Playing VHS Tapes on Mac

[SMM]

I am not sure if this is the correct forum. If not please excuse me.

I would like to play some VHS tapes on my MacPro. It is configured thus:

2.33 GB Quad, 11 GB RAM, X1900, 1.75 TB Internal, 4 TB External
ADVC-100 Analog/Digital Converter w/ FW 400 connection to MP.
Sony DVD/VHS Combo

SW: VLC, FCS (FCP 6), QT Pro, and much more.

Problem: I cannot find a way to get any of the movie players to recognize the FW input from the ADVC as a video/audio source. They are all looking for a disk file, or a DVD. How does one solve this. I am not having any luck with the help. I can get a connection from within FCP, by setting it as a non-controllable device, and doing a batch capture. So, I am pretty certain I can read the source correctly.

Appreciate any help someone can provide.

Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving!

[davidjearly]

I am not sure if this is the correct forum. If not please excuse me.

I would like to play some VHS tapes on my MacPro. It is configured thus:

2.33 GB Quad, 11 GB RAM, X1900, 1.75 TB Internal, 4 TB External
ADVC-100 Analog/Digital Converter w/ FW 400 connection to MP.
Sony DVD/VHS Combo

SW: VLC, FCS (FCP 6), QT Pro, and much more.

Problem: I cannot find a way to get any of the movie players to recognize the FW input from the ADVC as a video/audio source. They are all looking for a disk file, or a DVD. How does one solve this. I am not having any luck with the help. I can get a connection from within FCP, by setting it as a non-controllable device, and doing a batch capture. So, I am pretty certain I can read the source correctly.

Appreciate any help someone can provide.

Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving!

The first thing that springs to mind is that if you are using a scart/composite cable to connect the ADVC to the VCR, there might be a switch on the end of the cable adapter to switch between input and output. Toggle this and see if that makes any difference.

[SMM]

The first thing that springs to mind is that if you are using a scart/composite cable to connect the ADVC to the VCR, there might be a switch on the end of the cable adapter to switch between input and output. Toggle this and see if that makes any difference.

No switch I am afraid. But, it that was the issue, I would not be able to 'batch capture' in FCP, would I? Are VLC, QT capable of playing movies from digital source like I am attempting to do? If so, what are the settings? Thanks.

[Super Macho Man]

QT Player/VLC are not able to do what you're wanting them to. Try this: http://www.mitzpettel.com/software/vidi.php

[Kankki]

I would like to play some VHS tapes on my MacPro. It is configured thus:

2.33 GB Quad, 11 GB RAM, X1900, 1.75 TB Internal, 4 TB External
ADVC-100 Analog/Digital Converter w/ FW 400 connection to MP.
Sony DVD/VHS Combo

SW: VLC, FCS (FCP 6), QT Pro, and much more.

Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving!

*Showoff* XD

[SMM]

QT Player/VLC are not able to do what you're wanting them to. Try this: http://www.mitzpettel.com/software/vidi.php

Thanks for the referral. Looking at documentation one can watch the video while 'copying', which I want to avoid. However, it may just be the way the documentation was written. I will find out. These tapes are commercially protected with macrovision (guessing). As long as it lets me view the 'source', then all should be well. I can just delete the copy. I actually own a device that installs between the VCR and the ADVC. It defeats the security. However, I really do not want to go down that path.

[cohibadad]

You would need something like EyeTV to view an analog source like VHS. QT and VLC won't work for what you intend.

[JeffTL]

If you have an analog-digital converter box, you could use something like Video Viewer. I've used it along with a VCR to watch TV.

[dolphin842]

To clarify the OP's question... all you want is to view the VCR feed going through the ADVC, right?

If so, Apple has a developer example app that does just what you want. It's called WhackedTV and it lets you view and (optionally) record a firewire DV stream (the type that comes from the ADVC). You can find it here (http://developer.apple.com/samplecode/WhackedTV/index.html). Just add the video and audio track from the window that pops up, adjust sound settings (it makes it real quiet by default), and you're good to go.

[Dimwhit]

You could use iMovie, and rather than import it, just play it. I think you can do it in full screen, too.