I occasionally see both advertised in the used market. They are compatible for both video clip and video chat purposes. Sony Marketing would want to ensure that your model is advertised as Mac-compatible if it is.įYI, I have and use the (long ago discontinued) Sony DCR-TRV17 and Sony DCR-TRV70 Firewire-connected tape-based camcorders with my Macs.

If yours is s Firewire-connected ' mini-DV' model, it should work, but some users have reported difficulty with Sony mini-DV models that connected through Sony 'docking stations.' You can check your Sony's user manual or packaging. The Sony's I remember as not being Mac -compatible w ere the ' micro-MV' models. I do have an old Sony Handycam that is firewire but I read somewhere that it won't work with a Mac. Be certain that any of interest meet the Mac-compatible, Firewire-connected, tape-based requirements. A wide range of price and quality is available. If you cannot find a Mac-compatible, Firewire-connected, tape-based camcorder locally, you can find them offered in on-line auction sites like this example. Alternatively, you can consider buying a Mac-compatible, Firewire-connected, tape-based camcorder such as a VIXIA HV20, 30, or 40 that can serve both recording and chat functions. You can continue to use your VIXIA HFS20 camcorder for capturing your clips for sharing. If you simply decide to add a camera that will work with your Mac's video chat software, one of the webcams recommended by others who have posted here will be your best choice for chat tasks. However, to add webcam use with Skype or Hangout, you will need either a Mac-compatible webcam or a Mac-compatible, Firewire-connected, tape-based camcorder, or both a compatible webcam and a compatible camcorder. In general, your HFS20 and my earlier camcorder recommendations will work to capture clips that you can import into iMovie for editing (if desired) or record directly into iMovie for sharing on sites like YouTube. Those models write to mini DV tape and connect via Firewire.

For webcam use, you would need a VIXIA HV20, 30, or 40.

Mactaris webcam settings