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Video conversion from analog.

iShater

iShater

macrumors 604
Original poster
Aug 13, 2002
7,027
470
Chicagoland
Greetings folks, I have a friend that got interested in Macs after messing around with his Dell to make a video clip out of a wedding video tape. We are currently looking at what machine might work for him.

My question is regarding peripherals that do that analog-to-digital conversion for video. He has a VHS camcorder and tons of tapes that he wants to convert and finally make into DVDs.

I read a review about Dazzle's DV Bridge, but at $299 it is a little steep. Any suggestions for other hardware solutions that might be cheaper yet can work well with iMovie?

If we can figure this out, we might have a new Mac guy ... which I can use to convince my wife to let me get my own Mac too! :D

Thanks!
 
The Dazzle is one of the cheaper options. Other options are the Formac Studio and the Canopus something.

Another way to go would be to borrow a miniDV camera from someone. miniDV cameras can usually serve as a bridge as well.
 
Originally posted by ftaok
The Dazzle is one of the cheaper options. Other options are the Formac Studio and the Canopus something.

Another way to go would be to borrow a miniDV camera from someone. miniDV cameras can usually serve as a bridge as well.
Click to expand...

ftoak is right, if you can borrow ad miniDV camera that would be the cheapest option. You should be able to find the Dazzle Hollywood DV Bridge for $200-$250 on line. If you pay more than $250 for it yer gettin' screwed.


Lethal
 
Originally posted by LethalWolfe


ftoak is right, if you can borrow ad miniDV camera that would be the cheapest option. You should be able to find the Dazzle Hollywood DV Bridge for $200-$250 on line. If you pay more than $250 for it yer gettin' screwed.


Lethal
Click to expand...

I have a miniDV camera myself. Would I have to record form the source on to a minDV tape and then play that and capture the output on the Mac? or do the cameras input/output at the same time as a bridge? is option 1 bad for the camera?

Thanks!
 
Originally posted by LethalWolfe
Most DV cameras can be used as a bridge and that won't hurt the camera.


Lethal
Click to expand...

Sweet, thank you very much!

One last question, are iMove and iDVD MP aware?
 
Analogue to DV

This sounds great I've been waiting for a way to convert some VHS, how do I use my DV camcorder to bridge to imovie.
 
Re: Analogue to DV

Originally posted by BB1985
This sounds great I've been waiting for a way to convert some VHS, how do I use my DV camcorder to bridge to imovie.
Click to expand...

I am guessing that a DV camcorder would pass the input signal it is getting from your analog source (e.g. VCR) and pass it through the firewire port as a digital signal.

However, I am not sure if this works with all DV cameras. I don't have my Mac or a firewire-equipped PC so I can't verify.

Anybody out there who has done this successfully?
 
Originally posted by mmmdreg
A bit of a resurrected thread but I do search. I want to shove my VHS onto my mac so all I need is a digiCam with and a VCR?
Click to expand...

not all digicams will work as such. but many/most will... not sure if there's a specific tech spec that would let you know without just trying it.
 
Originally posted by jelloshotsrule
not all digicams will work as such. but many/most will... not sure if there's a specific tech spec that would let you know without just trying it.
Click to expand...

analogue i/o is what yr looking for, but beware. i bought a sharp viewcam dv from B&H last year specifically to use as a minidv editing deck and analogue bridge. the specs said anologue i/o, but i found out that the cam won't let you do anologue in and DV out at the same time. that reminds me, i have to start a thread about B&H...
 
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