I cannot transfer my tapes from my Sony DCR-HC17E to my MacBook Pro 2020

Try importing to QuickTimePlayer or using the Image Capture app on your Mac.

Try toggling your camera on and off, and getting the camera playing before starting the import.

There is still the possibility that one of the cables or adapters are defective, or that the USB-C socket is not working. Possibly the export function on the camera is not working correctly.

If you have another Mac, or a friend has one, see if you can import into that one.

-- Rich

The Thunderbolt 2 to Thunderbolt 3 adaptor sold by Apple is referred by them as a Thunderbolt 2 to Thunderbolt 3 ( USB-C) because it has a USB-C type connector .

Many people refer to this as simply " Thunderbolt to USB-C connector" .

I believe that the author, BCDE, is using the correct adaptor.

In the link that Keith provided be sure to try the advice provided by David Ros.

No guarantee but worth a try.

" Hi. This same issue was driving me crazy, then I realized there is a privacy setting that blocks iMovie from accessing ANY "cameras" -- built-in FaceTime or a DV camcorder.

Go to System Settings => Privacy & Security => Camera, then look for iMovie in the list of apps and allow it to access the camera."

You are probably right, but sometimes folks use dodgy things they find on the internet. It does not appear to be an issue on his end, but on my 24" iMac, you have to make sure to plug into the USB-C Thunderbolt, and not the USb-C USB-C. Arrrgh!

Getting DV (Digital Video) onto current M… - Apple Community

You want a TB2 to TB 3 adapter, NOT USB-C.

Also, sometimes quicktime works better than iMovie.

Another gotcha is the legacy device support linked to in the article. I did not know this was a thing until I started writing the user tip!

Great. Glad it worked for you.

— Rich