How do I import Hi8 (digital via firewire) to my Macbook Pro

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Level 1

36 points

How do I import Hi8 (digital via firewire) to my Macbook Pro

I have an old Sony Digital 8 Video camera (DCR-TRV320) that I want to connect to my Macbook Pro via the Thunderbolt ports.Can this be done with a simple adapter

I would like to import digital video from an old Digital Video camera into my Macbook Pro. The output from the camera is a firewire 400 port, my Macbook has Thunderbolt ports which are firewire 800 (I think). Is an adapter cord all I need? Specific model or type recommendations would be great. I would also like to preserve the metadata and have iMovie auto-split the scenes as well. Any help with or experience doing something similar would be most awesome.

Thanks

Greg

PC, Windows 7

Posted on Jan 28, 2017 12:23 PM

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Answer 1

GeeD

Level 6

9,179 points

Jan 28, 2017 2:46 PM in response to Greg Condo

Thunderbolt is not Firewire 800 but Thunderbolt to Firewire 800 cables are available from Apple. You would then then need to connect a Firewire 800 to Firewire 400 adaptor.

However your camera is not listed as supported by iMovie 10 (nor iMovie 9).

You may find this thread helpful - How do I import video from digital8/hi8 to imovie?

Geoff.

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Answer 2

Greg Condo Author

Level 1

36 points

Jan 28, 2017 3:02 PM in response to GeeD

Ok Geoff,

Thanks and very useful. I guess I don't care as much about the time stamps and meta info as I am about the software's ability to recognize and differentiate the scene changes. I did manag to get the file from the camera onto a portable hard disc (AVI) and import it into iMovie but couldn't find a way to auto split the scenes.

The Enosoft DV Processor software split the video into separate scenes and I would think iMovie would have a similar capability. Another option is I can capture the file as a raw file (.dv) if iMovie can handle that. Ultimately, I want to burn the moviews to DVD and have chapters. Any other suggestions would be great. Thanks again!

Greg

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Answer 3

GeeD

Level 6

9,179 points

Jan 29, 2017 2:26 AM in response to Greg Condo

You are probably best splitting the video outside of iMovie then importing the pieces into iMovie. I have no experience with Hi8 media so others can probably help you further.

Geoff.

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