Is it a simple process to transfer video shot on a HC 5 or 7 into a Macbook Pro core 2 (not a core 2 duo) that is running Final Cut Pro?

Yes, it is.

Is there any extra hardware that is needed? A friend of mine has a Macbook Pro core 2 duo and I know on the Sony HDD camera's, the video won't download without some special software. I'm just making sure the HC 5 or 7 doesn't. I know it's a mini-dv camera and not a HDD camera but I'm just trying to cover my bases before purchasing one of these camera's.

Nope, you won't need any special software or hardware to capture DV or HDV with Final Cut Pro. Just connect the camera to the computer with a firewire cable.

I'll tag along on this thread, so as not to start a new one.
I'd like to use the HDR-HC5 as a live camera, without recording.
Are all three outputs: HDMI, component, and firewire, active when doing this?

I want to send the HDMI to a flat-panel HD display, and record the firewire HDV signal to a Mac Mini using QT Player Pro. I read that you can use iMovie and FCP with the HC5, has anyone captured the HDV video direclty with QTPro? I need to be able to view it while it's being digitized.

This is for childrens' use, I'm trying to keep the workflow simple.
If anyone knows, or if anyone has the HC-5, a Mac and QTP and can try it for me, I'd be very grateful to hear the results.

Thanks, Frank Fulchiero

Well, I went to BestBuy and had 10 minutes to test an HDR-HC5. Live, it recorded DV 720x480 with QT Player Pro and no tape in the transport. With tape in the transport, even though it was not being recorded, I recorded to both QT Player Pro and iMovie with the Apple Intermediate Codec 1440x1080.

The firewire and HDMI were both active, but not the component.

I want to use an HDR-HC5 on all the time, and record to a Mac Mini throughout the day.
Does anyone know if it would ever go into sleep mode, either with or without a tape in the transport (not being recorded to)?

Hi Frank -
You might check out the manual online - IIRC, there's a menu item to shut of the sleep function on one or both of my HC series cameras... an HC1 and an HC3. I'm going to guess it's a ducumented feature, or if you get another crack at hands on, see if it's in one of the menus!

DB>)

Hi Frank -
You might check out the manual online - IIRC, there's a menu item to shut of the sleep function on one or both of my HC series cameras... an HC1 and an HC3. I'm going to guess it's a ducumented feature, or if you get another crack at hands on, see if it's in one of the menus!
DB>)Thanks, found the manual on-line, will read it...
http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/model-documents.pl?mdl=HDRHC5

All you need to do is go into the Camera Settings, scroll backwards (as the option is closer that way) and locate the Auto-Off option. Change it from On to Off, and your camcorder will not shut down after 5 mins of inactivity.

Sorry to be such a nuisance, you guys are too helpful! One more question (hopefully).
Say the camera is powered by the AC adapter, with no battery, and the Power Switch is set to Camera/Tape, that is, ready to record.
We are recording to computer directly.

Now we shut off power to the camera (turn off AC adapter without unplugging), when we restore power to the camera, will it still be on the Camera/Tape setting, and ready to record?

Reason I ask is that it will be hard to physically get to the camera, and we don't want to leave it on all the time.
Thanking anyone with an HDR-HC5 for a short test...

Yes, it is still physically on, when you apply power, remove it, and reapply power, if it was on Camera/Record mode when you removed power, it will stll be there when you restart. What it won't do is return to Card Mode or Playback mode when you reapply power.

Yes, it is still physically on, when you apply power, remove it, and reapply power, if it was on Camera/Record mode when you removed power, it will stll be there when you restart. What it won't do is return to Card Mode or Playback mode when you reapply power.Thanks, you guys are great. I think we're getting one tomorrow, and hope to prove to be as helpul to others, as others have been to me...