Convert analog video to digital using a miniDV camcorder

Hi hi
So I want to convert some old analog videos I have from about 10 or so years ago to digital so I can edit them in iMovie HD. I've been reading a lot of the forums around and have successfully (I think) connect the analog video camera to the the miniDV (a Sony Handycam DCR-HC30E) using that A/V jack in the digital recorder and the analog to connect them. And the digital recorder is connected to the computer via firewire. So that's all right.
But now I'm up to the stage where I need to import it into iMovie HD (version 5.0.2) and it's been stubborn and not doing anything. I press play on the analog like people have said but iMovie just says "Camera no tape" and the "import" is unclickable.
Please please please please help! I've no idea what I'm doing wrong!
So just for quick reference, I'm using:
iMovie HD 5.0.2
Sony Handycam DCR-HC30E (Mini DV) and
Panasonic NV-VZ1 (analog video recorder)
P.S I don't want to have to record onto the the mini DV tapes because I've got none.
Thanks!

Hi catspaw! Thanks for replying
I probably should have mentioned before that I did change the 'A/V to DV out' to on, and I think that's the same as "passthrough"
And I've tried suggestion 2 as well, but to no avail! The connection either dropped once I took the tape out or it started to film on my iSight camera! Which is bizarre because my iMovie usually does not let me film with it! I've also been able to film with the camera connected to the computer and recording on the computer and see what I'm fliming on the computer.
But thanks for your help anyway!

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Convert analog video to digital using a miniDV camcorder

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