My Mac won't recognize my old MiniDV camcorder

Question

Level 1

9 points

My Mac won't recognize my old MiniDV camcorder

Hello.

I have a Canon Elura 100 that has the ability to do AV-DV passthrough capture (basically, it acts as a capture card). However, I've used QuickTime, iMovie, and Final Cut, and none of them recognized the camera. The cable can't be bad because the camera has the little "DV-IN" graphic at the top. I'm just not sure what's wrong. I've used the same cable for other cameras. I'm running Mac OS 10.13.6 along with the newest version of Final Cut. If anyone can help, I'd be most appreciative!

Posted on Dec 17, 2019 7:47 PM

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Answer 1

Dec 18, 2019 11:06 AM in response to lebs229

Wait, wait... DV-in?

That is probably it.

You need to set AV>DV to on. That is going in the opposite direction, more like DV-out.

Check the settings in your camera.

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Answer 2

Meg The Dog

Level 6

13,820 points

Dec 18, 2019 11:08 AM in response to lebs229

There is a menu setting in the camera to set up the Analog to DV conversion, it that set correctly?

Full manual available at:

https://www.usa.canon.com/internet/portal/us/home/support/details/camcorders/support-minidv-camcorders/elura-100/elura-100?tab=manuals

MtD

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Answer 3

Dec 18, 2019 9:29 AM in response to lebs229

Does the camera appear under System Information (hold down option key, click the Apple menu, System Information...), under Thunderbolt or Firewire?

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Answer 4

Dec 18, 2019 12:03 AM in response to lebs229

As Al asked: what mac model? What combination of cables and adapters (which are needed if your mac is less than about six years old, since recent mac don’t have Firewire)?

In any case I would not expect this to work with FCP X, not in pass through mode; but Quicktime Player should work.

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Answer 5

Alchroma

Level 7

23,918 points

Dec 17, 2019 10:03 PM in response to lebs229

What type of Mac are you using?

Al

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Answer 6

lebs229 Author

Level 1

9 points

Dec 18, 2019 9:04 AM in response to Luis Sequeira1

I’m using a late 2015 iMac and a Thunderbolt to FireWire adapter. I’ve tried to use QuickTime to no avail. I’ve used Final Cut and iMovie to import DV stuff before, just not the same camera. But again, the camera recognizes it’s connected to my Mac.

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