GearMath MiniDV Extraction Tool
Plug in your camcorder. Press capture. Done.
A desktop app for Mac and Windows that captures your MiniDV tapes over FireWire (or USB on the few camcorders that support it), splits them into clips by the date and time they were recorded, and, if you want, upscales them to HD. Coming soon – join the waitlist.
How it works
- 1Download the free app and sign in with your Gearmath account.
- 2Plug in: the app detects your camcorder or deck and checks your FireWire/USB connection.
- 3Capture: one button, real time (a 60-min tape takes about 60 min); you keep the original DV file.
- 4Unlock HD: pay per tape with Gearmath credits to get the HD upscale and shot split.
Free to download and capture. HD upscale + shot split is paid per tape with credit packs – prices will be confirmed at launch.
Compatibility
- macOS 11 Big Sur – 15 Sequoia: captures over FireWire with Apple Thunderbolt adapters.
- macOS 26 Tahoe removed FireWire, so it can't capture over FireWire.
- Windows 10/11: needs a desktop PCIe FireWire card, or a camcorder that sends DV over USB.
Three ways to digitise your tapes
1. DIY with your own kit
Use the GearMath MiniDV Extraction Tool with your own camcorder or deck and cables. Coming soon.
2. Rent the kit, then use the tool
No working camcorder? Renting is a great option: hire a MiniDV camera or deck with all its cables, capture with the tool, send it back.
- Yellow Cactus: Panasonic NV-DS5B MiniDV camcorder, £45/day
- New Day Pictures, Kingston: Sony GV-HD700E MiniDV/HDV deck, £40/day
- DV Camera Hire, London W1: MiniDV camcorders, from £75 + VAT/day
- Jim's Retro Video Club via Hygglo: Sony VX2100 package, £65/day
Prices as listed on 18 Oct 2026.
3. Done for you
Send your tapes to Yellow Cactus, the MiniDV partner of GearMath, and they handle everything. It costs more than DIY.
Price: quote from Yellow Cactus.
Get a quote from Yellow CactusJoin the waitlist
The waitlist form needs JavaScript.