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VHS to Computer via Firewire?

N

Neo Mike

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jul 20, 2005
26
0
Hey Guys!
Just purchased a new 1.67 powerbook a while back, with maxxed out ram and vram, superdrive, etc.

Anyways, I'm planning on converting my VHS Collection to DVD... specifically, I have a bunch of my wife's basketball tapes of her playing varsity bball from back in the day, and she would love me to get them archived digitally on a dvd.

What hardware would I need to purchase to get this to work? I have a lacie drive for storing the files before I burn them to dvd. Is there any hardware that can do this for under say $500.00? What is recommended?

How hard is this to do? What program would I use? Final Cut Pro? or?

Thanks in advance!
 
Most DV cameras will allow you to record from an analog source, thus creating a digital copy on the DV tape. Then, it's as easy as import and edit. There are capture cards for somewhere around $100, but I would spring for a low end DV camera for the added functonality the camera offers.
 
I got one of these from the Apple store for $200. It does its job.

I just connect it to my PB via firewire, open iMovie and import.

I can even connect my TV to my PB and it acts as a really, REALLY crude Tivo.

but the DV camera is probably the better choice. Oy.
 
Neo Mike said:
Hey Guys!
Just purchased a new 1.67 powerbook a while back, with maxxed out ram and vram, superdrive, etc.

Anyways, I'm planning on converting my VHS Collection to DVD... specifically, I have a bunch of my wife's basketball tapes of her playing varsity bball from back in the day, and she would love me to get them archived digitally on a dvd.

What hardware would I need to purchase to get this to work? I have a lacie drive for storing the files before I burn them to dvd. Is there any hardware that can do this for under say $500.00? What is recommended?

How hard is this to do? What program would I use? Final Cut Pro? or?

Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...

there are firewire devices that will allow you to plug in an analog s-video or composite video to digitize film --- the other options is to use a MINI DV as a bridge, where you don't acctually have to record to one device and then to computer, but rather you can just play your video from your analog source through your DV camera and capture via firewire straight to computer hard drive --- Final Cut Pro would be the easiest ... but i've had success with iMovie aswell.
 
I've never tried to use the EyeTV 200 as a recording device, but that's listed as one of the features. Once your finished converting the video, you don't have a useless box. The EyeTV package is great. Right now you can get one for less than $300 or check eBay.
 
my 2 cents...

I have an elgato eye tv 200. got it for 200 shipped from elgato.. having a sale on refurb.. mine was new in shrink wrap..

Love it.. once you get use to the interface and hooked up to titan tv.. you are solid!

Very nice piece of equipment..
 
CanadaRAM said:
For a more professional unit, look at the Datavideo DAC-100
http://www.datavideo.us/products/dac_100_main_page.htm


Thanks
Trevor
CanadaRAM.com
Click to expand...
Any idea as to how this compares with a Canopus ADVC-110 (available from, among other places, the Apple Store)? I can't find a price on the DAC-100, but the ADVC-110 is ~US$300. It would seem, based on the info I can find, that the Canopus is better, but I wonder if anyone has a more informed opinion.
 
jsw said:
Any idea as to how this compares with a Canopus ADVC-110 (available from, among other places, the Apple Store)? I can't find a price on the DAC-100, but the ADVC-110 is ~US$300. It would seem, based on the info I can find, that the Canopus is better, but I wonder if anyone has a more informed opinion.
Click to expand...
The DAC-100 is CAN$299 here, should be US$199-$239 in the US
I haven't done a comparison, but I have several customers (universities mainly) who have compared them and have all decided to standardize on the DAC-100
 
CanadaRAM said:
The DAC-100 is CAN$299 here, should be US$199-$239 in the US
I haven't done a comparison, but I have several customers (universities mainly) who have compared them and have all decided to standardize on the DAC-100
Click to expand...
Thanks - that strongly suggests that, even if the DAc-100 is technically inferior (which is uncertain), it is certainly sufficient - and cheaper.
 
Hmm anyway to go straight thru my dv camera to the computer, or do I need to record it to the tape on the camera, then transfer it?
 
Neo Mike said:
Hmm anyway to go straight thru my dv camera to the computer, or do I need to record it to the tape on the camera, then transfer it?
Click to expand...

You can go straight through. I prefer Canon consumer cameras, but if you are looking for more prosumer equipment, I love Panasonic.
 
MacFan25863 said:
You can go straight through. I prefer Canon consumer cameras, but if you are looking for more prosumer equipment, I love Panasonic.
Click to expand...

Weird

IMovie Crashes if I try to go straight through. It seems I have to record to tape first?
 
Neo Mike said:
Weird

IMovie Crashes if I try to go straight through. It seems I have to record to tape first?
Click to expand...
This is actually very dependent on the camcorder - some require you tape it first simply because, although they accept analog input and do DV output, they can't do both at once. Since yours apparently can do both at once, perhaps the analog->digital converter isn't "good enough" for iMovie (syncing issues, etc.), and you'll need to tape it first, then transfer it.

Hopefully, if you're using a tape (i.e., have taped the VCR tape onto a DV tape), the DV transfer should work.

Best of luck!
 
Yeah seems to be working if I go to DV tape first.

Next question for you a/v experts:
How can i pull the audio from one of these videos once I get them on my Mac? I'd like to make an MP3 of a few of the clips...

Suggestions? Whats the easiest method?

I have final cut pro at my disposal, as well as imovie, etc...
 
Pinnacle MovieBox and iMovie

Hi,

Can someone help me out on this one? I want to convert VHS tapes to DVD but cannot get it done by the Moviebox and iMovie. I get the blue screen in iMovie with the message "Camera attached" but no visuals. What setting did I miss?

Thanks.
 
Moviebox and iMovie

Hi,

Somehow my Moviebox does recognize my Hi8 camera but not the Panasonic VCR. Do I need to switch to another setting? I do get the brue scren with the message the "camera is connected" but no visuals....

Raoul.
 
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