topic Re: ZR85 How to transfer videos to my iMac running macOS v11.6.2 in Camcorders

ZR85 How to transfer videos to my iMac running macOS v11.6.2

kvs2 — Fri, 19 Jan 2024 13:46:18 GMT

I would like to transfer videos from my ZR85 camcorder to my iMac computer with OS 11.6.2. Can anyone advise on the best way to do this as I have been striking out with proper cables/connectors. Thanks in advance.

Re: ZR85 Mini DV

kvbarkley — Wed, 09 Feb 2022 03:49:16 GMT

I assume your camera has firewire. I have had some luck with iMovie and my Sony using the apple Firewire -> TB 2 and the apple TB2->TB3 adapter. You probably do need a firewire 6 pin to 4 pin cable.

Re: ZR85 Mini DV

kvs2 — Fri, 11 Feb 2022 01:12:37 GMT

Thank you so much kvbarkley!! 🙏🏻 Will what you suggest do it for this cable?

Thank you kvbarkley! Will what you suggest work with this cable?

Re: ZR85 Mini DV

kvbarkley — Fri, 11 Feb 2022 01:27:02 GMT

No, those are FW400 cables. You need FW800 to the camera FW400 connector.

Re: ZR85 Mini DV

srs12 — Fri, 19 Jan 2024 04:05:52 GMT

Hi! I'm having the same issue. I'm running mac os 14.2.1 on MacBook pro circa 2018. I bought a replacement DV --> Firewire and Firewire to USB adapter (and USBc adapter). No luck. Here are the cords I bought:

[Links removed per Community guidelines]

Re: ZR85 Mini DV

kvbarkley — Fri, 19 Jan 2024 13:59:38 GMT

You can't use Firewire to USB it has to be Firewire to Thunderbolt. And hurry, it appears that Apple is discontinuing the adapters

Re: ZR85 Mini DV

srs12 — Fri, 19 Jan 2024 16:39:07 GMT

I can’t even find it at all - do you have a link? Thank you so much!

Re: ZR85 How to transfer videos to my iMac running macOS v11.6.2

kvbarkley — Fri, 19 Jan 2024 17:41:57 GMT

Nope, I said it was discontinued. It looks to be available in hong kong:

We can't link to products

Or google "Apple firewire to thunderbolt adapter" It appears to still be available on the Apple Store in Hong Kong. 8^)

Re: ZR85 How to transfer videos to my iMac running macOS v11.6.2

srs12 — Fri, 19 Jan 2024 17:42:48 GMT

Thank you so much!!

Re: ZR85 How to transfer videos to my iMac running macOS v11.6.2

kvs2 — Sat, 20 Jan 2024 11:03:25 GMT

Thank you so much! I’ll try that!

Re: ZR85 How to transfer videos to my iMac running macOS v11.6.2

rs-eos — Sat, 20 Jan 2024 12:11:36 GMT

Be sure to get the correct thunderbolt adapter to what your Mac needs. When I last tried to import footage from miniDV tapes, my Mac used Thunderbolt 3. The Firewire to Thunderbolt cable I got at the time was for Thunderbolt 2, so had to add an additional Thunderbolt 2 to Thunderbolt 3 adapter.

Alas though, this did not work at all. Thankfully, I already had imported the most important miniDV videos from years earlier on a Mac Pro that had built-in Firewire ports.

Not saying that your setup will fail, but I could not get anything working with Firewire to Thunderbolt cables.

If I ever need to import additional footage, I'll seek out a service.

Re: ZR85 How to transfer videos to my iMac running macOS v11.6.2

kvs2 — Sat, 20 Jan 2024 14:59:57 GMT

It’s been awhile since I went on my tear to find what I needed. I ended up always being short of the cable I needed and gave up. I tried to avoid paying someone exorbitant fees to transfer my tapes, but agree it’s the only solution at this point. Thanks so much for your input!!

Re: ZR85 How to transfer videos to my iMac running macOS v11.6.2

srs12 — Sun, 21 Jan 2024 04:34:51 GMT

Thank you so much for this! Yeah, I was worried about buying the TB to FW and TB2 to TB3 and then not working. I actually still have an old MacBook with FW800 port so I'm going to try that. Hopefully it works.