How to connect HXR-MC2000 to Retina Macbook for Streaming

3D - HDR-TD10 (2011).
Professional models - HXR-NX70 (2011). HXR-MC2000, HXR-MC50 (2010).
Flash Memory / consumer - HDR-CX260V, HDR-CX580V, HDR-CX740VE, HDR-CX760V (2012). HDR-CX360V, HDR-CX560V, HDR-CX700V (2011). HDR-CX110, HDR-CX150, HDR-CX300, HDR-CX350V, HDR-CX550V (2010). HDR-CX100 (2009). HDR-CX12 (2008). HDR-CX7 (2007).
Hard Disk / consumer - HDR-XR260V (2012). HDR-XR150, HDR-XR350V, HDR-XR550V (2010). HDR-XR100, HDR-XR200, HDR-XR500, HDR-XR520 (2009). HDR-SR11, HDR-SR12 (2008). HDR-SR5, HDR-SR7 (2007).
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jroller
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How to connect HXR-MC2000 to Retina Macbook for Streaming

Post by jroller »

Have a Sony HXR-MC2000 camcorder. Have a first gen Retina Macbook Pro with hdmi, usb3 and thunderbolt ports.

How can I connect the camcorder to the computer so that I might use it to stream a live event via Ustream?

I have tried hdmi out on the Sony to hdmi on the mac. Camera not recognized by Ustream, Livestream, or iMovie 11.

I have tried hdmi out on the Sony to an hdmi-thunderbolt cable plugged into the Mac. Camera not recognized by Ustream, Livestream, or iMovie 11.

Thoughts?
acgold7
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Re: How to connect HXR-MC2000 to Retina Macbook for Streamin

Post by acgold7 »

I'm pretty sure the HDMI on every computer, even Macs, is out-only and meant for connecting to an external monitor.

I think the only way to stream from this camcorder is via HDMI. USB is only for file transfer. I think Thunderbolt is out-only as well, which would explain why your adapter doesn't work. Or maybe Thunderbolt is two-way but the adapter is useless, the way FW to USB is. As someone once told me, you can tape an electrical cord to a garden hose, but that doesn't mean it'll work.

I'd contact Ustream and see if they have any thoughts.
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jroller
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Re: How to connect HXR-MC2000 to Retina Macbook for Streamin

Post by jroller »

acgold7 wrote:As someone once told me, you can tape an electrical cord to a garden hose, but that doesn't mean it'll work.
Now, that is funny! I actually laughed out loud.

You're correct, I have since learned the HDMI port is out only. It looks like I would need a "box" of some sort that sits between the camcorder and the computer and passes the hdmi signal through. Unfortunately, it looks like that box costs $200-$300.

Am exploring the option of using my old GL1 with firewire going through a firewire to thunderbolt connection for the new laptop. $29 investment.

If that doesn't work, I'll probably just use the old laptop with the old camera.
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Stephan
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Re: How to connect HXR-MC2000 to Retina Macbook for Streamin

Post by Stephan »

That would really depend on your particular configuration, but I remember with my old Sony DV camcorder (standard definition that is, like your GL1 I presume), the camcorder was able to output a live SD video stream over firewire, and the computer was able to process that live stream like a fancy, expensive webcam (that was years ago). I understand this is what you're referring to, it might possibly work indeed (but standard def again) but only tests will tell as it depends on too many factors (like operating system, and Apple does tend to deprecate older features).
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