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How to Connect a Video Camera to a Mac

Contributor
By John Ford
eHow Contributing Writer
(3 Ratings)
Connect a Video Camera to a Mac
Connect a Video Camera to a Mac
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Connecting a video camera to your Mac to import digital video might be just one of the easiest things you'll ever do on your computer. All you'll need is the proper FireWire cable and the Mac's "Plug and Play" ease of use.

From Quick Guide: About Computer Cables
Difficulty: Easy
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • Four-to-six pin FireWire (IEEE 1394) cable.

    How to Connect a Video Camera to a Mac.

  1. Step 1
    Firewire logo
     
    Firewire logo

    You probably already have the proper FireWire cable, as most of today's modern video cameras will have one included in the box. If you don't, you'll need to get a FireWire cable, available at most computer and electronics stores. It's important to make sure that you get a FireWire cable made especially for transferring video from your recorder to your Mac. Nearly all video recorders use a four-pin connector, so you'll need to purchase a FireWire cable, sometimes called an IEEE 1394 cable, with a four-pin connector on one side and a six-pin connector on the other.

  2. Step 2
    Four-pin connector on a FireWire cable.
     
    Four-pin connector on a FireWire cable.

    The first step is to locate the four-pin FireWire port on your video camera. On most video cameras, you'll find it located under a plastic or rubber boot. Leave the video camera powered off and simply lift up the boot from the camera and insert the smaller four-pin end of the FireWire cable into the the FireWire port of the camera.

  3. Step 3
    Six-pin FireWire port.
     
    Six-pin FireWire port.

    Once the video camera is connected, take the other end of the FireWire cable, the larger six pin end, and insert it into the FireWire port of your Mac. When both of the cables are connected, you can turn on the power to your video camera.

  4. Step 4

    In a few seconds your Mac should automatically launch iMovie. Follow the on-screen instructions on your Mac and begin the video transfer from your video camera to your Mac.

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