Advice on converting analog Hi8mm tapes to digital

Hi,
I am looking for advice on converting some Hi8mm analog video tapes to digital. They are not my tapes but I would still prefer to obtain a good quality transfer. I may do some editing on a few of them in PRE and would like to maintain the ability to edit them in the future.
At present, I've bought a Roxio easyVHStoDVD USB converter which states it can capture in DV-AVI format but doesn't actually appear able to do so. Results so far at capturing have been finicky at best but I'm still working on it but am wary because the format captured is not DV-AVI.
I've read several people here suggesting using an ADS Pyro A/D Firewire converter. Would that be a better, less troublesome route to go? And what other tips does anyone have in doing an A/D conversion?
Thanks,
Paul

The workflow that you outline is good for archiving the material, but not so good for later editing that material. As Paul_LS states, a DVD-video will use MPEG-2 encoding. Material and quality will be forever lost. These DVD's are good for doing a backup of the material on tape, but the best quality will result from editing the Captured DV-AVI Type II material. Get an external HDD, instead, and copy those files over to it for later editing.
If you need to do much correction to the Captured material, especially color and exposure work, you might want to look into the Canopus 300, which allows one to do more at the Caputre stage with regards to color and density. The 100 will do a great job of straight Capture, but all corrections will need to be done in PE later.
For a similar Project, with 34 VHS tapes (all sorts of film rates, EP, LP and SP, I did a quick archival copy to DVD (I used my Panasonic VHS-DVD deck for this), and then did a Capture to DV-AVI Type II for all tapes, logging each with details and notes on what each scene was and where it was located, via Timecode. This was all done, while the Capture was being made, and these notes were invaluable, when it came time to actually do the edits.
Using the DV-AVI Type II files (stored on about 4 2TB external (FireWire 800) hard discs, I then Imported just what I needed to create 17 finished DVD's from the tapes. During the edit, I archived each Project to another set of external HDD's, because I will need to do extensive editing for a finished set of DVD's for the two subjects, whose lives were recorded on those 34 tapes. Again, I kept notes on these files, so I know exactly where every scene is located. I can still go back to the Captures, but as I have doine the color grading, and density correction on the next phase of files, those would be the ones that I'd want to use.
In this Project, the biggest help was my "shot sheet," that contained all details of every shot. It saved me countless hours of searching, just to locate a particular scene. If you need a "shot sheet," let me know, and I'll share a PDF of the one that worked for me.
Good luck,
Hunt

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Hi ltcps,
Thanks for writing us!
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I am hoping someone can give me an overview of what kind of equipment/software is necessary to convert VHS tapes into a digital format that could be saved in iMovie. Do I just need the right cables for the VCR or something more complicated? Thanks!

I recommend that you download the free iMovie HD6 for those with iMovie 08 who do not have a prior version of iMovie HD6. You can get it here: http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/imovieHD6.html
And, do this tutorial: http://www.apple.com/support/imovie/tutorial/
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Yes, I just used the AV connectors that came with my camcorder to hook the camcorder to the VCR....which was in a combo TV/VCR unit so I could see the footage on my tv, just to make it easier. The AV connector cable has a special prong that fits into the camcorder, and those white/red/yellow prongs at the VCR end. The TV/VCR is a few years old, certainly not anything fancy or new.
I didn't bother with a converter since I just used the camcorder.
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Then, to connect to the computer with the camcorder you will need a 4-6 pin Firewire cable.
+I might do it sooner or I might put it off for awhile while I practice messing around with iMovie.+
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+We want to put them in a digital format that will be easier to store and play and safer from eroding over time, so I guess the end format I'm looking for is DVDs.+
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That is one of the big reasons that I don't use iMovie 08---it does not permit exporting back to a camcorder.
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Enjoy being creative with your movie projects! Post back with any more questions, and feel free to email me if you want.
Regards,
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Hello Jhoslter,
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Did this answer your question? Please click the Accept as Solution button so that others may find the answer as well.

Converting analog hi8 tapes into FCE using canopus

I am trying to convert some old home movies (HI8) using a canopus converter (ADVC110). When I play the move clip back in FCE - the image is very blurred/distorted. Am I doing something wrong, or is this to be expected given the tape format and converter I'm using?

Welcome to the forum.
Here are some things to check. The video should not be "very blurred/distorted".
Does the video look sharp when you connect your Hi8 camera directly to your TV? (Check this because the problem could be degraded tapes.)
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What are the exact DIP switch settings on your ADVC? In North America, all the DIP switches should be OFF (except #2 which could be on if you want the ADVC to default to Analog-IN when you power up.) Note: only change the DIP switches when the ADVC is disconnected from power. And don't connect or disconnect the firewire cable unless both your ADVC and your Mac are disconnected from power (not just shut down).
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Long-time apple user, just not very technically savvy:
I want to transfer my analog Hi8mm tapes to be able to edit and record in iMovie08. I have a macbook; I have a Sony TRV-330 (analog); and I have no DVRs in my house.
I have searched through many discussion threads regarding this process, but it seems that most people doing this are very technically savvy. I might have read too many discussion threads about this and because of the many scenarios, I am totally confused. So if someone could explain to me simply how I do this with the equipment I have, and what additional, compatible equipment I need, I would appreciate it very much!!
I want the simplest process, but I also want to do a quality job.
I understand that:
(Please indicate if my understandings are true or false)
1- I need some sort of go-between, either a digital8 / miniDV? camcorder that has analog pass-through, or a converter ( of which there seem to be very many. . . and expensive).
2- I don't want to simply buy a DVR and copy my videos this way, because I will not be able to edit them in iMovie08.
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1- What is the simplest way to do this?
2- Which is the least expensive, yet quality converter?
3- What type of firewire cable will I need: 6 pin- 6 pin or 6 pin - 4 pin? And for which go-between?
4- Where does this MPEG2 or MPEG4 (again, huh?) come into play? -- Maybe I'm getting ahead of myself with this question.
Remember, I don't own a digital camcorder or a DVR, and we're not in the market for either of those. I would rather not spend a fortune on a converter.

