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User profile for user: Smokin' Joe
Smokin' Joe Author
User level: Level 1
9 points

Uploading digital video from camcorder to Macbook Pro

Hi all --


I have a relatively old mini-DV camcorder -- Panasonic PV-DV701D. It uses mini-cassettes, which I am trying to upload to my Macbook Pro (2020). (This camcorder is not listed among the supported cameras for iMovie.)


I've got a USB cable connected to the digital video out from the camcorder, connected to an Anker adapter plugged into the Thunderbolt port of my Macbook.


Neither iMovie nor Photos seems to recognize the camera.


Any suggestions? Thank you.


Posted on Dec 21, 2021 1:40 PM

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User profile for user: Rich839
Rich839
User level: Level 8
47,730 points

Posted on Dec 21, 2021 1:54 PM

Most tape based cameras work with iMovie even though not listed among the supported cameras for iMovie.


Sometimes importing MiniDV tape into iMovie 10 can be hit or miss. Most of the time the issues relate to the cables or adapters. What you need is a firewire cable coming out of the camera, rather than USB, together with whatever adapters are necessary to connect into your Mac if your Mac doesn't have a firewire socket. With adapters you can connect into USB-c (Thunderbolt 3) or Thunderbolt 2.


 If you have trouble importing directly into iMovie, try importing into QuickTimePLayer rather than directly into iMovie. The resulting import will be one long clip without scene breaks. You can then drag the long clip into iMovie and

parse it as necessary.


Another way is to use the Image Capture app on your Mac to import to your Mac's hard drive or external drive. Once the footage is on your Mac, your can import from there into iMovie.


-- Rich

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User profile for user: Rich839
Rich839
User level: Level 8
47,730 points

Dec 21, 2021 1:54 PM in response to Smokin' Joe

Most tape based cameras work with iMovie even though not listed among the supported cameras for iMovie.


Sometimes importing MiniDV tape into iMovie 10 can be hit or miss. Most of the time the issues relate to the cables or adapters. What you need is a firewire cable coming out of the camera, rather than USB, together with whatever adapters are necessary to connect into your Mac if your Mac doesn't have a firewire socket. With adapters you can connect into USB-c (Thunderbolt 3) or Thunderbolt 2.


 If you have trouble importing directly into iMovie, try importing into QuickTimePLayer rather than directly into iMovie. The resulting import will be one long clip without scene breaks. You can then drag the long clip into iMovie and

parse it as necessary.


Another way is to use the Image Capture app on your Mac to import to your Mac's hard drive or external drive. Once the footage is on your Mac, your can import from there into iMovie.


-- Rich

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Uploading digital video from camcorder to Macbook Pro

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