Uploaded April 2022 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
In this video we take a look a recent issue that people have started reporting where MiniDV and HDV Camcorders no longer seem to work with Mac's using FireWire. I've made similar videos in the past showing this working, so what happened? In this video, we figure it out. I also provide a workaround if you are stuck in this situation.
*UPDATE*
Apple fixed this issue in the macOS 12.4 update. See my updated video here: youtu.be/gsb13ivdyQI and youtu.be/P5PdxKTmL0I
Updated video for Mac users: youtu.be/YKVh9GJRTUI - avoid macOS 26 Tahoe!
*Time Stamps*
0:00 - Start
0:27 - Background
1:08 - What we are doing
1:14 - Testing with Intel and Big Sur
2:43 - Testing with M1 and Monterey 12.3.1
4:05 - Testing with Intel and Monterey 12.3.1
4:36 - Testing with M1 and Monterey 12.2.1
5:18 - Conclusion of tests
5:50 - Let's prove our hypothesis
6:41 - Yep it's broken again
6:57 - What about other FireWire devices?
7:22 - FireWire audio interface still works
7:36 - FireWire hard drive still works
8:15 - A workaround
8:39 - Wrap Up
*Here are links to where you can buy the items shown in the video:*
Apple Thunderbolt 3 and 4 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 1 and 2 Adapter:
amzn.to/2O6rB10
Apple Thunderbolt to FireWire Adapter: (if unavailable, watch youtu.be/LXXSZdOZb-k for more info)
amzn.to/2W0FX68
FireWire 800 to 400 mini plug cable:
amzn.to/2TCSGz1
Other FireWire options:
amzn.to/3LZnh0B
Other items I recommend:
amazon.com/shop/scottschramm
*How to downgrade your Mac*
(Make sure you have a full backup of your data first!)
For Intel Mac's:
makeuseof.com/tag/downgrade-macos-version
For Apple Silicon (M1, etc) Mac's:
mrmacintosh.com/how-to-reinstall-macos-on-your-apple-silicon-mac-everything-you-need-to-know
How to get old versions of macOS
support.apple.com/en-gb/HT211683
Installing macOS on a separate APFS volume
support.apple.com/en-us/HT208891
*Other videos that may help you:*
How to connect a FireWire Audio Interface to a Mac or PC with Thunderbolt 3/USB-C
youtu.be/0EhzlqH9fMo
How to connect FireWire devices into a Windows PC with Thunderbolt 3/USB-C
youtu.be/GASIuX1mqwE
How to connect FireWire devices to a new M1 Mac with Apple Silicon
youtu.be/x5ISyI3VcWo
How to troubleshoot Thunderbolt/FireWire issues on your Mac:
youtu.be/P5PdxKTmL0I
(note the Amazon links in this video description are affiliate links which help support my channel. Your price stays the same but a small commission may come back to me if you decide to purchase anything using my links. It's a win-win for everyone!)
In this video we take a look a recent issue that people have started reporting where MiniDV and HDV Camcorders no longer seem to work with Mac's using FireWire. I've made similar videos in the past showing this working, so what happened? In this video, we figure it out. I also provide a workaround if you are stuck in this situation.
*UPDATE*
Apple fixed this issue in the macOS 12.4 update. See my updated video here: youtu.be/gsb13ivdyQI and youtu.be/P5PdxKTmL0I
Updated video for Mac users: youtu.be/YKVh9GJRTUI - avoid macOS 26 Tahoe!
*Time Stamps*
0:00 - Start
0:27 - Background
1:08 - What we are doing
1:14 - Testing with Intel and Big Sur
2:43 - Testing with M1 and Monterey 12.3.1
4:05 - Testing with Intel and Monterey 12.3.1
4:36 - Testing with M1 and Monterey 12.2.1
5:18 - Conclusion of tests
5:50 - Let's prove our hypothesis
6:41 - Yep it's broken again
6:57 - What about other FireWire devices?
7:22 - FireWire audio interface still works
7:36 - FireWire hard drive still works
8:15 - A workaround
8:39 - Wrap Up
*Here are links to where you can buy the items shown in the video:*
Apple Thunderbolt 3 and 4 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 1 and 2 Adapter:
amzn.to/2O6rB10
Apple Thunderbolt to FireWire Adapter: (if unavailable, watch youtu.be/LXXSZdOZb-k for more info)
amzn.to/2W0FX68
FireWire 800 to 400 mini plug cable:
amzn.to/2TCSGz1
Other FireWire options:
amzn.to/3LZnh0B
Other items I recommend:
amazon.com/shop/scottschramm
*How to downgrade your Mac*
(Make sure you have a full backup of your data first!)
For Intel Mac's:
makeuseof.com/tag/downgrade-macos-version
For Apple Silicon (M1, etc) Mac's:
mrmacintosh.com/how-to-reinstall-macos-on-your-apple-silicon-mac-everything-you-need-to-know
How to get old versions of macOS
support.apple.com/en-gb/HT211683
Installing macOS on a separate APFS volume
support.apple.com/en-us/HT208891
*Other videos that may help you:*
How to connect a FireWire Audio Interface to a Mac or PC with Thunderbolt 3/USB-C
youtu.be/0EhzlqH9fMo
How to connect FireWire devices into a Windows PC with Thunderbolt 3/USB-C
youtu.be/GASIuX1mqwE
How to connect FireWire devices to a new M1 Mac with Apple Silicon
youtu.be/x5ISyI3VcWo
How to troubleshoot Thunderbolt/FireWire issues on your Mac:
youtu.be/P5PdxKTmL0I
(note the Amazon links in this video description are affiliate links which help support my channel. Your price stays the same but a small commission may come back to me if you decide to purchase anything using my links. It's a win-win for everyone!)
