VHS into mac
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- ad1
can anyone tell me the best / cheapest way to get old vhs recordings (picture only needed) into my mac for editing? i need some sort of a cheap firewire usb box/wire ting? googles confusing here for an idjut like me. thanks gang.
- ********0
you're going to want to have a VHS player that will feed into some software application that records it. I have no idea what that software would be. Maybe something from Avid or Adobe Premiere or whatever. Record it, edit it, slice, whatever then export digitally.
- acescence0
you could probably transfer from vhs to a dv cam, and connect the camera with fw or usb, whatev, to transfer.
i know nothing about video, don't listen to me.
- Mimio0
You get an s-video or av capture card. They make external usb/firewire ones.
- kyl30
If you have a dv camera with firewire and rca plugs you patch thru and use it as a capture device
- orkman0
Um, VHS is analog and so to convert to digital you need a Analog to Digital converter like from Canopus or ADS. I bought one from ADS and it give me fits at first, but seems to be ok now after working out the bugs. I borrowed a Canopus from a friend for testing and it worked best.
You would run s-Video or RCA cables from your VCR into the converter deck, and then it goes through firewire into your MAC.
Mine cost $189, not sure what they run now.
- groog0
http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-…
Looks like an analog to digital converter box, then iMovie recognizes it...
Need one meself
- groog0
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product…
here's another one. It and the previous are both Firewire. Looks like they're around $200 (US).
Both are indicated for Mac, and when plugged into FW port show up as camera in capture program (Premiere, FinalCut, iMovie)
- fullerc0
I bought some SONY box for like $350 US. Tried ti use it once, couldn't get it to work now I have a $350 box sitting under my desk.
- prophet0NE0
get an old, cheap dazzle bridge..
- pocho0
what kyl3 said works brilliant. any of the Canon ZR series cameras has a capture converter built in. Works great...i've seen older ZR20 like mine for sale for less than 225 bones.
- ad10
thanks for all the help chaps - this is the cheapest Mac compatible bet so far BUT ...there must be a cheaper option!?
http://www.reviewcentre.com/revi…
£99 at apple
- kyl30
tellin' you, for the price of a converter you could digital8 cam
- ad10
not a bad shout kyl - more toysl!
- theplanet0
listen to what kyle3 said, dont buy a converter. just play the tape on your vcr
run the rca cables from your vcr into a digital video camera (rca are the red, yellow and white cables)then capture just like you would normal digital video using firewire out of your camera.
If you are using FCP, change the input device to "non-controlable device" in the capture window.
your video camera will do exactly what those converters will do, change the analog signal to digital.
Josh
- fullerc0
it was $399!!!
- groog0
thanks planet, kyle!
i have an older Canon ZR10 and it has a single RCA in/out.
the hookups seem logical, so do you just record the VHS input onto DV tape, then capture as normal?
- Mimio0
Don't see how using the outputs on a cam will work, unless he has a cam that reels VHS.
- kyl30
you don't need to record to dv first just patch it all together press play on the vcr and check your capture screen to see if your getting the picture. might have to futs around with the dv cam a little but it should work. try setting the dv cam to record then put on pause if you don't see the pic right away.
- theplanet0
no man, you dont need to record it to dv, when you run the rca into the camera it converts it to digital and you should be able to see it on your computer through firewire.
You may need to change some settings on your camera, in the menu some cameras you might need to change the input settings.
The converters are great if you are doing this everyday and you need it dedicated, but for a one time thing this works just as well.
Ive done this alot with a few different cameras, so if you are having problems feel free to email me.
Josh
- theplanet0
Kyl3 beat me to it.