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How can I save DVD movies from a Sony camcorder in my Mac Book Pro?

I have a Sony DVD Camcorder and a Mac Book Pro.
I havent been able to dowload and save all the mini dvds I have in the mac.
Is there a free software that does that?

Public Comments

1. Which Sony DVD camcorder?

I would suggest that you get an external drawer loading DVD drive (I like the ones from LaCie). Download and install HandBrake - and rip the video from the miniDVDs to a format iMovieHD and FinalCut likes... like .mov or .mp4. Then drag the converted file to the clips pain or timeline of the video editor.

NEVER put a small (8cm) or odd sized optical disc in a slot loading optical drive - you will scratch the disc and break the drive. Connecting using a USB cable will not work. That is generally only for webstreaming or transferring stills from a memory card. Neither iMovie nor FinalCut will recognize that there is video trying to come in from the USB port. DVD consumer camcorders do not have a firewire or DV port.

2. If you have a mini dvd camcorder….
You will have to finalize your dvd in the camera and then put the dvd in your computer's DVD burner (top loading only) and then you will have to convert the files (I downloaded handbrake file converter free) and import them into your editing program. Use the HELP feature in your editing program to learn about editing. Once you are ready to burn, your project will be burned to a different DVD and you can file the original away.