The M1 iMac FCPX and old Firewire devices

In the year 2021 very few people need to transfer VHS tapes or DV tapes but it seems like the new M1 iMac with FCPX and OS X will work just fine with the Firewire DV converters and DV camcorders. I imagine the M1 Mac Mini will work just fine as well.

Get a Retrotink 5X, plug your analog cables into that and let it upscale with adaptive deinterlacing. Then capture its HDMI output with your favorite capture device that can handle 1080p/60fps. Waaaaaaaaaay better results than you could achieve capturing natively with firewire.

I made the video to demonstrate that the M1 chip and latest version of OS X can support Firewire devices. I also think the DV converters are hassle free, reliable and offer good image quality but they do not have the best image quality. 

Thanks for the video. Good to know that FireWire capture devices still work with the M1 Macs.

- Ronny

I imagine it will work with Firewire based audio interfaces from MOTU and Presonus. There was speculation if the Thunderbolt 3 port of the M1 iMac would be limited. I don't think it is.