Please help. How do I convert my MiniDv's to DVD? IMovie & IDVD

Yes, it's possible. What Mac do you have? What version of iMovie?

Generally, you'll go from 4-pin Firewire on the camera to Firewire 800, and then if you have a Thunderbolt Mac, you'll need a Firewire to Thunderbolt adapter. But you'll need to post which Mac you have to know for sure.

Yup, you'll need the Firewire cable. You may also need the Thunderbolt to Firewire adapter if you iMac has Thunderbolt instead of Firewire.

Also, and this is just a suggestion, consider if you really need DVDs. If you're giving copies away, then yeah, DVDs may be convinient. But if these are for home use, consider getting an AppleTV. It's a MUCH better experience for watching home movies and photos on your HDTV.

"I have IMovie and IDVD, can I use these to burn the MiniDv's to a DVD? I don't need clips, I just want them converted to a DVD"

If by this you mean you don't want to edit your tapes in iMovie ie you just want the tapes put onto a DVD, "warts and all", then you can use just iDVD.

Open iDVD and select the option OneStep DVD.

I have not used this particular function in iDVD but it looks straight forward.Just connect your camcorder to the Mac, insert disc and go.It will rewind tape to the start if required.

As I have not used OneStep DVD I do not know what DVD menu options you have so you may have to experiment.

You may be able to test with a DVD- RW disc to see if it gives you what you want before wasting too many discs.

You will still need the cables mentioned above.

Here is a sample figure with some port descriptions.

http://cdn3.pcadvisor.co.uk/cmsdata/features/3306615/Apple-imac-ports-thunderbol t.jpg

As you have a FireWire 800 Port on your Mac you require a FireWire 800 (9 pin) to FireWire 400 (4 pin) cable.

Obviously the FireWire 400 ( 4 pin) is connected to your camcorder.

Don't be concerned that one end is 400 and the other is 800.

No .This one is 9 pin to 9 pin.

This is the type you need.

http://www.amazon.com/CiTi-FireWire-Cable-IEEE-1394B-Firewire/dp/B002U5F56W/ref= sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1395418260&sr=8-2&keywords=firewire+800+9+pin+to+4+pin

http://www.amazon.com/Monoprice-6-Feet-BILINGUAL-FireWire-100328/dp/B001W5IPCM/r ef=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&qid=1395418598&sr=8-16&keywords=firewire+800+9+pin+to+4+pin

I have not used these makes of cable as I live in England but I have seen the Monoprice name mentioned several times on these pages so suggest you go for the second listed here.Belkin is a good brand but a bit more expensive.

Avoid any carrying the Rocketfish name as they have appeared on these discussions as unreliable .

Just noticed another Monoprice cable (a bit longer ) cheaper at $ 7.62 and free shipping

http://www.amazon.com/Monoprice-10-Feet-BILINGUAL-FireWire-100329/dp/B001V8BH6G/ ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1395419738&sr=8-11&keywords=firewire+800+9+pin+to+4+pin