This thread might be helpful:
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5590792
Your footage is probably 4:3 and iMoive is blowing it up to fit 16:9.
Matt
Message was edited by: Matthew Morgan

Converting/capturing old analogue tapes to digital

Can someone please outline the options and best way to convert my old tapes to digital. I have a new digital video camera and no longer use the old 8mm camera so I would like to convert the old video to digital so I can edit it and generally maintain it all in the same format, we never get to watch the old stuff. I asssume I can't use the digital camera unless it has a video-in port. Otherwise there seems to be a wide range of USB analgue to digital video converters on the market that are fairly inexpensive...do they work?
Thanks...any advice would be appreciated.

I am using the EyeTV Hybrid from ElGato. It works great for VHS. It should work for you too if your analog camcorder has either RCA jacks out (red, white, yellow) or coax cable out.
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Converting analog signals into digital signals

I have been transferring analog video cassettes to iMovie for further editing by using a digital camcorder (Canon MV960) between the 8mm video camcorder (analog camcorder) and iMac. I have always done this without any cassette in the digital camcorder, i.e. I have been using the digital camcorder as an analog/digital converter only.
I recently acquired iMovie HD 6 but this most recent version of iMovie refuses to import any signal from the analog camcorder via the digital camcorder. The window in iMovie is empty with an error message saying that "no tape". Well, it's true, there is no tape, there never was any tape when I used the previous version of iMovie!
Does this mean that I have to convert the analog video tape into digital video tape and, once recorded in digital format, the digital tape can be imported in iMovie HD 6?
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- digital video tape could be imported to iMovie HD 6.

Hi 5480:
try running a permissions repair (which should actually be done before and after upgrading software). You will find it in applications / utility / disk utility.
Also, this is a copy of how Matti Haveri (iMovie Guru) sets up analoge to DV:
My Analog to DV passthrough settings memo:
1. Take the tape out of the camcorder
2. Connect the analog device's audio and video to the camcorder's minijack, use the S-Video jack for video if the output device supports S-Video
3. Put the camcorder into VTR-mode
4. Select A/V->DV out: ON, in VTR mode's menu choices
5. Disable the info display on the the camcorder by toggling its DISPLAY button
6. Put iMovie (or other DV application) to the Camera Mode
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Note that if you have a tape in the camcorder, you have to put the camcorder's VTR into REC mode (you may pause the tape) but this is not advisable because it produces wear to the tape.
* Note that the SCART which comes with the European nEUtered TRV320E camcorder is Out-only.
Sue

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Most recommend the Canopus converter, but it is $100-200. I was curious if the analog to digital tv converters available for $10 with the $40 govt coupon would serve the same purpose. I don't know why it wouldn't, but I haven't seen one. I'm going to try to borrow from a friend and see.
Otherwise you can borrow someone's Sony Digital8 to use to play Hi8 and it works as a converter (some models don't do Hi8 playback). This worked for me, but I was afraid I would wear out the "eject' on my friends Digital8 bc I have 60 tapes to transfer.
Other option is to play on old Hi8 thru a miniDV camcorder, used as a converter. My Canon zr500 miniDv doesn't seem to have that option.
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Converting analog to digital video

Does anybody know a cheap way to convert analog video (from a VHS) to digital video that can be burned on a DVD? A converter box is probably my best option as I have no digital camcorder, but I was looking for one under $150. So far the only ones I can find send the analog signal to the computer, where it is converted to digital by software. This would be fine, but the software is Windows only. I either need a converter box that converts the signal within the box and sends a digital signal to the computer, or one that comes with converting software for Mac. Preferably composite video (yellow, red, white), and preferably something that uses firewire, although if I have to I can use USB
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Not sure what you mean by "breaks up in places".
In iMovie4, the maximum clip size is 2 gigabytes. When importing from a camera or converter, iMove will just start a new clip ever 9 1/2 minutes (2 gb), but you don't lose a single frame.
If you're getting irregular breaks, including the loss of video (may be hard to tell, if it's only a frame or two), you either have a cable problem (maybe just not plugged-in securely) or a VHS tape that is a bit out of synch. For that, you might need Time Base Correction, where the hardware will basically ignore the synch data on the tape and replace it with it's own. There are VCRs and video converters that have TBC built-in, but they're more expensive. There are also separate pieces of gear that do only that. I dunno whether digital cameras are available that do this.
First, I'd see if it happens with other tapes, then try another VCR, before spending megabucks on more gear.

Converting video cam tape file to digital?

Before I go buy or borrow someone's digital video camera to record a digital video file, I thought I'd ask if my iMac has some ability to translate a video tape file to a digital file? IOW, is there a way to input video from my older camera and then save it as a digital file? (I hope that was clear.)

NoBite
No, you'll need something to convert the analog file into a digital signal. There are various options, among them most recent digital video camera will do this, or you can get something like this:
http://www.miglia.com/products/video/dcscart/index.html
Regards
TD

Advice on converting analog Hi8mm tapes to digital

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