Copy from VHS to DVD and edit on a Mac?

[-DH]

I have a DV cam... so I can just hook that up via firewire, and digitize that way?

Yes.

-DH

 

[ChrisA]

Is the footage interlaced if I imported it through a DV camcorder from a VCR?

All standard definition TV is interlaced. Once the data are in the computer you can convert it to "whatever". If you are going to mix it with still images upscalling the DV to HD makes sense. Your stills are very likely way better then 1080p so you could scale your DV up to some HDTV format.

 

[diamond3]

All standard definition TV is interlaced. Once the data are in the computer you can convert it to "whatever". If you are going to mix it with still images upscalling the DV to HD makes sense. Your stills are very likely way better then 1080p so you could scale your DV up to some HDTV format.

So if you do this, does this make the video you import take up more space than 12-13gb an hour? Also, when you burn it to a disc won't it still be the same size compressed with the same resolution. I have always selected miniDV when its just an older tape that I am passing through, but if I create a project with a little bit of pictures and video can it be 2 hours long and fit on a standard 4.7gb dvd?

 

[-DH]

Also, when you burn it to a disc won't it still be the same size compressed with the same resolution.

It may be the same pixel resolution, but the video information is heavily compressed to reduce the file size. The basics of it is that DVD-Video is made of specially formatted MPEG-2 which is a GOP (group of pictures) based codec. Each GOP starts with an I frame of full video information for each color channel. To save space (compression), for the next 14 frames, all information is tossed out if there is no change from the previous frame - only pixels that change are included ... that's a VERY basic description of the compression process.

I have always selected miniDV when its just an older tape that I am passing through, but if I create a project with a little bit of pictures and video can it be 2 hours long and fit on a standard 4.7gb dvd?

It can be longer than that, but as the program length increases, the bit rate will need to be decreased (keeping the file size down) so it will fit onto a DVD. This also reduces quality. But if a large portion of the program consists of still images (no movement from frame to frame over their duration), the bit rate can be increased to keep the quality level higher.

-DH

 

[Gentile]

How does this process change if you want to convert the imovie project to an AppleTv format instead of a dvd?

I can get the VHS tape onto the imac using my MiniDV camcorder and import it into imovie.

I am not interested in dvd at all, but would like to watch the home movie on the computer or eventually on my HDTV using AppleTv.

On a related note, does anyone have any suggestions about stabilizing the original VHS tape. On a couple tapes I want to transfer, the picture moves and jumps like it needs tracking. However, changing the tracking does not fix the problem. Are there VCRs that do better at fixing the image. Currently I don't have a VCR, but could either borrow or purchase one (they still sell them right?😀 )

 

[SMM]

Something like this?

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicat...54-1010&SRCCODE=GOOGLEBASE&CMP=OTC-GOOGLEBASE

Is there anything out there more affordable?

I have the ADVC300 and love it. However, it was <$300 when I bought it. I am surprised to see that price. You might shop it out and find a better deal. Or, you may find one used. Someone may have purchased one to do a large project, but no longer uses it.

If you can manage to get one, you will like the results. I am not sure why others have issues editing. FCP does an easy job of it. The quality of the final product is about the same as what was on the tape, or even a little better (allowing for some color correction, etc).

 

[odedia]

I just bought an LG standalone DVD recorder. Copied lots of stuff and it looks excellent.

 

[Angsty]

I am currently using the EyeTV Hybrid analogue tuner to connect my VHS machine to my Mac and capture the video (in EyeTV Recordings list). I then export the file to iMovie where I edit and add slide shows, then burn to DVD with iDVD.