Is OS X v10.7.5 Lion no longer supporting Firewire based, mini DV camcorders? Please help!

I connect the camcorder directly to the computer via firewire, then import straight from either i-movie, or Final Cut Pro X. Ever since i got FCP X, I've been using FCP X exclusively. Neither one will see the camera. I checked the list but the thing is, FCP X and i-movie used to see the camera in 10.7.4, and after getting updated to 10.7.5 it no longer does. I tried rebooting with Command/Option and 'P' and 'R' keys. It keeps installing the newest version.

If no-one can help, I have to say WATCH OUT! If you have a miniDV camcorder and using OS X Lion, DO NOT get the update to 10.7.5. If you're on 10.7.4, stay on that. Look what I found about how upgrading to 10.7.5 effected Canon DSLRs users.

https://captureintegration.com/canon-tethering-support-os-x-10-8-10-7-5/

Something similar has happened to miniDv camcorder users, but there doesn't appear to be any fix for it.

It came with OS X Lion. I got the mac in late 2011 and I think it was 10.7.1, but I'm not sure. I know I've done several system updates and none of them made my camcorder incompatible. So I thought this latest one would be okay as a force of habit. It worked all the way up to 10.7.4.

But as this link agrees, other Canon cameras have been affected by the 10.7.5 and 10.8 upgrades.

http://www.digitaltransitions.com/blog/dt-blog/1075

I tried internet reinstallation and it just automatically installed the most up to date version. I don't have a Time Machine backup. This feels like getting hit in the back of the head while I wasn't looking... like a cheap shot.

Thanks. The conclusion is to always make backups before updating anything, and maintain a bootable clone copy of the original system in case Apple makes a mistake. And while I'm not directing my anger at you, because you are only trying to help, Apple should NOT expect its customers to have to learn like this the hard way.

I have people who are waiting to hear from me about video work they want to do, and others are waiting for edits of tapes already recorded. I knew that in about a year I'd have to upgrade to a tapless camcorer system. But Apple's update has rendered me NOW the same as having no camera at all.

Thanks, don't feel bad. I've spent a good couple hours on the phone with Apple Care folks the last couple of days. I've got a case number and was referred to a senior supervisor. Still trying to figure it out, so thanks for trying. I appreciate it.

Hi Appleman, thanks for your reply.

I have a 4 to 9 pin cable... brand new Rocketfish from Best Buy. I don't know about this brand of Cable but it's what I'm trying with the Canon HV20.

With the Canon XH A1s, I've been using a Belkin 6 pin to 9 pin cable that's been working great until I updated from 10.7.4 to 10.7.5. As soon as I updated, the camera stopped connecting to the computer. The cable was the first thing I tried to replace, so I got a Gigaware cable from Radio Shack but still no fix.

For both cameras, I've only been using AC power plugged into a wall socket. The Canon HV20 is set to PLAY HDV, and the Canon XH A1s is set to VCR PLAY, which is the correct setting. I've tried FILE/IMPORT and the IMPORT button in both i-Movie'11 and FCP X, and neither recognizes either camera.

The Systems Report/Firewire always reads in red letters - "Warning. Unable to List Firewire Device".

An important question is was your DV camera a tape camcorder? It's important because this is an update problem that seems to be consistent with Firewire MiniDV camcorders, but not necessarily tapeless DV cams with other means of uploading. It's not that i-Movie or FCP X won't recognize the firewire device. It's the updated OS X itself seems to be the issue.

Tapeless camcorders will most likely work with OS X Lion 10.7.5 and OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion, but miniDV firewire camcorders may no longer work. Mine doesn't. And apparently, this is happening to other people.

I know I have to go tapeless eventually, but the Canon XH A1s is an excellent camera and I figured I'd use it for another year or so before doing so. It worked fine on OS X 10.7.4 (just a week ago) but not after the update was installed. Now, I'm stuck with no camera, and I've got gigs scheduled.

I just updated to i-Movie '11 9.0.9. Still does not recognize. After reading up more about Rocketfish cables, I'm wondering if it is in fact the firewire cable after all, like you and Appleman1958 above are saying.

A few days ago I was at the Genius Bar at the Apple store, and asked if we should, and could try a different cable. (I brought in my Canon HV20 and tried it on two of their Macbooks with no success).

She was about to let me try a new cable, but then said she didn't have a 4 pin to 9 pin cable handy at the counter. She said it most likely wouldn't do anything differently, since the cable I was using was already brand new. At the time, we did know it was Rocketfish. So we nodded and shrugged and proceeded from there. I also asked a senior supervisor at Applecare over the phone, and he said that changing a new cable shouldn't make a difference, so we kept trying other methods.

But after reading more about Rocketfish, I'm going to try a Belkin and report back to this forum.

I'll let you know. I've got some videotaping to do today and will pick one up on the way home.

Problem Solved!

After a long comedy of errors, the Rocketfish firewire 4 pin to 9 pin, which was brand new ($40 from Best Buy) was defective. Apple Store no longer carries 4 pin to 9 pin firewires, but stocks a Belkin 9 pin to 9 pin firewire that comes with a 4 pin to 9 pin adapter for $40. This would've been for the Canon HV20, and would probably work.

I went to Central Computers, a pro computer store in SF, and picked up a generic 4 pin to 9 pin cable for $16 (just a few dollars more than ordering brandnames online, and I get the cable immeditately.)

It works! Now I know I can order extra Belkin or other brand name cables online, or if I need it immediately, I can get generic ones here in SF.

I'm going to go back and pick up a 6 pin to 9 pin firewire cable for the Canon XH A1s. If it still does not work, then I'll guess that that camera may have a blown firewire port (costly repair). Now I have the Canon HV20 as a usable tape deck for uploading and rewinding.

To John Cogdell and AppleMan1958, thanks! It was the Rocketfish cable afterall!

And thanks to everyone for helping out!