Can I get my Sony DCR-TRV140 to work with iMovie?
Anyone have success using an older digital camera with OS 10.15? Trying to get my Sony DCR-TRV140 to work with iMovie.
iMac 21.5″, macOS 10.13
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What cables are you using to connect your Mac to your Digital8 camcorder?
In theory a Digital8 camcorder should operate in the same manner as a mini DV camcorder as far as importing into iMovie is concerned.
If your Mac is recent and you have USBc connectors then you will need 3 cables in all .
I have copy/pasted from a post something I wrote some months ago, which describes the cables required.
Some people do have success importing with new OS and hardware others have problems , seems hit or miss .
Do you have access to an old Mac with FireWire ports , a friend perhaps ?
This is the copy/paste below.
Start of copy /paste.
To import from DV cam' to Mac you must use the FireWire port on the cam' .
You will need a 4 pin FireWire to 9 pin FireWire cable.
And up to 2 more adaptors, depending on the age of your Mac. The first is FireWire 800 ( 9pin) to thunderbolt and the second is thunderbolt to USBc.
https://www.apple.com/uk/shop/product/MD464ZM/A/thunderbolt-to-firewire-adapter
https://www.apple.com/uk/shop/product/MMEL2ZM/A/thunderbolt-3-usb-c-to-thunderbolt-2-adapter
So up to 3 cables in all. About £80/$80 for the latter 2.There is not just one cable that exists to do the lot.
You need to be aware that the success rate of importing mini DV into iMovie/FCPX seems to have decreased over the last few years with newer OSs and newer hardware..It works for some but not others.
If you have an older Mac with an older OS then you will have more chance of importing.
Or a friend that has an older Mac with FireWire ports, so no need for the 2 adaptors.Use an external drive and transfer to your Mac .
Some who have been unable to import into FCPX/iMovie have been able to use the Record feature in QuickTime Player, and then bring this into FCPX. QTP is on your Mac.
https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT201066
If you do a search on this forum and iMovie you will get an idea of the issues that exist before paying out up to $80/£80
for cables.
End of copy/paste.
Come back if you need clarification>