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calliex

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Aug 16, 2018
481
231
Pittsburgh, Pa
As time marches on video formats and computer connections change. I have tape based video camera I bought years ago. I transferred VHS old video over to it and then though its firewire connection over to mac into the orig iMovie. I found the old iMovie files on a backup drive and can not read them with my current Mac running Sierra. I would like to read the old tapes via firewire over to my mac which of course is USB into the new iMovie ( may even try Final Cut) to update everything.
Any suggestions? Can I get a firewire to usb adapter and would it work?
 

chrfr

macrumors G5
Jul 11, 2009
13,702
7,265
As time marches on video formats and computer connections change. I have tape based video camera I bought years ago. I transferred VHS old video over to it and then though its firewire connection over to mac into the orig iMovie. I found the old iMovie files on a backup drive and can not read them with my current Mac running Sierra. I would like to read the old tapes via firewire over to my mac which of course is USB into the new iMovie ( may even try Final Cut) to update everything.
Any suggestions? Can I get a firewire to usb adapter and would it work?
Does your Mac have Thunderbolt and/or USB-C? If it has Thunderbolt you can get a Thunderbolt to firewire adapter, but you can't convert from USB to Thunderbolt.
 

calliex

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Aug 16, 2018
481
231
Pittsburgh, Pa
No my mac in r2012 15in MBP. I think there are adapters out there. Trouble with adapters is they will make the connection but may not actually work for some things like video. Thanks for the reply
 

chrfr

macrumors G5
Jul 11, 2009
13,702
7,265
No my mac in r2012 15in MBP. I think there are adapters out there. Trouble with adapters is they will make the connection but may not actually work for some things like video. Thanks for the reply
You just need the Apple Thunderbolt to FireWire 800 adapter. There’s no USB adapter that will work.
Apple Thunderbolt to FireWire Adapter

You may also need cable adapters to get from Firewire 800 to the camera, but this is the only adapter you can use.
 

Fishrrman

macrumors Penryn
Feb 20, 2009
29,177
13,225
I think McScooby is onto something.
I suggest you read the linked article. It could save you a lot of $$$ and time.
 
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