[JCheyne]

The Magic iMovie feature of the new iMovie HD requires a camera connected via Firewire, not USB. Is there a way to fake this (via an adapter or converter) with a USB camera connection?
A related question: Is there a way to create a rough and ready iMovie project in iMovie HD using a collection of movie clips without having to place each clip and transition manually? Perhaps a template of some sort? The Magic iMovie feature sounds like this is exactly what it does, but I'd like to get around the Firewire-only restriction if possible.

[ftaok]

What kind of camcorder do you have? Most (if not all) miniDV camcorders have FW ports. So why not use FW?
I'm sure you have a good reason, I'm just curious.

[JCheyne]

I've no reason not to use a cam's firewire capability if it's available. The question for me centers on the possibility of using a USB device in a Firewire port through an adapter or converter, and, if that's possible, would that option meet iMovie HD's requirements of a Firewire cam for the Magic iMovie feature.
Here's why: I've been assigned a project that requires me to input video from a variety of cameras. I won't have the specs on the cameras until just before the project begins, and the output each needs is a rough-cut iMovie project, which of course I'm required to generate in much too short of a time.
The Magic iMovie feature seems to offer a solution, but it would be good to know going in: if someone's cam happens to be USB 2 only, without a Firewire option (however unlikely that might be), is this converter/adapter solution available.

[Nobody]

Firewire and USB2 use a completely different protocol to communicate/transfer information, therefore, it stands to reason that a simple adapter has to do considerably more than merely connect the two ports... a bidirectional layer of interpretation and interchange would be required. It would also make sense that if emulation is correct, the data stream would conform to standards of FW and therefore indistinguishable by the application. There is a little matter of rates of transfer. Given that at the practical level, USB2 is already slower than FW, through conversion, transfer rates would drop down a little more and it the application actually tests the actual transfer rates (much higher needs for HD version), it is entirely possible that the converted stream may fail such a test. Given the slower rates of USB2, I'm not sure that it would make sense for someone to produce such a device.
But to be specific, I have not come across such a device yet.

[cokeeffe]

http://www.pixela-1.com/capycable.htm
Firewire to USB 2.0 DV Transfer Cable
[USB Type A Connector to 4 Pin Firewire]

http://www.usbfirewi.../fadapters.html
This has a 6 pin firewire to 4 pin firewire cable as well as the iPod USB/FireWire Converter.

[DanSlagle]

I SERIOUSLY doubt that would work. But if it does let me know. /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif