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Transfer video from camera DV OUT to macbook

T

TitusVorenus

macrumors member
Original poster
Mar 28, 2011
67
7
I want to transfer some old movies to digital. I have a camera with a DV OUT and got what I believe are the correct cable + 3 adapters, but my MacBook doesn't recognize the feed via iMovie or quicktime. As far as I can tell, the MacBook is not registering any input.

Am I missing some steps? I have the camera going output set at V-OUT/LCD, the only other option besides LCD. The DV OUT --> firewire cable came with the camera, though I can't vouch it's original. Additionally, these are the adapters:


Photos of the entire setup:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1pFU5_kjMTUKrgfKbJ437ArV9CQG7gVlG
 
Due to your inclusion of a TB3>TB2 adapter, I assume you're talking about a current-gen MacBook (2016–present), in which case, you won't be able to use Thunderbolt— it only has USB-C, *not* Thunderbolt 3. I did quick Google and Amazon searches, but did not come up w/ any adapters that would do USB-C to FireWire. There are some misinformed or semantically challenged forum exchanges out there that point to the same chain of adapters you use, but they're either talking about MacBook Pros or just don't realize that the non-Pro MacBook has only USB-C, not the USB-C/TB combo.

Can you get ahold of an older MacBook or MacBook Pro that has a DVD drive? Those will have FW800 or FW400 built in, and you can import the movies there, then transfer to your current MacBook.
 
Yeah you need a MacBook Pro to get a thunderbolt interface. What Mac do you have?

I use a ThunderBolt dock that has firewire, but thats not going to help if your computer doesn't have TB.

You may want to think about one of those capture devices that are USB based and captures SVideo. These are like $40 or so. .
 
Last edited:
TitusVorenus said:
I've got a 2013 MacBook Air and a 2018 MacBook Pro:

https://www.apple.com/shop/buy-mac/macbook-pro/13-inch-space-gray-256gb-2.3ghz-quad-core#

I don't have a way to get a hold of another MacBook Pro with a dvd drive now that my 17in is gone.

I was hoping to go this route for the highest quality transfer, but yes, the S video is an option if I can't get this to work.
Click to expand...

Both of those should work with Thunderbolt-to-FireWire adapters. Maybe try a different cable. Those original Apple cables, which it looks like you have, could kink toward the small end and stop working reliably.
 
fhturner said:
Both of those should work with Thunderbolt-to-FireWire adapters. Maybe try a different cable. Those original Apple cables, which it looks like you have, could kink toward the small end and stop working reliably.
Click to expand...

The adapters are brand new, so not kinked. I can first try a new firewire cable, but it is my understanding from your post above that the USB C on my MacBook Pro is not compatible with this adapter. ?

fhturner said:
I assume you're talking about a current-gen MacBook (2016–present), in which case, you won't be able to use Thunderbolt— it only has USB-C, *not* Thunderbolt 3. I did quick Google and Amazon searches, but did not come up w/ any adapters that would do USB-C to FireWire.
Click to expand...

I tried the MacBook Air with the firewire to thunderbolt 2 adapter. It didn't work, which is why I bought the additional thunderbolt 2 to thunderbolt 3 adapter thinking it would work on my 2018 MacBook Pro. From my research, which was a couple of months ago and not completely fresh in my head, I recall that the MacBook Air port that looks like the thunderbolt 2 port wasn't really, it only did output, not input.

My MacBook Pro doesn't have a thunderbolt 2 port, so if the MacBook pro's ports are all USB C I'm not sure how I could connect it.
 
The spouse has a 2018 MacBook Pro, I have a 2018 iMac pro. Both have combo USB-C Thunderbolt 3 port(s). My iMac Pro is connected to an old TB2 dock via an apple TB2 to TB3 adapter. The Dock has a firewire port. I can connect to my Cannon HV30 camera via FCPX, but if I recall correctly iMove was more fickle with the cameras it supports.

If you happen to have a FW drive around, you may want to connect it up through your adapters and see if the computer can see it. If so, then there may be a camera compatibility or camera cable problem that you are chasing.
 
TitusVorenus said:
I tried the MacBook Air with the firewire to thunderbolt 2 adapter. It didn't work
Click to expand...

When I click your ebay link for the thunderbolt 2 to firewire adapter, it says that item is no longer available. I have a regular Apple thunderbolt to firewire adapter like this

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...d464ll_a_thunderbolt_to_firewire_adapter.html

It works fine on my 2013 MacBook Air with my Sony DVCAM/HDV deck along with a FW 800 to 400 adapter similar to yours. So perhaps there is some problem with whatever adapter(s) you bought, your cable, or maybe a problem with your camcorder?
 
TitusVorenus said:
THat's the same adapter I have. I'm guessing it's a problem with the camera compatibility. I decided to try the elgato S video adapter (currently on order).
Click to expand...

There should be ZERO compatibilty issue on FW connection (application is another matter).

Look in System Information app
4e42cc5300973d980d5dc4b7d17477ce.png
on your Mac.
What does it say for FW, and when you connect camera does it show up?
 
ColdCase said:
Yeah you need a MacBook Pro to get a thunderbolt interface.
Click to expand...

Heck, even the new Retina MacBook AIR includes two Thunderbolt-3 ports! Of course, nowadays the Air is meant to be Apple's mid-range but entry level-priced Mac laptop line, compared to the ultra-portable but pricier MacBook and the powerful but way more pricey MacBook Pro.
Any time I need to import anything from my old MiniDV or Hi-8 videotapes (the latter using Digital8, so it's still a FireWire connection), I use my quad-core 2012 Mac Mini, connected directly to its' FireWire 800 port. If I had any of the newer Minis, I would use the mentioned adapters (especially once I eventually replace my 2012 Mini with the newer beefed-up version.) When on the go, I use a late 2009 MacBook that has no FireWire or Thunderbolt connection whatsoever, but that doesn't really matter to me because when I shoot video on the go, it's either onto a memory card (in a camcorder or still camera or in my Samsung Galaxy Smartphone) or the internal storage in my iPod Touch. That's pretty much how I shoot ALL my new videos now, but I am saving my MiniDV and Digital8 camcorders for archiving purposes. But once I get a new MacBook Air, which like I said does have Thunderbolt, you never know. I may be able to archive my old tapes when on the go then!
 
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