Connecting a Canon HV30 camcorder *** a thunderbolt port to a new imac

Question

Connecting a Canon HV30 camcorder *** a thunderbolt port to a new imac

Hi all

I was using imovie 11 with my old imac (purchased Summer 2008) using the firewire connection to transfer DV/HDV video from my Canon HV30 camcorder (tape). I just bought a new 27 inch imac with the thunderbolt ports and now I am stuck as there is no firewire

The camcorder had a 4 pin firewire output so I have tried the following

Used the original camcorder cable (Firewire 400), converted to firewire 800 with an adapter and then used the Apple firewire to thunderbolt adapter

Used a cable that converted the 4 pin firewire to firewire 800 and then used the Apple firewire to thunderbolt adapter.

In each case, imovie is not seeing the camcorder.

I know that my camcorder is not listed as being supported by imovie but has worked fawlessly on my old machine running the same software and operation system (Mountain Lion)

Any ideas - thanks

Kevin

Imac

Posted on Aug 10, 2013 2:27 PM

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Answer 1

Aug 12, 2013 1:41 PM in response to soccerdad0071

If it works on the old computer, you may be left with having to import the footage on the old computer, then transfer it to the new computer.

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Answer 2

Oct 9, 2013 5:22 PM in response to JungleTaxi Cabbie

Thanks JungleTaxi Cabbie.

To update things & for anyone in the future.

I found out that the firewire port on the camera was fried as it wouldn't work at all even with my old imac

After expensive repair, it now works with the thunderbolt set up on my new Imac as long as you use the original camcorder output cable, convert that to firewire 800 and then convert the firewire 800 to thunderbolt which connects to the Imac. If I don't use the original camcorder cable I can't get it to work.

Other things

I was advised to do the following

Don't connect the camcorder to the computer unless the battery and/or power supply of the camcorder are first removed
Don't disconnect the camcorder from the computer unless the battery and/or power supply of the camcorder are first removed.

Hope that this may help others

Kevin

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Answer 3

Nov 5, 2013 7:35 PM in response to soccerdad0071

I thought you were crazy saying I had to use an adaptor and I couldn't just buy a new cord that went from the 4-pin Firewire 400 to the Firewire 800. You were right. I'm using my original cord, an adaptor, and the thunderbolt-to-firewire converter and now it works fine on my HV30. Wouldn't have ever figured it out. Thanks.

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Answer 4

epjustin

Level 1

0 points

Apr 7, 2014 2:52 PM in response to soccerdad0071

Hey,

Can you walk me through how you did this? I'm having the same issue and i have no idea what to do

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Answer 5

epjustin

Level 1

0 points

Apr 7, 2014 2:57 PM in response to ChicagoSam

Help Please

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Answer 6

Apr 7, 2014 7:41 PM in response to epjustin

Hi epjustin,

What I said in the previous post (Oct 9 2013) works for me but I can try to explain in more detail if that helps.

Firstly. remove the battery or the ac power connection from the camcorder. - VERY IMPORTANT

Turn on the Imac and login

Attach a thunderbolt to firewire 800 adapter to the IMac thunderbolt port - you can get this from the Apple Store

Now attach a firewire 800 to firewire 400 adapter to the the end of the previous adapter. You should now have the appropriate firewire 400 connection so that you can attach the original firewire cable that came with the camcorder.

Now connect the camcorder cable to complete the connection between the camcorder and the computer

Now connect the power supply or the battery to the camcorder and turn on the camcorder. Set the camcorder up so that it exports through the cable as normal

You should now be able to detect the camcorder in imovie. If you can't see the camcorder in imovie, go into system report from about this mac and you should see an entry in the thunderbolt section relating to the connected camera.

As I mentioned above, turn on and disconnect the power from the camcorder before disconnecting the camcorder from the Imac or turning off the Imac

If you can't get things to work, you may want to try connecting the camcorder to another computer as there is a chance that the board is fried if it doesn't work

Please let me know if you need any further help

Kevin

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