Analog Video to Digital...some questions

I searched and found a variety of related topics...I just need to know a couple of things and I was hoping this community could help me.
I have a bunch of 8mm tapes and the sony camcorder that made them. I'd like to move these to the mac, edit them, and put them on DVD. I really don't want to spend alot of money. Is there an inexpensive solution for this?
Second question - if I use my DVD recorder, I know I can put the movies on DVD - can I then edit them with iMovie?
Thanks...

The most inexpensive solution would be to burn the footage to a DVD, then use the free [MPEG Streamclip|http://www.squared5.com> along with the $20 [MPEG-2 Component|http://www.apple.com/quicktime/mpeg2> to convert the VOB files on your DVD to QuickTime. Note that you will also suffer some quality loss with this method.
The more expensive solution that would also conserve quality would be to use an Analog-to-Digital converter (or a DV camera with this feature) as a "bridge" to connect your analog camera to your Mac and capture it as regular DV footage. Final Cut definitely allows you to do this, I'd assume iMovie would too. The converter usually costs somewhere in the $150-$300 range, in addition to the extra $200 for the purchase of Final Cut Express in case iMovie doesn't work. Ends up being significantly more expensive.
Depending on how important price and quality are to you either of these options are feasible.

Similar Messages

When converting analog video to digital to my macbook the audio desyncs halfway through. Any ideas?

I am trying to convert Analog video to digital to my Macbook for work, and every time I run it through my converter the audio De-syncs about halfway into the video. Does anyone know how to go about fixing this issue or have had similar issues to this? I have no issues when converting to my PC, but only my Mac. Thanks!

Hi Rick,
I am extracting the material from the dvd directly using handbrake. The file that handbrake creates lands on the desktop. I then ammend the end of the filename from mp4 to m4v. Following this I click and drag the file onto the itunes icon in the dock. I can then download it to the ipod no problem. The dropouts occur no matter where I play the file. In other words, on the desktop (with QT), in the itunes library and on the pod.
I went back and looked at all the dvd's that are giving me this trouble. The culprit seems to be that the audio signal is in LPCM (linear pulse code modulation). Just for the **** of it, I tried to rip one track using handbrake changing the sampling rate of the audio to 48,000 Hz which I believe is what LPCM uses (previously I had set it at 41,000 Hz in handbrake). But no go, still has dropouts. One of these problem dvd's has a second audio option in AC3 (2ch). As a test, I ripped one song using that. Dropouts are gone. However, the audio is a director's commentary (on the music video he shot) with the music in the background, so it's not what I want.
Is there any way to convert LPCM to AC3? Or any other way to fix this dropout problem.
Thanks,
Pete

Convert analog video to digital using a miniDV camcorder

Hi hi
So I want to convert some old analog videos I have from about 10 or so years ago to digital so I can edit them in iMovie HD. I've been reading a lot of the forums around and have successfully (I think) connect the analog video camera to the the miniDV (a Sony Handycam DCR-HC30E) using that A/V jack in the digital recorder and the analog to connect them. And the digital recorder is connected to the computer via firewire. So that's all right.
But now I'm up to the stage where I need to import it into iMovie HD (version 5.0.2) and it's been stubborn and not doing anything. I press play on the analog like people have said but iMovie just says "Camera no tape" and the "import" is unclickable.
Please please please please help! I've no idea what I'm doing wrong!
So just for quick reference, I'm using:
iMovie HD 5.0.2
Sony Handycam DCR-HC30E (Mini DV) and
Panasonic NV-VZ1 (analog video recorder)
P.S I don't want to have to record onto the the mini DV tapes because I've got none.
Thanks!

Hi catspaw! Thanks for replying
I probably should have mentioned before that I did change the 'A/V to DV out' to on, and I think that's the same as "passthrough"
And I've tried suggestion 2 as well, but to no avail! The connection either dropped once I took the tape out or it started to film on my iSight camera! Which is bizarre because my iMovie usually does not let me film with it! I've also been able to film with the camera connected to the computer and recording on the computer and see what I'm fliming on the computer.
But thanks for your help anyway!

