MiniDV not detected on Mac Studio, works on MacBook Pro

I’m trying to import a batch of MiniDV tapes and I’m running into a strange issue between two Apple Silicon Macs.

Setup

Camera: JVC MiniDV camcorder (DV out via 4-pin FireWire)

Cable/adapter chain:

MiniDV camera → FireWire 400 (4-pin) to FireWire 800 cable → Apple Thunderbolt to FireWire 800 adapter → Apple Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 adapter → Mac

So the full chain is:

Camera → FW400 → FW800 → Thunderbolt → TB3/USB-C → Mac

Computer 1 (NOT working)

Mac Studio M1 Max

macOS Tahoe

Apps tested: Final Cut Pro and QuickTime Player

Result:

The camera is not detected at all. Neither Final Cut nor QuickTime shows the DV device.

Computer 2 (WORKING)

MacBook Pro M1

macOS Sequoia

Same exact cables and camera.

Result:

QuickTime immediately detects the camera and allows DV import without any issue.

Troubleshooting already done

• Tested multiple MiniDV tapes

• Bought a second full set of adapters and cables

• Reconnected everything several times

• Verified the camcorder works because it imports correctly on the MacBook Pro

So the hardware chain itself clearly works.

Question

Why would the Mac Studio M1 Max (Tahoe) not detect the DV camera while the MacBook Pro M1 (Sequoia) does, using the exact same hardware and adapter chain?

Is there any known issue with:

• FireWire over Thunderbolt on Mac Studio

• macOS Tahoe removing or changing DV device support

• Thunderbolt port behavior differences between Mac Studio and MacBook Pro

Any insight would be appreciated since the only difference appears to be the machine and OS.