Anybody into Apple macs for mini DV conversion?

[mjheathcote]

I've a box of Video8 and mini DV's tapes I need to convert to HDD. The Video8 being analog I'll need to video capture but most from 2000 to 2012 are mini DV.
I can use an ancient Toshiba HDD/DVD recorder to get them onto DVD but clunky.
I'm thinking with the mini DV using maybe a mac mini with the third generation having firewire/thunderbolt and imovie.
I'll be honest I haven't used a modern mac before but thinking this method may be the easiest. Mac minis of this generation are available for reasonable money on eBay.
I don't want to leave the transfer too long to the point that transfer becomes difficult with compatability, plus what has brought this to a head is that a friend has discovered his mini DV has failed, I've checked mine and it still plays back okay.
Any guidence welcome!

 

[CatmanV2]

Take it to a local specialist. Way too much hassle otherwise.

C

 

[mjheathcote]

Take it to a local specialist. Way too much hassle otherwise.

C

That's a cop out!

 

[Ebenezer]

Very simple and cheap to get a firewire card if you have a desktop PC with a free slot on the motherboard
I keep meaning to do the same thing. But it is a faff as you need to do a rough edit to get rid of most of the rubbish!

Eb

 

[CatmanV2]

That's a cop out!

Not really because.....

I keep meaning to do the same thing. But it is a faff as you need to do a rough edit to get rid of most of the rubbish!

This.

Really

C

 

[MrMickS]

It’s a while since I did anything with DV. I don’t have a camera capable of it anymore.

This would be fairly simple to do with a FireWire capable MacMini. Especially if you are just looking to transfer across. My Dad has been using a Mac Mini and iMovie to process his DV tapes so it is possible. I can find out which model he has if you want.

 

[Wanderer]

You'll probs need lots of diskspace too, couple of external 2.5 USB's be reet.