Need help: transfering videos from my JVC MiniDV video camera to my iMac

[elpaproduction]

I have a JVC GR-D350U MiniDv video camcorder, it has a firewire port.

I've puchased rocketfish's FireWire 9 pin to 4 pin cable. Cable fits perferctly into my iMac.

When I turn the JVC on and put it in Play Mode - Nothing. Finder doesn't see the camera and neither does the iMovie.

I've changed the cable - same results. Even tried an older JVC camera - nothing either. The Fireport on the Mac is not reporting any problems.

Does anyone have any clue on how to get that darn thing to work?

And if I can't port directly, I've got some old videos that I'd like to download from miniDV tape - how do I do it without the fireport?

Is there a service that can take a miniDV and turn it into digital file??

Thanks,

 

[floh]

Funnily, there are currently two threads with a very similar problem. Two days ago, this thread has been started about an old miniDV Canon camera connected with a Firewire adapter.

I would suggest the same things here: Check if the computer found a FW device. If not, you have a similar problem that the camera won't work with a FW800 port. I have no real explanation for this. I would suggest that you either

- try to get another camcorder and check if it works
- try to get a computer with a FW400 plug (those are still around and cards for a PC cost about 20 euros)
- find a friend that can transfer it for you
- find a company that does it for you (those are around for sure, I just don't know any outside of Germany...)

Sorry I can't be of any more help, but it seems like the FW800 adapters are kind of picky when it comes to accepted cameras...

 

[diazwoman]

I have the same problem compounded by the fact that I am pretty tech challenged.
I purchased the 9 to 4 pin cable and it fits both my mac and my older jvc camera. When I hook up my camera, no icon or device appears on the desktop.
However when I go into ;

about this mac
more info
hardware
firewire
it shows:

FireWire Bus:

Maximum Speed: Up to 800 Mb/sec

GR-D250:

Manufacturer: JVC
Model: 0x300E5
GUID: 0x808803072AE790
Maximum Speed: Up to 100 Mb/sec
Connection Speed: Up to 100 Mb/sec
Sub-units:
GR-D250 Unit:
Unit Software Version: 0x10001
Unit Spec ID: 0xA02D
Sooooo how do I get it to show up or access it so I can transfer ?????
remember I am challenged so will kinda need details or referrals to web sites or something.
thanks!

 

[notjustjay]

Firewire video (DV) works differently than we've become used to in recent years. It's not like a digital camera or HD camcorder. No device will show up on your desktop.

What you do is hook up your cables, turn your camcorder into VTR (playback) mode, then fire up an app like iMovie HD (the older version of iMovie was specifically designed around the Firewire/DV workflow). Put iMovie into "record" mode and press "play" on your camcorder, and you should see the video playback appear in the iMovie preview window. Then you can use the capture controls in iMovie like a VCR to capture what's playing "into" the computer. It is a real-time capture, e.g. to capture a 20 minute video clip, you rewind to the beginning, press "play" on the camcorder and "record" in iMovie, wait 20 minutes, then press "stop" to stop recording. Just like the old days!

 

[charlyee]

I was in the same situation as you diazwoman, except my camera is the Sony PCR DC1 and I have the Macbook Pro. I tried the cable Apple and Best Buy recommended, no luck.

Finally at the recommendation of a friend, I bought this cable and it worked like a charm.

I hook the camera, put it in VTR mode, open iMovie and import from camera.

As others have said the camera does not show up in the Finder or on the Desktop.

Hope this helps.

PS: In case the link doesn't work, the cable is SIIG 9PIN To 4PIN Firewire 800.

 

[kplu191]

I'm not that good with it all yet, in fact I'm new at the whole iMac thing. But did u try going to file, import video , then hopefully ur camera shows up? I'm not at mt Mac, but if memory serves me right, try that. Hope I could help!

 

[kplu191]

Oops... Sorry. How did I miss the above post? :/