Trouble using Canopus to convert analog videos to digital for iMovie

I am trying to convert my old Sony HandyCam Video 8 analog videos so that I can edit them on iMovie and burn them on a disc. I have connected it as described in the directions but although my computer recognizes the device, I just get the blue import screen and no picture or sound. I have pressed play on the camera and video is running there but does not appear on the screen. Any idea what I am doing wrong? It is connected with the 6pin firewire that came with it to the computer and the DV out plug... and on the other side it is connected with the two plugs I use with the camera...Video IN and Audio IN... and Video OUT and Audio OUT on the camera. The camera is in the player mode with power on. And my computer is a new MacBook Pro with iMovie 08.
Really need help. Thanks

K.C.S.
I am having the same problem ADVC-55 to MacBook Pro and iMovie 8. I was able to convert two full VHS tapes but when I started the third, no go. Red status light and nothing I have tried will get it to green. I tried myVCR and iMovie 7, also no go.
Geoff

Converting analog video to digital

I'am currently running on a new powerbook G4 OS 10.4 and having great difficulty getting my computer to read my camera. The problem is that my camera is connected to a digital converter. Dazzle Hollywood DV Bridge. My camera is a Sharp that runs Hi-8 tapes. If anybody has any clue on how to get my computer to recognize this set up I would greatly appreciate it.

Brian,
I have the same Hollywood DV set up and every now and then it acts goofy. Take a look at the lights at the top. the lowest one (AtoD) should be green. (analog to digital) If all lights are red click the switch on the top rear of the Dazzle unit.
Also use the firewire port on the rear. Seems like mine has an issue with the front.
Lastly save and exit the I movie program and restart AFTER hooking up and selecting Ato D.
Make sure you set the switch on iMovies interface to "camera".
One last thing. You have to work the camera by it's controls. You won't get them to work through I movie.
If this doesn't help hook up a VCR to the DV Bridge, Hit play and see if it sends through to iMovie. If it does it's your camera or connecting cable.

Archiving analog video digitally for later editing

Hi:
I'm a newbie to iMovie and have been through the discussion threads without finding an answer. Thanks in advance for any help.
I have about 16 hours of analog tape from a Hi 8 Sony camcorder. I just picked up a Canon ZR200 which allows me to use the analog to digital passthrough feature to move the old analog tape to the computer. I've been able to import some video and have some rather huge files. I see in the forums that an hour of DV video is about 13 GB which is consistent with what I have on my computer.
I have two objectives here. First, I want to archive the clips from the analog tapes to DVD in a raw and unedited format. Essentially, I want to have a DVD copy of the tapes I have presently. However, I also want to later be able to go back and edit the video backed up on DVD into more concise clips using iMovie and put together several separate DVDs of the edited material.
I don't want to just backup the raw DV files to DVD as data files because they're so huge. I have about 20 G free on my computer, so I can't archive there and I'm trying to avoid buying an external HD.
Is there some way to archive the unedited video on DVD (as data or movie) so that I can later reedit?

In reading your response and other threads, I am
assuming that when I Share to a Full Quality movie, I
am making a quicktime movie as the output which will
be much smaller than the DV file; is this correct?
The Shared movie is smaller because it is shorter. But in terms of quality, the Full Quality export is exactly the same content as the DV video used in the iMovie HD project.
In iMovie HD, a "Full Quality" export creates a movie that matches the natural video of the currently active iMovie project. The video format varies by project type. A DV project exports to a different movie format than an HDV 720p project, for example.
(Note: The image quality of the DV you see in QT Player may not look very good by default, but that's because its High Quality playback features need to be turned on. In QT 7, you can do it in QT preferences.)
With no discernible loss in quality?
That's correct. There will be no loss of quality.
Thanks again for your help, Karl.
You're welcome.

2 questions: Convert analog video AV- USB Converter; Good TV Tuner For IMac

1) I need to convert analog video tapes onto my Mac. What's a good AV to USB converter?
2) I'd like to take advantage of my 24" screen and occasionally watch TV on my Mac. What's a good TV tuner?
Thanks.

