Connecting a Cannon ZR 850 to a MacBook Pro--Please Help!!

[plantlover]

I am attempting to connect my camcorder, a Cannon ZR 550, to my new MacBook Pro. However, the computer doesn't even recognize the video camera.

I'm trying to import some video to iMovie, which is another question I'll have for you guys later, but first I think I should get to recognize the camera.
😉

 

[spinnerlys]

How do you connect your Canon ZR850 with your MBP?

Firewire or USB?

It should be Firewire as it is a DV camera, and Firewire is better with DV encoded video.

Firewire is the port between the RJ45 jack (network, LAN) and USB ports.
It is an FW 800 port with 9 pins and you need a cable with 4 pins on one end (for the camera). So you have to get a 9-to-4-pins-cable.

If you already did this, could you please elaborate more about your setup?

PS: Is the camera in VCR/play mode?

Cable: