Im a new user and Ive been searching the forums for awhile. Im using a MacBook Pro with Leopard. Everywhere online I see that FCP will work with the XL2. How do I know if my laptop recognize my XL2 because I dont see any addition icons on my laptop nor do anything happen when start FCP. If all else fails what other options do I have to get the footage off my miniDV tape.. Even on a PC when I try to record straight to my PC using Canon software, 5 minutes of my recording is over 1 gig so thats not an option.

A DV camera won't show up on your desktop because only hard drives, network drives, and CDs are displayed. In FCP, go to the File menu and click Log and Capture. There a window will show up with tape transport controls, preview, and other options. Use the buttons on the screen, or the J, K, and L keys to wind, pause, and rewind the tape.