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.
I may try to use my Presidian dvr from Radio Shack as a pass thru converter. I haven't tried it yet either, but I think it might be yet another option. If anyone knows how to do any of these, please reply. It seems the tv converter should work and I'll get one if it does.

Best Quality importing 8mm analog and 8mm Digital Video Tapes

Hi folks,
I have imported several 8mm analog and 8mm digital 8 video tapes using a Sony Digital 8 camcorder and firewire cable into my iMac. As referenced many times, the quality is so-so due to the loss of half the lines; a deficiency in iMovie 8.
I just acquired a copy of iMovie 6HD to address this. Both are now installed on my iMac.
Would I lose any video quality if I first import into iMovie 6HD and then export from HD to iMovie 8 using the "Import from iMovie HD" option. In other words, does using iMovie HD as an interim step address the "line loss" problem associated with video tape input that exists in iMovie 8.
For diehard HD users this may seem counter-intuitive but I like some of the title and transition capabilities in iMovie 8 and am willing to sacrifice some editing function/capability if the original video quality is not compromised.
TIA,
Ed

Bengt,
Thanks for the reply. So importing first to HD doesn't solve my problem. I need to edit in HD and publish in HD or lose half of the interlaced video.
I am aware that importing from tape directly to iMovie'08 or 09 or 11 loses half the video. I was hoping that using HD as an intermediate would solve my problem.
Guess I need to learn editing in HD.
Could you please just confirm. I have become very comfortable editing in '08 and my first few looks at HD aren't getting me there....yet.
Thanks again.

Capturing Digitized Analog Video

When sending digitized analog video to iMovie or to another Video editing software, the very first image is clear and bright (for only a split second) then a shade of gray comes over the preview/import window and the rest of the imported movie is grayed over.
Workflow sequence is:
1. VCR Player
2. ADVC-110 DV Converter
3. Mac Pro
4. iMovie or other video editing software
My first try at converting a VHS tape to digital worked fine. This second tape . . . not so good.
Thanks in advance - bob

Paul, when I purchased the Plextor unit, VideoStudio did not come with the package. I notice on the Plextor web-site that the current product does have VideoStudio bundled with the converter. I also notice that both InterVideo WinDVD and VideoStudio are Corel products. Are you telling me that VideoStudio would not conflict with PE7 whereas WinDVD would?

Captured analog video, where does the actual captured file go?

I am backing up old analog video 8 tapes to digital, using a Canopus ADVC-55 converter. The process is going just fine as far as I can tell, but I am sure I will have more questions as I get into this further. I am using FCP 6.04.
As an initial test, I completed a Capture Now (non-controllable device selected) of a short 30 min. analog tape, using an older video 8 Sony Handicam, running through the Canopus interfacing with FCP. Primarily I want to run through all these old tapes (about 15 of them…) and back them up onto a dedicated Iomega external firewire drive, to retrieve for later use.
Question du jour… Where the heck is the actual data file on the hard drive? Isn’t the file I see in the bin, from a result of the capture, just an alias pointing to the actual captured data file? The FCP document is only 24 KB, but I know the data file is much larger. I have searched the drive high and low but cannot locate it… Can anyone answer this? Also, I’ve read in discussions here about doing transfer to DV (I have a Canon digital camcorder I could use) rather than the hard drive… but if this is for backup purposes only, should that matter? And wouldn’t I lose a step of quality that way?

I understand Kevan. For the time being, all I wanted to do was get these old 8 mm tapes backed up to digital format because I am afraid the tapes will degrade. They are about 12 years old. I also have some VHS cassettes that are much older that I plan to back up also.
Eventually I would like to build some family movies and will use these files, but if you think I should be capturing into DV (I can use my Canon DV camcorder I guess) I will do that instead.
Also, I will go ahead and define the folder so I can find the files more easily in the future.
I sure appreciate that you are taking the time to answer these questions, thanks again.

