Well, since this unit has a firewire connection you need to connect the 4 pin (small) firewire to the camcorder and the 6 pin (large/looks like a house) to the MacBook. You will need either iMovie or Final Cut Pro in order to capture footage. Depending on the program the capturing directions will differ. In FCP t is File. Log and Capture. In iMovie there is an Import button on the large screen to the left of the window.