do this is a gentleman named Steve Mullen. If you google “Steve Mullen”+”GZ-HD7 Handbook” you will find links to the e-book he publishes which has all kind of good info on how best to do this. For this method, you will want to install the “Quicktime Component for Everio” which came on a CD-ROM with your camcorder, and–depending on your OS and your version of Quicktime–you may also need to install the “Quicktime Component for Everio” update which can be downloaded at this link: https://www2.cli.co.jp/products/ne/update_qtc_for_gzhd7/qtc3e_update.htm

I hope this is helpful.

[Chris Deutsch]

I work for JVC and would like to try to help.

Can you provide a little more detail? If possible, I would like to know…

1. The exact JVC model # (GZ-MS???, GZ-MG???, GZ-HD???)
2. The version of Final Cut Pro?
3. Also, do you have iMovie available, and if so, what version?

Thanks!

Chris

[Chris Deutsch]

I work for JVC and would like to try and help.

I need to tell you I am not at all familiar with the frame grabber software you are describing. But, I do believe that solving this will depend on how you are connecting.

If you are connecting via USB it will not work. As soon as you connect via USB, the camcorder is designed to essentially become an external storage device on whatever you have connected it to.

Your best bet is to find a device that can accept a A/V input (the yellow video and white/red audio RCA connectors) from the camcorder. I know that Pinnacle makes a device that does this for traditional video editing, but I cannot tell you if it is adaptable to what you are trying to do.

I hope this is helpful.

Chris

[Chris Deutsch]

I work for JVC and would like to try and help.

I believe your G5 uses a PowerPC processor. The JVC GZ-HM200 (as well as virtually all other better current model HD camcorders) records in a format called AVCHD. In order to use AVCHD, your Mac needs to have an Intel processor.

An older JVC with Firewire (GZ-HD3/5/6/7/40)might be a better match to this computer. They have a special recording mode called 1440CBR and work nicely when you record in that mode.

Alternately, you will find that your camcorder works perfectly via USB with any newer Mac with an Intel Processor and iMovie ’08/’09 or the newer versions of Final Cut Pro (6.0.1 or higher).

Chris