IMovie nor Final Cut Pro will import video from camcorder

Question

Both iMovie 10.0.5 and the Final Cut Pro Trial I just downloaded (to test before purchasing) will not import my movie.  The movie plays on my camcorder and it plays in both iMovie and Final Cut but when I click to import, a message appears in the top right corner that reads:  NO DATA FROM DEVICE.
Once again, the movie plays on the camera AND plays on the screen.  But there is nothing recorded into an event and no file / data transferred to the computer.
I searched the support forums and tried a freeware named DEBUT.  It worked but the video playback was very poor, scratchy and blurry.  
Processor 3.5 GHz  Intel Core i7
Memory 16 GB 1600 MHz DDR3
OSX 10.9.5
Camera Sony DCR-TRV460  (8MM, Digial 8, Hi8 tapes)
Firewire 4 pin to Firewire 800 cable, into Firewire to Thunderbolt adaptor, into iMac.
How do I get these old tapes into iMovie or Final Cut for editing?

Answer 1

I don't think I can help with your Digital 8 directly into iMovie 10.0.5 or FCPX, but try a few work-arounds.
Try copying iMovie'09 from old to new Mac via a memory stick or external HD. It is only 250 MB.
This still may not work on the new Mac as it may be an issue with Digital 8/Mavericks combination. Any way if you can get iMovie 09 onto new Mac ,give it a try.
OR
Buy an external HD and transfer some data onto this to free up some space on your MacBook.
Then use your MacBook /iMovie 09 to import to Events onto your external HD.
Connect external HD to new Mac and import the  DV files in Media of iMovie 09 into FCPX.
A word of caution!
When the files are imported into FCPX from the Media in iMovie 09 check to see if files are copied or just referenced.
If they are copied then you can delete them from iMovie 09, if they are referenced then you must not delete from 09.
You can normally tell: if copied then it takes a while to transfer,If referenced then done almost immediately.
My guess is ,they will be copied, but check.
The above is a bit messy but may get you moving with your new Mac.
Buying a new Mac is an expensive way of overcoming an overloaded HD on the MacBook. Cheaper to buy an external HD.
This may be useful;
How can i move or copy projects and events to an external drive? (Version 9 and earlier)
Someone may be able to suggest a fix for Digital 8 into FCPX directly.