I'm a new Z5 owner, in fact I'm new to any type of video camera ownership. My question is this what are the steps needed to download the raw footage from the tape in the camera into my Mac G5 and then into FCP 6? Are their additional cables or pieces of equipment required other than what was in the box to make the transfer into my Mac?

Maybe it's my amateurism or fascination with gimmicks but the "Ikan Camera Cradle" that I just picked up really works, if for nothing else but its use as a resting tool for the camera and my arms as the Raynox .79X WA lens does make the camera a bit heavy, even without the lens the relief is welcomed.

I've enjoyed reading the information shared by the experts and amateurs alike as you've gotten me off to a good start in the use of my camera to record if only I could get the video out to review it.

Thanks in advance for your advice.

Melvin

Plug in the supplied firewire cable from your Z5 to the Mac, turn on your Z5 in player mode while you have your camera supplied via AC power battery replacement (whatever that thing is called).
Fire up your Mac and FCP.
Use Easy setup (under the finalcut pulldown) for what ever setting you have shot in. So you prolly want to use HDV setup.
Then under File go to Log and Capture, you now will be promted in a new window.
The buttons will now control the player of your Z5.
Press play and and press capture now.
You now capture your material and press Esc when you have everything you need.

Cheers!

After your response, I located my missing 1394 firewire cable. All is good now, as I've had my first ever down-load experience, "How exciting!!"

Thank You So Much,

Melvin