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Importing mini DV tape from Sony Handy-cam Model: DCR-TRV9

Does any one in the community know how to import miniDV tapes from this Sony Handy-cam to iMovies. I have hooked up the camera with the required cable IEE 1934 4 pin to USB-C and have the Habdy-cam in the playback VTR mode. Greatly appreciate any help.

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 10.14

Posted on Apr 12, 2021 6:20 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Apr 14, 2021 11:54 PM

I do not believe that the cable you are using is suitable . The comments contained in the Amazon link you provided also suggest that it does not work.

Your Mac will need the FireWire cable described below plus the 2 adaptors also described below.


To import from DV cam' to Mac you must use the FireWire port on the cam' .

You will need a 4 pin FireWire to 9 pin FireWire cable.

And 2 more adaptors. The first is FireWire 800 ( 9pin) to thunderbolt and the second is thunderbolt to USBc.


https://www.apple.com/uk/shop/product/MD464ZM/A/thunderbolt-to-firewire-adapter


https://www.apple.com/uk/shop/product/MMEL2ZM/A/thunderbolt-3-usb-c-to-thunderbolt-2-adapter


So 3 cables in all. About £80/$80 for the latter 2. There is not just one cable that exists to do the lot.


You need to be aware that the success rate of importing mini DV into iMovie/FCPX seems to have decreased over the last few years with newer OSs and newer hardware..It works for some but not others.


If you have an older Mac with an older OS then you will have more chance of importing.

Or a friend that has an older Mac with FireWire ports, so no need for the 2 adaptors.Use an external drive and transfer to your Mac .

Some who have been unable to import into FCPX/iMovie have been able to use the Record feature in QuickTime Player, and then bring this into FCPX. QTP is on your Mac.

https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT201066

If you do a search on this forum and iMovie you will get an idea of the issues that exist before paying out up to $80/£80

for cables.

Note the links above to the Apple shop for the adaptors is the UK site , you may have to go to the site in your location if not in UK .


6 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Apr 14, 2021 11:54 PM in response to MVS0417

I do not believe that the cable you are using is suitable . The comments contained in the Amazon link you provided also suggest that it does not work.

Your Mac will need the FireWire cable described below plus the 2 adaptors also described below.


To import from DV cam' to Mac you must use the FireWire port on the cam' .

You will need a 4 pin FireWire to 9 pin FireWire cable.

And 2 more adaptors. The first is FireWire 800 ( 9pin) to thunderbolt and the second is thunderbolt to USBc.


https://www.apple.com/uk/shop/product/MD464ZM/A/thunderbolt-to-firewire-adapter


https://www.apple.com/uk/shop/product/MMEL2ZM/A/thunderbolt-3-usb-c-to-thunderbolt-2-adapter


So 3 cables in all. About £80/$80 for the latter 2. There is not just one cable that exists to do the lot.


You need to be aware that the success rate of importing mini DV into iMovie/FCPX seems to have decreased over the last few years with newer OSs and newer hardware..It works for some but not others.


If you have an older Mac with an older OS then you will have more chance of importing.

Or a friend that has an older Mac with FireWire ports, so no need for the 2 adaptors.Use an external drive and transfer to your Mac .

Some who have been unable to import into FCPX/iMovie have been able to use the Record feature in QuickTime Player, and then bring this into FCPX. QTP is on your Mac.

https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT201066

If you do a search on this forum and iMovie you will get an idea of the issues that exist before paying out up to $80/£80

for cables.

Note the links above to the Apple shop for the adaptors is the UK site , you may have to go to the site in your location if not in UK .


Apr 13, 2021 12:27 AM in response to MVS0417

Assuming that you have the camera correctly connected and switched on in VTR Playback mode, open the Import window in iMovie.


Your camera should be listed at the top left corner.


Select it and press the Import All button at the bottom right.


You may or may not need to start the playback manually on your camera.


You may have to start playback before hitting "Import All" .............. I can't remember exactly!


Apr 14, 2021 8:07 PM in response to Ian R. Brown

I have a MBP 2020 version. The cable I am using is

CY USB Male to Firewire IEEE 1394 4Pin Male iLink Adapter Cord Cable for DCR-TRV75E DV 1m USB Firewire Cable

More information: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VHUME42/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_3MK892GTSRXMW17RXNKX?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

I the have a USB-C to USB to connect the USB side of this cable to the MBP. Can you please be more specific on what additional adapters I will require. Thank you.

Importing mini DV tape from Sony Handy-cam Model: DCR-TRV9

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