Import footage

Try this: import some footage to your older mac. You can do this, for example, using Quicktime Player.

Copy this footage to your new mac.

Download Final Cut Pro X trial version - it is free for 30 days.

Test it yourself.

The trial can be had from this location:

https://www.apple.com/lae/final-cut-pro/trial/

If you are unfamiliar with the application, take a look at the free introductory course at izzyvideo; it is very well done.

Do not just follow any odd video on youtube.

That is not enough information.

In order to know the available ports we need to know the exact model of iMac.

Please post the screenshot as asked before.

Go to the Apple menu, choose About this mac, then press command-shift-4 and drag to mark a rectangle encompassing the relevant information, like this example:

This seems to be an HDV camera.

This camera connects to a computer via Firewire.

What is your mac model? Macs released in the last several years don't have Firewire ports, but may be able to connect with Thunderbolt-Firewire adapter.

Another option, if you have a new mac and an older one lying around, is to use the older mac to import the footage, then copy it to the new one, or simply attach an external drive to one mac, import and then bring that drive to the other.

Tell us exactly what mac(s) you have.

If in doubt, go to (Apple menu)->About this mac and post a screenshot (but do not post the serial number).

Ok, so this is going to be tough.

Your mac has two Thunderbolt 3 ports.

To connect that camera to your mac requires at least three things

Thunderbolt3-Thunderbolt2 adapter ($49, Apple)

Thunderbolt-Firewire adapter ($29, Apple)

9pin-4pin Firewire cable (about $10 online from Amazon or others)

and then it might work - i.e., it should in principle work, but I have never tried it.

And it is not cheap.

If you have an older mac lying around, that may be a better option.

That is good news. When Catalina comes, some old codecs will no longer be supported. FCP X is telling you that you have no problem with your media and all of it will continue to work in Catalina.