Connecting a VCR to a Powerbook

[mdzwolf]

Hello everyone,

I am going to try and convert the old vhs tapes of when my siblings and I were younger to DVD for my mom for Christmas. I know I need some type of device that will allow me to hook up my vcr to my powerbook and convert the analog video to a digital format on my computer. My question is does anybody have any suggestions on what device I should get. I have been looking around the forums and have found a few things. If anybody had done something similar can you tell me what you used?

Thanks in advance for all of your help!

-Mark

[obeygiant]

you need the Sony DVMC DA1.
http://www.insanely-great.com/reviews/da1.html

[evilernie]

I'm no expert, but I believe higher-end digital video cameras can convert analog to digital.

[Applespider]

Yeah, most of the Sony digicams and several of the Canons and Panasonics do 'pass-through' recording. Basically, you hook up the video to the camcorder with an S video or standard av leads, then the camcorder to the Mac with a FW cable and set the camera just to pass the video through without recording to tape. It is real-time so it might take a while if you have a lot to do - bear in mind, you'll also need lots of HD space. It will be around 13GB per hour.

[mdzwolf]

I don't own a camera that is capable of converting analog to digital and I would prefer a cheaper option to buying one if possible.

[Stampyhead]

This product (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007KI7SU/104-0608251-1255920?v=glance&n=172282&n=507846&s=electronics&v=glance) is a little cheaper than the Sony version. You can skip the converter completely, though, if you have a digital camcorder. Just plug it in to the VCR and record the video tape to the camera tape, and then plug it into the computer and import it into iMovie or FCP or whatever.
Edit: Oops, didn't see your post stating you don't own a digital camcorder. Try the Pyro A/V Link that I linked to above. It usually goes for about $150.00

[MattG]

One of these will serve your purposes quite nicely -- I've got one at work and it works like a charm. You'll plug the VCR into this unit (RCA jacks), and you'll plug the unit into your Mac (FireWire port). iMovie / FC / FCE etc. all recognize this device. Just hit "import," press "play" on the VCR, and that's it!

http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/specs.aspx?EDC=694592

[CanadaRAM]

Or the Datavideo DAC-100 which should be a smidge cheaper than the Canopus.

http://www.datavideo.us/products/dac_100_main_page.htm

These are generally sold through camera/video dealers.

Thanks
Trevor
CanadaRAM.com

[ftaok]

I don't own a camera that is capable of converting analog to digital and I would prefer a cheaper option to buying one if possible.
Keep in mind that a Analog/Digital bridge will cost you nearly as much as a miniDV camcorder with A/D pass-thru. Nearly all miniDV camcorders these days have A/D pass-thru. Only the bottom of the line ones don't.

Instead of buying anything, can you borrow a miniDV unit from someone. Buy a bunch of tapes to convert the VCR tapes onto miniDV tapes while your importing to your Mac. Give the left over miniDV tapes to whoever you borrowed the camcorder from as a good will gesture.

In the future, when you get a miniDV camcorder, you'll have the tapes to go with it, along with the footage on your Mac.

ft