Nikon D3100 video help? - 1

Is there any way of plugging my camera into my macbook and being able to see myself record videos? I have a nikon D3100 and a MacBook. Basically i want to use my computer as a viewfinder? I use imovie 08 and don't know if there's any way i can do it on there but i'm a youtuber and find it really annoying that i can't see if what i'm filming is in frame or not?

The Nikon D3100 has a view finder thing doesn't it. If so you could just flip it around while recording and look through that. If you actually have to look through the lens, there should be a switch at the top near the flash that if you bring down and release will change the view between the actual lens and the view finder. P. S. Sorry for the lack of better words. Lol.

Your MacBook is not a monitor. I is a computer that has a monitor - but the monitor is not generally able to be connected to outside video sources. To do what you want, a firewire connection is needed. Your camera (and possibly your MacBook) has no firewire port. There's no USB streaming option.

I use a portable DVD player with AV-in. Connect the AV-out from the camera to the AV-in of the portable DVD player. Since you are not using the DVD playback motor, battery time is really good.

Be careful doing video with your dSLR. It will overheat and shut the camera down until it cools down.

Link to the manual:
http://www.nikonusa.com/...100_EN.pdf
Over heating: Page 48.
File size limitation: page 46.
Built-in mic is mono only - not stereo. Page 198.
No manual audio control = loud audio will be recorded sounding very muddy and with static. Page 47. Sound is On (recording) or not. No gain control.
No Mic jack. Page 2. This means no external mics. Use an external audio recorder (like a Zoom H1, H2, H2n, H4n) and sync the audio with the video when editing.

dSLRs are designed to capture still images. They can do that well. Video and audio capture are secondary convenience features. If video is important, then a device designed to capture video - like a camcorder - should be used. If Still images are important, then a device designed to capture still images - like a dSLR - should be used. This does not mean your d3100 can't capture good video - it can… But it is not a camcorder and can't be treated like one. If you know the limitations, you can work around them. Using a dSLR for video can be very challenging if you are expecting to use the dSLR like a camcorder.

If you have an HDMI input on your monitor or TV you can just run a Mini-HDMI to HDMI cable between the two, no need for a computer as well. Switch the camera into live view and you're away.