How to import my dvcpro tapes to imac via FCPX or other program?

YMMV but in my Mac mini 2018 the following seemed to work although I only very briefly tested it with the old iMovie HD 6.0.3 and Sony TRV320E D8 camcorder in Mojave:

Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter

Apple Thunderbolt to FireWire Adapter

FireWire 800 9-pin to 400 4-pin cable

https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MMEL2AM/A/thunderbolt-3-usb-c-to-thunderbolt-2-adapter?fnode=d6f1662b62130679cc9a9db672fb246e714dc2ed0e27ef533a0da1c645ed7ae86d3f14b97c21419b47a0e67dee7e3c14be4b65da1c1f0f5724f3c9c7f9350254caa9a698ecf2b50e3e22f209c396a62216a4954927b2a0aa3db4984dbd3c5873f02756ef07b16185b1f1bd974b01eb1f

https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MD464LL/A/apple-thunderbolt-to-firewire-adapter?fnode=144b61092cd38fd0d9c64a3312fc431d93aec7a38cabd963429752dce49d82db2a168084336e19922e2c0c5282c9918bcda03d710a2f525149378e12b570153cea205800e0bdb8d5c76b1805b02cf8917424e7ba432e5dae1af94c1a77b57a28a488aa5bbfdddda40907beb52281a357

https://www.amazon.com/Tripp-Lite-FireWire-Hi-speed-F019-006/dp/B000AAZQM2/ref=sr_1_4?crid=38P09A5IJSGE1&dchild=1&keywords=firewire+800+to+400+4+pin&qid=1596714370&sprefix=firewire+800+to+400%2Caps%2C265&sr=8-4

Yes it can, knowing which iMac you are using will give a precise answer.

Modern Macs have deleted the actual firewire ports but they still work over the various thunderbolt ports on changing models with the correct adapter/s.

Al

You will need a Thunderbolt 9 pin to thunderbolt 2 adapter that couples to a Thunderbolt 3 adapter to port into the iMac.

Most DVCPro decks use 6 pin firewire.

A 6 to 9 pin firewire cable goes from deck to the 9 pin to Thunderbolt 2 adapter.

You capture to an Event within FCP, the imported files will be whatever the capture is, you cannot change that during capture.

Open the FCP Inspector after capture to determine its specs or use an App like MediaInfo to get detailed info.

The Project you use for a Timeline should match the clip properties in all details. VandA.

As a suggestion it would be wise to establish a capture and edit workflow will smallish clips and Projects to get settings tested and setup correctly before capturing a heap of tapes.

Al

Al,

I am using a MacPro 2010 MacOSX 10.13.6 with a Sony HVR-1500 deck and FCP 10.4.6.

I can import DV HDV and DVCam but not DVCPro.

The deck is connected by a Firewire 400 on the machine to an 800 on the computer.

I get the timecode of the DVCpro but no image.

The image is seen on the monitor of the deck.

This is why I wondered if there was a codex problem.

Any suggestions

We tried the thunderbolt adapter but FCP didn't even see the deck in the devices area.

Thanks

Does it work if you import using Quicktime Player?

No but I can record HDV into QT.

Have QT dropped the DVCPro codex if so do they have a plug in of somekind?

Fcp supports all the DV codecs including DV Pro.

Al

It also may be the firewire output does not handle DVCPro.

I recall some decks need additional setup to get the output.

Do some homework on your specific deck.

Al