Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
VHS to Mac hardware
- Thread starter Hassan69
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I haven't used anything like this is a while, but when I did, I used software and hardware called EyeTV.
I can't remember which version I have, but the hardware looked just like the one here:
It came with a composite A/V dongle and has built in F-connector for RF, and plugged into the Mac using USB.
It was perfect for getting digital copies of old VHS tape.
It also had a DVR feature on it too.
I would bet that there is an updated version of this.
I can't remember which version I have, but the hardware looked just like the one here:
Elgato Systems 10020974 EyeTV Hybrid TV Tuner Stick for Analog, HDTV and FM Radio Reception
Enjoy stunning quality HDTV on your Mac with EyeTV Hybrid. EyeTV Hybrid receives digital and analog TV by antenna or cable, so it not only turns your Mac into the world's most affordable flat-screen HDTV and DVR, it is also an excellent solution for the Digital Transition. EyeTV Hybrid also featu...
www.amazon.com
It came with a composite A/V dongle and has built in F-connector for RF, and plugged into the Mac using USB.
It was perfect for getting digital copies of old VHS tape.
It also had a DVR feature on it too.
I would bet that there is an updated version of this.
I use a Canopus ADVC-100 connected to one of my cMP's IEEE 1394 (FireWire) ports. This EXACT device has been replaced by newer models, but you can still find them for sale at various places. I like this model because it can defeat MacroVision on VHS tapes easily.
This device works for digitising VHS tapes (I have used it for that). But the Catalina compatible version of the EyeTV software is still in beta.I haven't used anything like this is a while, but when I did, I used software and hardware called EyeTV.
I can't remember which version I have, but the hardware looked just like the one here:
Elgato Systems 10020974 EyeTV Hybrid TV Tuner Stick for Analog, HDTV and FM Radio Reception
Enjoy stunning quality HDTV on your Mac with EyeTV Hybrid. EyeTV Hybrid receives digital and analog TV by antenna or cable, so it not only turns your Mac into the world's most affordable flat-screen HDTV and DVR, it is also an excellent solution for the Digital Transition. EyeTV Hybrid also featu...www.amazon.com
It came with a composite A/V dongle and has built in F-connector for RF, and plugged into the Mac using USB.
It was perfect for getting digital copies of old VHS tape.
It also had a DVR feature on it too.
I would bet that there is an updated version of this.
Eyetv 4.x for Mac 64 - bit (public beta + preview)
Blog 10: Eyetv Software for macOS 2019-12-18, Aachen - Shenzhen - Indianapolis DONE: Thank you very much for all your patience, the extraordinary support and criticism during the trial period. Today, Thursday 18.12.2019, after 15 months of development, we release our new macOS software Eyetv 4 (6...
eyetvforum.com
It's probably better to do it in Mojave or wait until EyeTV 4 is out of beta (it will almost for sure be a paid upgrade).
If you have an old video camera with analogue to digital pass thru, and a firewire port, you could try that option. iMovie should handle basic capture.
There has already been a few suggestions on how to accomplish this.
As for “best” software, this is pretty subjective, and this should be defined, such as price, quality, ease of use, or some other characteristics one might look for.
For example, if looking at best price, iMovie is free and can be used to capture video.
Unfortunately, you can't just connect to your Mac. You need a capture device.
I haven't used anything like this is a while, but when I did, I used software and hardware called EyeTV.
I can't remember which version I have, but the hardware looked just like the one here:
Elgato Systems 10020974 EyeTV Hybrid TV Tuner Stick for Analog, HDTV and FM Radio Reception
Enjoy stunning quality HDTV on your Mac with EyeTV Hybrid. EyeTV Hybrid receives digital and analog TV by antenna or cable, so it not only turns your Mac into the world's most affordable flat-screen HDTV and DVR, it is also an excellent solution for the Digital Transition. EyeTV Hybrid also featu...www.amazon.com
That is basically a TV tuner stick that will do VHS stuff on the side. You only need a capture device like the Canopus, mentioned above, or Elgato's Video Capture, which doesn't need the EyeTV software.
Elgato Video Capture – USB 2.0 Capture Card Device, Easy to Use, Convert Analog to Digital, with VHS VCR TV to DVD Adapter, for Mac, Windows or iPad
Transfer video to your Mac or PC from a VCR, DVR, camcorder, or any other analogue video device as a high quality H.264 file. Elgato Video Capture’s easy-to-use software assists you through every step, from connecting an analogue video device to capturing video and choosing how you will watch and...
www.amazon.com