Not sure what cord to use to connect my mini dv to my mac.

You could try the cannon website to see if there are any driver updates for your model. Cannon may have a users forum, which you might be able to pin point the problem there, If that doesn't work try the mac website for updates etc.

Use a firewire cable to connect the camera to the Mac. Nor a USB cable.You will not see an icon on the Mac desktop.If iMovie does not open automatically then open iMovie.

you don't convert the files, you just downlod them via a firewire comnnection.

If you have a mini dv (cassette) camcorder....
Your dv camcorder needs a firewire connection (ieee 1394) in order to download video, your PC probably did not come with a firewire port, so you will have to buy one and install it, since most computers (except possibly brand new) don't come with a firewire port, your camcorder did not come with a firewire cord so you have to purchase a cord too. Your camcorder did come with a USB cord and that is used for downloading stills from your camcorder. Make sure your camera is in playback mode.
Open your editing program and choose the capture mode.

The fine print in your manual makes reference to firewire (ieee 1394) connection....


thanks.

This type of camera usually downloads video over a Firewire (DV, IEEE1394) connection. Some mini-DV cameras have a USB connection but it is used only for stills.

Most PCs have a USB port, but no Firewire port. Macs often have a Firewire port but may not have USB. As most Windows PCs do not come with this interface, you might need to fit an add-on Firewire interface card. This will come with a driver for the card. As you have a MAC, you may already have a port.

Suitable Firewire (DV) cables can easily be found on Amazon or eBay. You will need the kind with a small (four pin) connector at one end and a larger (six pin) connector at the other. My Samsung mini-DV camera came with the correct lead. I did not need a driver, just some sort of video editing software that can accept input. Even Windows Movie Maker that ships with Windows will work.

You apparently have a Firewire (DV) cable.

This type of camera usually downloads better with a Firewire connection. Some mini-DV cameras only use the USB connection (if they have one) for stills and can only download video by Firewire. This is because you have to play the tape into the computer, not just copy a file. The way it works on my computer, the camera is controlled by the computer software through the Firewire cable.

Most PCs have a USB port, but no Firewire port. Macs often have a Firewire port but may not have USB. As your Dell Windows PC did not come with this interface, you need to fit an add-on Firewire interface card to the internal expansion bus (PCI). This will come with a driver for the card. You can buy one of these cheaply on eBay or Amazon.

I have successfully recorded to a mini Dv tape from my computer however I connected my PC to the VX2100 using the RCA inputs. I have an adapter that I purchased from best buy that provides the RCA input/output. If your able to connect that make sure to...

1. Turn you VX2100 to Play/Edit mode (not camera mode)
2. Insure the program on your mac has an external output otherwise you won't be able to record.
3. See if your video editing software (if your using one) has an option for record to tape or to camera. I use Vegas Studio and it has an option for that.

Hope this helps. Good Luck!

Hello, the mini dv is the port that carries images and video to a television for example, or a computer, but will not help to transfer data to a computer. the firewire port does transfer data to the computer though, this is the reason why it is ackowledged as an external hard drive when you plug it this way. The best is to plug both, this will give you the opportunity to watch on your desktop, and to transfer data

I can't find any reference to a PV-GX31 model, BUT if your camcorder is a PV-GS31 MiniDV model, then you need special software for it to show up on your computer screen. Panasonic supply the software to show and edit still shots (through your USB cable). But if you want to show and edit movies, then you need a firewire cable, a firewire connection on your computer to connect it to, and most importantly some editing software. PCs are pretty slack in this area, so you should use a mac!

when you connect the camera to your mac via firewire, make sure you have an application open that will allow you to import the material.    The most common application being 'imovie'.

just joking althoe macs are crap tho,you need a firewire cable and firewire support on your mac its that easy,you just plug in and the pc does the rest,not sure about mac thoe cause there crap