Apple Mini-DVI to Video Adapter

[jota73]

Guys,

I bought the Apple Mini-DVI to Video Adapter pretending to connect a wireless camera (X10) I have tried several ways with no luck.
1.Is i t possible to connect this over my imac and check what is transmiting?
2. How do I connect my VHS so that I can record old movies on my mac? Do I need any software? or any other requirement, other than having the adapter?

thanks for your valuable help

Juan

 

[Chundles]

Guys,

I bought the Apple Mini-DVI to Video Adapter pretending to connect a wireless camera (X10) I have tried several ways with no luck.
1.Is i t possible to connect this over my imac and check what is transmiting?
2. How do I connect my VHS so that I can record old movies on my mac? Do I need any software? or any other requirement, other than having the adapter?

thanks for your valuable help

Juan

The adapter is for OUTPUTTING video from the DVI-out on the iMac and converting it to composite/s-video so you can watch it on a TV. It is not for inputting video from a device to the iMac. The DVI port on the iMac outputs video, it does not receive video signals.

To input video from a device to your iMac you need to either plug the camera in via Firewire or use an analogue -> digital converter. With such a converter you would plug the red/yellow/white analogue cables into the converter (a small box) and then the converter would plug into the iMac via Firewire.

You can't use the mini-DVI -> composite/s-video adapter to input video signals from a device into an iMac. It is purely for connecting the iMac's video output to a TV that doesn't have a VGA or DVI input.

 

[ravenvii]

The adapter is for video OUT, not video IN. You need to get a device that can receive video and convert it to either USB or Firewire. Most camcorders can do this job, as well as various TV tuners out there, such as EyeTV, or a analog converter.

EDIT: Beaten!

 

[uaaerospace]

2. How do I connect my VHS so that I can record old movies on my mac? Do I need any software? or any other requirement, other than having the adapter?

You'll need some type of analogue to digital convertor for this. I do it with my Canon digital camcorder, but there are many other cheaper solutions out there. The quality of the digital signal output to your iMac will vary depending on the quality of the convertor. Most likely, the video will be transfered to your iMac via a firewire connection. I don't have experience with any devices other than my camcorder, so I'll let someone else recommend something specific.

 

[wonkamas]

So you can go through your camcorder to input old analog videos?

Are you saying that you can use your camcorder as the go between from your old videos (vcr, old camcorder) to input into your computer via firewire?

You'll need some type of analogue to digital convertor for this. I do it with my Canon digital camcorder, but there are many other cheaper solutions out there. The quality of the digital signal output to your iMac will vary depending on the quality of the convertor. Most likely, the video will be transfered to your iMac via a firewire connection. I don't have experience with any devices other than my camcorder, so I'll let someone else recommend something specific.

 

[uaaerospace]

Are you saying that you can use your camcorder as the go between from your old videos (vcr, old camcorder) to input into your computer via firewire?

Yes, that's exactly it. I connect the VCR/old camcorder to the digital camcorder (that has a built in A->D converter), then connect the digital camcorder to the Mac via firewire.