How can i transfer a mini dv tape from a camcorder to a macbook pro? (computer)?

-I have the firewire cable and the camcorder (Canon XHA1) connected to my laptop. Im really new to how to do this so bare with me. Once i plugged in the wire to my laptop, nothing popped up. Im trying to make it so I can put the tape to like imovie maker.You need to use iMovie to capture the video, in iMovie: File->Import from Camera. Before you do this, choose iMovie->Preferences, and in the 'Video' section, enable 'Import HD video as: Full - Original Size'. Capturing might take some time because iMovie automatically converts the HDV video into a format that is suitable for editing in iMovie.



The captured video will be stored in the folder 'iMovie Events' which is located within the 'Movies' folder. If the video is in HD then the file format is going to be .mov (QuickTime Movie) with video encoded using the Apple Intermediate Codec.



(based iMovie '09 / '11, but should work almost the same in iMovie '08)