User profile for user: Ken W
Ken W Author
User level: Level 2
216 points

iMovie download for a 2015 iMac.

I have an old iMac running OS Monterey 12.7.6. The iMac model is a 27 inch, late 2015. I erased the disk using Disk Utility and then (from memory) rebooted it so that I could use it at my local Men's Shed of which I am a member. I did all this about five years ago.

I now wish to instal iMovie on it and I understand from my online searches that the latest compatible version is iMovie 10.4.2. When I go to the App Store and try and download iMovie, it just will not happen. I get a notice saying it will not download because the Mac OS is too old. To be clear, iMovie is currently not on the computer. I'm sorry to sound vague about the details but I'm composing this query on my up-to-date home computer.

Without wishing to complicate matters, I need an old version of iMovie so that I can get it to capture mini DV footage from an old Canon camcorder (1995 vintage). The iMovie on my home computer does not recognise this old camcorder.

How can I proceed? I have about 40 old mini DV cassettes that I wish to save in a more modern format.

iMac 24″, macOS 26.2

Posted on Feb 12, 2026 11:02 AM

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User profile for user: MartinR
MartinR
User level: Level 7
24,774 points

Posted on Feb 12, 2026 1:25 PM

While I understand your interest in iMovie, you *can* capture miniDV video using Quicktime on the 2015 iMac. And it may even prove easier that way.


You might try logging into your App Store account and go to the Purchases page. If you ever 'accepted' or downloaded iMovie in the past you may find an older version there.


ps. You will also need the Apple Thunderbolt-to-Firewire adapter. Sadly it was discontinued years ago but you can find them on eBay and other places.


pps. There are also services that can transfer your miniDV videos to modern formats, either MP4 or MOV.

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User profile for user: MartinR
MartinR
User level: Level 7
24,774 points

Feb 12, 2026 1:25 PM in response to Ken W

While I understand your interest in iMovie, you *can* capture miniDV video using Quicktime on the 2015 iMac. And it may even prove easier that way.


You might try logging into your App Store account and go to the Purchases page. If you ever 'accepted' or downloaded iMovie in the past you may find an older version there.


ps. You will also need the Apple Thunderbolt-to-Firewire adapter. Sadly it was discontinued years ago but you can find them on eBay and other places.


pps. There are also services that can transfer your miniDV videos to modern formats, either MP4 or MOV.

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User profile for user: MartinR
MartinR
User level: Level 7
24,774 points

Feb 13, 2026 7:21 AM in response to Ken W

Ken W wrote:
I must try and find out the exact type of connectors (Firewire, Thunderbolt 1,2,3,or 4, USB A, B, C etc.


Regarding adapters ...


  • If your Mac has Thunderbolt 2 ports you would need the Apple Thunderbolt-to-Firewire adapter (MD464ZM/A). It was discontinued a few years ago but you can still find it on eBay and other online stores.
  • If your Mac has Thunderbolt 3 ports you would need the Apple Thunderbolt-to-Firewire adapter (MD464ZM/A) AND the Apple Thunderbolt 3-to-Thunderbolt 2 adapter (MYH93AM/A)


I would not trust any third-party such adapter to be any good.


Regarding types of connectors ...


  • Firewire popularly used one of three different types of connectors, 4-pin or 6-pin (FW400) or 8-pin (FW800). Canon camcorders typically used 4-pin FW connectors.
    • The Apple Thunderbolt-to-Firewire adapter (MD464ZM/A) uses an 8-pin FW800 connector on one end and a Thunderbolt 2 connector on the other end.
    • You would need a Firewire cable with a 4-pin FW connector on one end and an 8-pin FW800 connector on the other end.
  • Thunderbolt has gone through a number of changes over the years. Thunderbolt 2 connectors are also called mDP or "miniDisplayPort" connectors. Thunderbolt 3 connectors are USB-C type connectors.
    • The Apple Thunderbolt 3-to-Thunderbolt 2 adapter (MYH93AM/A) has a Thunderbolt 2 connector on one end and a Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) connector on the other end.


Regarding macOS ...


  • macOS Tahoe does not support Firewire so even if you have the above adapters there is no way it is going to work with your Canon camcorder. Not with iMovie, not with Quicktime.
  • macOS Sequoia & Sonoma support Firewire but you probably need to "restore legacy camera support" as I linked in my earlier post.
  • macOS Monterey, Ventura and earlier all have full support for Firewire.



Your 27" late 2015 iMac has Thunderbolt 2 ports so you should need only the Apple Thunderbolt-to-Firewire adapter (MD464ZM/A) and a proper Firewire cable to connect your camcorder to it. You should be able to capture video from your camcorder using Quicktime on that Mac.




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User profile for user: Ken W
Ken W Author
User level: Level 2
216 points

Feb 13, 2026 1:44 AM in response to MartinR

Thanks for your input MartinR. I have been looking into adaptor cables but I need a lot more time for my aging brain to get round the complexities of USB and Thunderbolt connections. This isn't helped by the fact that I read that some online products are sold cheaply because they are wired incorrectly. It seems a bit of a minefield.

I ordered what I thought was a correct adapter cable from Amazon but when I connected my Canon MV300i camcorder to my iMac (24-inch M1, 20212, running macOS Tahoe 26.2), my camera wasn't recognised. I tried, using the same set-up, to capture using QuickTime, but again, my camera wasn't listed. Instead, I found myself staring at my own face which was obviously being captured by my on-board camera.

My Canon camcorder has its original cable which I used to use with a much older iMac for capturing footage. The cable is (I think) a Firewire IEEE-1394 to Firewire 400.

Your link to the Apple support page goes into areas that I am ill equipped to handle. I am too nervous to use Terminal commands because of possible mistakes I might make in typing command lines. I must try and find out the exact type of connectors (Firewire, Thunderbolt 1,2,3,or 4, USB A, B, C etc. that I need in order to ask the right questions of any potential online sales site. Onwards and upwards...I hope!

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User profile for user: Ken W
Ken W Author
User level: Level 2
216 points

Feb 14, 2026 12:15 AM in response to MartinR

Hi again MartinR. Your latest post goes above and beyond what I was hoping for. The last paragraph was particularly helpful and I now see the way ahead. In particular, you have saved me time and trouble in trying to connect my Canon camcorder to my current iMac running Tahoe OS. I didn't realise that macOS Tahoe did not support Firewire and I could have wasted a lot of time and money going down that route.

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User profile for user: MartinR
MartinR
User level: Level 7
24,774 points

Feb 12, 2026 1:24 PM in response to Ken W

iMovie 10 (the current version) is still capable of importing video from miniDV camcorders provided you have the necessary adapter(s) and cables. But there are potentially two gotchas ... Firewire support was removed from macOS Tahoe, so you would need a Mac running Sequoia or earlier. In addition if you are running Sonoma or Sequoia you would also need to restore legacy camera support -> If you can't use your camera or video output device after updating to macOS Sonoma 14.1 - Apple Support




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iMovie download for a 2015 iMac.

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