For anyone who needs to go from DigiBeta to ProRes 422 on a MacBook Pro, here’s the deal:
Digibeta deck (Sony DVW A500) via SDI/BNC (audio follows video) to AJA IO HD box (hardware conversion to HD–firewire800 to MBP), Final Cut Pro will recognize the AJA and you can choose the in/out codec of your dreams, Log and Capture, Sonnet Tempo Express 34 SATA card to external drive (or express card firewire 800 if you like).
*Don’t forget to install the drivers and updates for the AJA and Sonnet express card.
*you need to use the express slot because the AJA going into the 800 port maxes the firewire bus, and USB 2 not recommended for HD throughput.
So I answered my own question and just did selects off a troughful of digibetas with fine results. I hope this helps someone someday.
Peace.