How to connect HV20 to the new MacBook Pro at DVinfo.net

Anil Dasari · November 30th, 2008, 07:03 PM

Friends,

I just bought a MacBook Pro and wanted to upload footage from my Canon HV20 to edit using iMovie. I then realized that the firewire-800 port that's on the MacBook Pro isn't good for the firewire cable I have. My old cable - which I successfully used to transfer footage from HV20 to a windows PC - has 4 pins, and the MacBook Pro firewire-800 port has 9 pins.

I am sure there must be 4-pin to 9-pin cables or adopters available out there. The question is, which one is the best - a cable or an adopter? Any recommendations? Please help.

Thank you.

Glenn Fisher · November 30th, 2008, 07:51 PM

I would definitely go with a cable. With an adapter, there's more hassle and a greater chance for failure (more pieces to go wrong, plus, if for some reason your existing firewire cable gets loose in the adapter and makes a bad connection, then you might find yourself reimporting a lot of video). Granted, I've never had experience with either one, but from my studio experience in general, dedicated cables are much better than adapters, if feasible.

Here's an example of the kind of cable that you need: General Brand | FireWire-800 9-pin to 4-pin DV Cable - 6 | VG015

(Cables from most retailers are incredibly overpriced..so I would recommend doing a quick google search for "cheap cables" *wink*)

Best of luck to you,
Glenn Fisher

Anil Dasari · November 30th, 2008, 11:12 PM

Glenn,

thank you for the suggestion. I'll go for the cable, then.

Cheers.

Anil Dasari · December 6th, 2008, 02:15 PM

I bought 9 pin - 4 pin connector cable (Belkin make) from B&H. It worked like a charm :-)

November 30th, 2008, 07:03 PM	#1
Anil Dasari Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 47	How to connect HV20 to the new MacBook Pro Friends, I just bought a MacBook Pro and wanted to upload footage from my Canon HV20 to edit using iMovie. I then realized that the firewire-800 port that's on the MacBook Pro isn't good for the firewire cable I have. My old cable - which I successfully used to transfer footage from HV20 to a windows PC - has 4 pins, and the MacBook Pro firewire-800 port has 9 pins. I am sure there must be 4-pin to 9-pin cables or adopters available out there. The question is, which one is the best - a cable or an adopter? Any recommendations? Please help. Thank you.

November 30th, 2008, 07:51 PM	#2
Glenn Fisher Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Bridgewater, NJ Posts: 65	I would definitely go with a cable. With an adapter, there's more hassle and a greater chance for failure (more pieces to go wrong, plus, if for some reason your existing firewire cable gets loose in the adapter and makes a bad connection, then you might find yourself reimporting a lot of video). Granted, I've never had experience with either one, but from my studio experience in general, dedicated cables are much better than adapters, if feasible. Here's an example of the kind of cable that you need: General Brand \| FireWire-800 9-pin to 4-pin DV Cable - 6 \| VG015 (Cables from most retailers are incredibly overpriced..so I would recommend doing a quick google search for "cheap cables" wink) Best of luck to you, Glenn Fisher

November 30th, 2008, 11:12 PM	#3
Anil Dasari Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 47	Glenn, thank you for the suggestion. I'll go for the cable, then. Cheers.

December 6th, 2008, 02:15 PM	#4
Anil Dasari Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 47	I bought 9 pin - 4 pin connector cable (Belkin make) from B&H. It worked like a charm :-)