Is There Such a Cable???

PatM · Dec 24, 2011

I have a Sony Mini DV video recorder. I would like to move DV tape from this recorder to my MacBook Pro. The Sony device has a Firewire cable that will allow this to be done but I don't have a Firewire port on my MBP.

Is there a cable that I can buy that will convert the Firewire to something that will work on my Mac? Does Apple have such a thing? I looked on the Apple website but could find nothing.

Can someone help me please?

Thanks,

Pat

Kevriano · Dec 24, 2011

There are adaptors, yes, but whether they work for your purpose is hard to say>

Firewire IEEE 1394 6 Pin Male to Male USB 2.0 Adapter on eBay!

pendlewitch · Dec 24, 2011

Hi,
I think it's one of these.Belkin Firewire Cable 6pin-4pin (1.8m): Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

Regards,
Liam

robduckyworth · Dec 24, 2011

Moved to more appropriate forum.

gsahli · Dec 24, 2011

PatM said:
but I don't have a Firewire port on my MBP.

Yes you do, you have a Firewire 800 port. You just need to buy a firewire 800 to 4-pin (camera side) cable:
1m IEEE-1394b FireWire 800 9-pin to 4-pin Cable (3.2ft) - Cables To Go
(This is just an example - be sure to compare prices at a few places - amazon.com, newegg.com, etc)

PatM · Dec 24, 2011

Ok great news. Thanks everyone. I appreciate it very much.

Pat

MightyGem · Dec 25, 2011

but whether they work for your purpose is hard to say

Probably not. Firewire transmits data in a continuous stream. USB transmits in chunks. Video tape outputs as a continuous stream, hence the need for a firewire connection. The adaptors still go through the USB card, which will process in chunks.

pendlewitch · Dec 25, 2011

MightyGem said:
Probably not. Firewire transmits data in a continuous stream. USB transmits in chunks. Video tape outputs as a continuous stream, hence the need for a firewire connection. The adaptors still go through the USB card, which will process in chunks.

But would the Sony not have an onboard ADC to convert the output to go in noughts and one's in the first place by whatever means ? Why would an input separate to the USB input on the MBP use the USB card ? Just curious. $:\$

MightyGem · Dec 26, 2011

But would the Sony not have an onboard ADC to convert the output to go in noughts and one's in the first place by whatever means ?

As it's DV(digital video) then it's already noughts and ones, but they are transmitted as a continuous stream because the tape moves continuously.

All miniDV camcorders require firewire for downloading to your computer. Harddrive/flash drive based camcorders use USB.

pendlewitch · Dec 26, 2011

MightyGem said:
As it's DV(digital video) then it's already noughts and ones, but they are transmitted as a continuous stream because the tape moves continuously.

All miniDV camcorders require firewire for downloading to your computer. Harddrive/flash drive based camcorders use USB.

Ok...I just noticed the original cable proposal had USB which is where I got confused.