I'm on the Sony hdr-hc3 camera with FCE HD 3. OS 10.4.10
I can't get communication with camera to software even though it's plugged into my G5 directly with good cord.

Any ideas why I having this issue. I have captured a few times with this camera with no issues before.

Also, in theory, I should be able to use capture now, but I've never succeded with it. The software always says nothing to capture. I just gave that a shot, and I do see a quicktime file on my hard drive, but when I click on it, I see, "the movie could not be opened, this file is not a movie file" (I did not see footage on black screen during this test anyway)

I'm in a deep cave here, is someone can pull me out, I'd appreciate it.

I always seem to have some issue with simple capturing, I wonder if I'm the only one.

Kevin,
I often have simlar problems getting the software to recognise the camera. I usually try a computer restart and it usually works. Unless there's something wrong with the firewire cable that is.
Another obvious thing to check without wanting to sound patronising:
Cam is in VCR mode?
You'd be amazed at some of the idiotic things i've been known to do particularly if i've been smoking the green stuff.
As far as the capture now issue goes i'm as mystified as you having never had that particular problem.
good luck
Dom

thanks Dom!
go over VCR mode for me. I have it in Play/edit, is that VCR?

You meant to say you are mystified I have the capture now problem, yes, I don't seem to even be able to use that.

Sorry Kevin, I have the XHA1 which has a specific VCR mode but play/edit sounds like its OK. the main thing is not to have your cam on camera mode.
Did you try the restart option? that usually wokrs for me.
I'm a FCP user so dont know much about the express version but i'm assuming the software is up to date and supports the camera?
Can't really help you out here i'm afraid, but i usually find that after playing around (turning camera on or off, restarting the mac etc) i get there in the end. Hopefully someone else out there will pick up on this thread who knows what the problem is.
all the best
Dom

thanks, yeah did reboots and more. The camera should be ok, cause got good communication before, hence, any one else please pipe in!

Hi Kevin,
Try to plug in something else to the FireWire port to see it is working. An external harddisk, harddisk-recorder or scanner. This way you are sure the port and the cable is working.

Can you connect the camcorder to another computer? Just to be sure the port is OK on the camcorder.

Do you have any indication the link is established? - Like a LED on the camcorder. For instance my XL H1 has a blue LED close to the FW port.

A restart with the camcorder connected and on could suddenly fix similar problems. Good luck! /Johan