Digitise Super8 film

[r6mile]

Hello,

I have some old Super8 tapes I would like to digitise at home. I have the original Sony camera, which has a/v output - I believe originally designed to connect to a TV. I have the RFU-85 adapter, with audio in/out and video in/out connections - I believe it can use a composite cable.

I am trying to figure out the best/most cost effective way to connect to my desktop to capture the video. I have a 2012 i7 Mac Mini (it has USB and Firewire as possible inputs?). Any recommendations on what sort of adapter I might need?

Does anyone also have recommendations on what software I should use to then capture the video?

thanks!

 

[ColdCase]

Elgato sells both analog (composite) and digital video capture hardware and software that works well on a mac.

Video Capture

Digitize video from a VCR, camcorder and other analog video sources for playback on your Mac, PC and iPad. Transfer video to your Mac or PC from a VCR, DVR, camcorder, or any other analog video device as a high-quality H.264 file. Elgato Video Capture’s e

www.elgato.com

 

[MacNut]

Elgato sells both analog (composite) and digital video capture hardware and software that works well on a mac.

Video Capture

Digitize video from a VCR, camcorder and other analog video sources for playback on your Mac, PC and iPad. Transfer video to your Mac or PC from a VCR, DVR, camcorder, or any other analog video device as a high-quality H.264 file. Elgato Video Capture’s e

www.elgato.com

I wonder how well that will hold video sync with audio.

The question is how much to you want to spend to do this. Firewire and thunderbolt don't play nice without a converter.

 

[ColdCase]

I've captured hours and hours of video, both composite and HDMI. Never noticed a sync issue. In the old days USB was not fast enough to support good quality video capture, so firewire was used. Now days USB 3 is certainly fast enough for real time 1080P 30fps.

 

[Garnou]

I would also recommend Elgato

 

[rajs]

Hello,

I have some old Super8 tapes I would like to digitise at home. I have the original Sony camera, which has a/v output ...

Can you share the exact model of Sony camera you have -- as it may well have an ieee1394 (iLink / firewire) connector on it. If that is the case -- you are in luck as you would already have the converter tech built into your camera and you'd be able to transfer over in the best quality possible to your Mac. Take a look at this post by me from some time ago. Again depends on the model of camera / camcorder you have.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/updated-old-video-tapes-conversion-via-thunderbolt-firewire-for-camcorders-video-decks-and-players-that-supported-ieee-1394-firewire-ilink.2321691/?post=30568806#post-30568806

FYI -- Ive been able to do above technique for quite a few years MacOS High Sierra to Monterrey. Has been done using iMac 27 2011 (i7 CPU), MacBook Air 2011, Mac mini (M1 CPU), MacBook Pro (M1Pro CPU).