Camcorder to MacBook Air

You can try to search Thunderbolt to FireWire adapter for digital connection.

This one is not compatible with your MacBook Air:

https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MD464LL/A/apple-thunderbolt-to-firewire-adapter

But may be you can find exactly Thunderbolt (not Thunderbolt-2) to FireWire adapter.

Do search this community:

https://discussions.apple.com/community/ilife/imovie

Perhaps you will find an answer…

Your MacBook Air doesn't have Thunderbolt-2 port. See specification:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201862

This adapter is not compatible with your Mac. Check the section "Compatibility":

https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MD464LL/A/apple-thunderbolt-to-firewire-adapter

For this adapter you need to have at least MacBook Air early 2015.

Hello,

It is difficult to understand the reason for omitting a MacBook Air (13-inch, Early 2014) in the Apple Thunderbolt to FireWire Adapter compatibility list (which includes other Macs with both Thunderbolt and Thunderbolt 2 ports). Maybe the list just is not complete. The system requirements say "Thunderbolt-equipped Mac computer".

There may be other reasons why your camcorder is not recognised. The FireWire (IEEE 1394/i.LINK/DV) cable appears to be OK. It could be a software problem. Which application(s) have you been testing? For information about programs, procedures, et cetera, it may not be a bad idea to have a look at posts by (for example) thesurreyfriends and Rich839 in the iMovie for Mac forum.

The GR-DVL157E (if necessary, an instruction manual can be found via https://www3.jvckenwood.com/english/support/) is not specifically mentioned in iMovie for macOS supported cameras – Apple Support, but a Note 2 (Tape) says that "iMovie works with most mini DV tape-based camcorders using DV and HDV formats. Use FireWire port for tape-based devices.", so it should be possible to carry out a transfer. However, there have been reports about both successful and not so successful attempts with various camcorders. The iMovie version could possibly be a factor, and it may be worth testing a transfer via an older Mac with a built-in FireWire port.

>I was just plugging it all in, but iMovie wouldn’t recognise the device.

The following about import from tape-based cameras could perhaps be of some help:

https://help.apple.com/imovie/mac/10.1/#/mov6fa10197d

>I’ve been transferring old VHS tapes

That would have been an analogue transfer.

>leads I need to capture my camcorder tapes

Analogue transfers can use composite (RCA) or S-Video. Similar to an example on page 53 in the

(English) GR-DVL157EG camcorder instruction manual (via the link in my previous message).

Page 54 in the instruction manual shows another example, a digital transfer using FireWire (IEEE 1394/i.LINK/DV).

If possible, a full digital transfer should be chosen (higher quality).

Correction (link):

The following about import from tape-based cameras could perhaps be of some help:

https://help.apple.com/imovie/mac/10.1/#/mov6af9c94c1

Hi,

Following adapters could connect between MacBook Air and Camcorder.

https://www.amazon.com/DIGITNOW-Capture-Converter-Digital-Windows/dp/B07XP159GX/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=USB+to+S-Video%2C+component+video&qid=1589022433&s=computers-intl-ship&sr=1-2

https://www.amazon.com/UCEC-Capture-Device-Converter-Windows/dp/B07PS2TD9L/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=usb+to+s-video%2C+component+video+mac+os&qid=1589022578&s=electronics&sr=1-2

Correction II:

Analogue transfers can use composite (RCA) or S-Video. Similar to an example on page 52 in the

(English) GR-DVL157EG camcorder instruction manual (via the link in my previous message).

A separate capture device with software would digitise video in case of a computer connection (USB).

To begin with, please let us know the camcorder make and model.

Also, information about the exact MacBook Air model/year (and its operating system version) would help.

Hi,

Which model of MacBook Air and Camcorder you have?