Connect MiniDV to MAC Mini M4

Question

Connect MiniDV to MAC Mini M4

I have a Sony Dr-hc90 i am trying to connect to my M4 Mac Mini. I have the ilink to FireWire adapter connected to a FireWire to Thunderbolt 2 adapter connect to a thunderbolt 2 to thunderbolt 3 adapter. (Could not find a solution that uses fewer adapters).

when i connect the thunderbolt 3 to a non thunderbolt dock on the Mac mini, i get a note telling me to use a thunderbolt dock. However, when i plug it into the thunderbolt dock i get nothing. No message, no connection. I saw in an earlier thread that is closed, that the Apple Thunderbolt 2 to Thunderbolt 3 adapter is not supported by the M4 Mac mini. The compatibility list on the apple site lists the 2025 Mac mini, but does not say M4 chip explicitly. Does anyone know if my adapter string will work with the Mac Mini, and if it should work what am i doing wrong?

thanks

Posted on Feb 4, 2026 4:39 AM

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Answer 1

Feb 4, 2026 6:24 AM in response to geniusplaylists

macOS Sequoia 15 is the last version that supports Firewire. See also:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/256232136?answerId=261800536022&sortBy=oldest_first#261800536022

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Answer 2

Feb 5, 2026 3:17 PM in response to geniusplaylists

The other way to connect that camcorder to a Mac mini might be to purchase a USB video digitizer, and import video from the camcorder in analog form.

Not the preferred solution, but with Apple's moves to completely kill off FireWire, it might be the easiest one …

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Answer 3

lkrupp

Level 7

22,771 points

Feb 4, 2026 6:43 AM in response to geniusplaylists

That string of adapters did indeed work for me on older Firewire drives when I was running macOS 15 Sequoia. As has been pointed out macOS 26 Tahoe dropped support for Firewire altogether. So if you want to connect that device to your Mac Mini you’ll need to downgrade back to Sequoia IF your current Mini will run it.

So what year and model of Mini do you have and what version of macOS is it running?

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Answer 4

Feb 4, 2026 4:47 AM in response to geniusplaylists

If your MacMini is running has macOS 26 Tahoe installed, nothing will make the connection work as macOS Tahoe no longer supports Firewire devices.

No manner of adapters will be of any help.

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