iMovie import dialog stuck in "processing" while recording old MiniDV tapes

This is more of an answer than a question, in case other people have had the same problem. I can't be the only person who struggled through this.

I have a load of mini DV tapes from my old Sony Camcorder ( Model DCR-HC18E PAL) that I have been trying to record in iMovies on my Macbook Pro 2020 version

Firstly, you need to a crazy 'daisy chain' of adapters and leads to to actually connect the camera to the mac.

Secondly my Camcorder is not officially on the compatible list on the mac website but it is still possible to record ( at least for my model)

When I recorded the first tape, it was absolutely fine and there were no problems. With subsequent tapes, the video clips were imported into the iMovie library but when I clicked stop import, it said 'processing' and this never stopped. I tried leaving it overnight but it was still 'processing' the morning after.

The only way to stop this is close the import dialog box but when you do this a window comes up stating' you will stop importing' ( or something similar) If you close anyway, you get the constantly revolving balloon that never stops!

If you quit iMovie, you lose everything in the library - all the clips just disappear.

I tried everything but eventually one thing appeared to work. While it is 'processing' if you pull out the firewire cable out of the camera, the import dialog/'processing' quits and all your recorded videos in the library is still there.

I thought I post this in case others had the same problem.