How to Capture MiniDV to FCPX

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Level 1

21 points

How to Capture MiniDV to FCPX

and every other poor sole that is having this dreaded Mini DV tape issue. I would love to know if anyone has actually had success with this and how they did it. I have been trying now for months I am sure I have been through every conceivable option on the community chat but still I cannot get my camcorder recognised in iMovie/FCP/QuickTime. The only thing I keep coming back to, is that my MV530i camcorder is no longer supported at least not in iMove nor FCP. I have checked both of these lists but I haven't found a list yet for QT.

My set-up is not quite the same as others, as we all seem to differ somewhere but the issues all seem to link to the camcorder not being recognised by the capture software. Unfortunately the community has not been able to give the answer yet. But I am confident someone will find it very soon... I Hope 🤞🙏

Mac mini, macOS 13.6

Posted on Jan 30, 2024 8:20 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Ian R. Brown

Level 7

24,461 points

Jan 30, 2024 2:07 PM in response to brarn

As far as I can tell your camera is a normal DV camcorder and as such it is immaterial whether it is on the list or not.

There must be some problem with the connecters, cable or the camcorder itself.You could try one of those USB capture cards if your camera has composite out etc. but the quality will be slightly less than DV.

I have no personal experience with them. This one is £10 and would seem to work judging by the reviews.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/DIGITNOW-Capture-Adapter-Grabber-Converter/dp/B08RMSJNW2/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1O9TM40YIRWXP&keywords=usb+video+converter&qid=1706652312&sprefix=usb+video+converter%2Caps%2C159&sr=8-3

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Answer 2

Jan 31, 2024 2:40 AM in response to brarn

Your Thunderbolt converter could be OK.

The problem is caused by the fact that there are 2 versions of Thunderbolt . . . Thunderbolt 1 and 2

In old Macs which just have a Thunderbolt 1 port, you would need a Thunderbolt to FW converter but if you have a newer Mac with Thunderbolt 2 ports you will need a further Thunderbolt 1 to Thunderbolt 2 converter.

These 2 converters in theory should enable you to import DV via FW but in practice they can be very temperamental according to complaints I have heard.

The best way to get DV into a modern Mac is probably to get your hands on (beg, borrow or buy) an old Mac , pre 2012 with FW connections, capture your DV on it and copy the files to your new Mac.

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Answer 3

brarn Author

Level 1

21 points

Jan 31, 2024 8:38 AM in response to Ian R. Brown

Yes Ian I do have both of those convertors. I have just read through loads of FCP forums but alas nobody appears to have solved the problem of DV to Mac via FCP, iMovie or QT.

It seems your final method of an older Mac is the only solution. Which amazes me somewhat!

Thank you for trying.

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Answer 4

Jan 31, 2024 2:44 AM in response to Ian R. Brown

If you post your query on the Final Cut Pro forum you may get some better advice as there are a couple of threads currently dealing with this problem.

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Answer 5

brarn Author

Level 1

21 points

Jan 30, 2024 12:11 PM in response to Ian R. Brown

Hi Ian, Thank you again for your help. I truly get all what you are saying. I already have the necessary adapters and firewire cable as you kindly advised me of many weeks ago. And my System Information shows me it is active. see attached.

My problem is that the capture software FCP/iMovie/Quicktime do not recognise the camcorder. One of your colleagues gave a link for iMovie and FCP of a list of camcorders that they support. Unfortunately mine (MV530i) was not on either list.

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Answer 6

brarn Author

Level 1

21 points

Jan 31, 2024 2:22 AM in response to Ian R. Brown

Hi Ian, Thanks you for this. I did think that because the Thunderbolt to Firewire adapter is recognised in my Mac's system information it meant that the connectors are not the fault?

It is sad that I will have to go down that alternative composite road, however If that is the only way to retrieve the valuable footage I will give it a try and keep you posted.

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Answer 7

brarn Author

Level 1

21 points

Jan 31, 2024 3:52 AM in response to Ian R. Brown

Thanks Ian, I have already posted on the FCP forum but no solutions so far...

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Answer 8

Jan 30, 2024 11:54 AM in response to brarn

Twenty years ago the supported cameras lists were rubbish and a complete waste of time.

There are so many thousands of cameras and variants that Apple could never (even if it wanted to) have tested more than a minute percentage.

Suffice it to say that virtually every DV camcorder made could produce video for FCP.

Your problem is most likely due to connections. In the old days computers had Firewire ports which were excellent for the job but now we have Thunderbolt ports which need to be converted to Firewire in order to transmit a video signal.

This involves using one or two specialised converter connecters, the exact ones depending on your particular Mac.

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How to Capture MiniDV to FCPX

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