Trouble capturing analog video using Quicktime 7 in Yosemite

I am attempting to use Quicktime 7 Pro under Yosemite to convert old 8 mm or Hi8 analog videotapes to digital .mov files. The tapes are being played through a Sony TRV350 camcorder, which digitizes the analog video, and outputs digital video via the iLink (Firewire) output, which then goes to the Thunderbolt input on my MacBook Pro using an adapter. I start the camcorder and then start QT7 Pro.
This DOES WORK - for a short while. After taking in 32MB of data or a minute (of a 90 minute video), QT7 stops capturing data with a message:
"Recording stopped because the format of the source media changed. Media of different formats cannot be recorded to the same file"
What does this mean and how do I get around it?
PS: There are not many ways to convert these old tapes. Under Yosemite iMovie will no longer accept video from a Hi8 camcorder. There is some discussion of older iMovie HD but this does not work properly under Yosemite at all.
Need to digitize these old family tapes - any help will be appreciated

One tiny wrinkle is that "Save" from Vidi gives an error message but "Save as" works fine. I suspect Vidi may also stop working with the next OS X release.
Since you did not indicate the specific nature of the error message, I don't know if this is a "fixable" problem or not. The difference between the "Save/Record" and "Save As.../Record As..." options is that the former automatically stored the captured files in a designated location using a default filename. You may wish to check or reset the preference settings here to see they are causing your issue.
Yes, the conversion of a 90 min tape does give a 21 GB file but I don't care - these family videos are irreplaceable and storage is cheap.
This sounds about right—i.e, the normal average DV-25/DVCPRO-25 total data rate is on the order of 28.5 Mbps (or about 13 GB/hour) with DV-50/DVCPRO-50 about 57 Mbps and DV-100/HDV about 114 Mbps.
One more question. Now that I have a DV file, what can I use to convert to a more compressed format that preserves quality? QT7 to save as H.264 is best? Or something else? Toast?
This normally depends on your goals and personal workflow preferences.
For instance, if you are editing content (i.e., trimming; merging; adding titles, fades, transitions, effects, etc.), I would normally use the export/share options that are available from within the editing app itself. On the other hand, for simple trims and export/share of files, I would normally use QT X or QT 7 Pro depending on the specific project needs and/or level of manual control desired. For totally edit-free conversions, I would normally use the encoder options now built into Yosemite (or Mavericks) operating system at the Finder level or the free HandBrake app. (The former basically employs a non-anamorphic approach with high/low quality or target device controlled quality options while the latter has a better graphic user interface for anamorphic strategies with more manual control for truly customized exports as needed.)
EXAMPLE 1: The family normal has Thanksgiving at my brother-in-laws home in PA so my son hosts a second "pseudo-Thanksgiving" dinner on January 1st for the relatives here in NJ. This year I wore a GoPro and within minutes of returning home created the following "trailer" of the gathering (with a total absence of any real planning or forethought) using iMovie to shared the file directly to Mail for posting to others. In this case, I used the video editor to both edit and share a "quickie" video with the rest of our relatives from the East to West Coast. I.e., it seemed the most efficient workflow for the mini-project... SAMPLE VIDEO
EXAMPLE 2: On the other hand, several yeas ago I was asked to post a "quickie" tutorial showing how to layer audio and video content. As this was a relatively simple project, I used QT 7 Pro for this project. Here is the resulting SAMPLE FILE created while making the tutorial.
EXAMPLE 3: In cases where the quality of the source file varies drastically—one video being an 80 year old cinema classic and the next a just released blockbuster loaded with special effects—and/or the source files are not "natively" compatible with QT, I prefer HandBrake for its ability to "tweak" settings over a wide range to create "universal" playback files for all mobile devices, local network streaming, and sharing via internet... SAMPLE 1959 TRAILER
EXAMPLE 4: Lastly, when I simply want to just transcode one or more QT compatible files (for any number of reasons) at the Finder level without having to open a dedicated converter utility, I simply select/highlight the files in the Finder and pass them to the Yosemite/Mavericks operating system for conversion... POCKET RECORDER SAMPLE FILE
As you can see, you have a myriad of options to choose from depending on your personal preferences, needs, goals, etc. As to H.24/X.264/MPEG-4 AVC, yes I would recommend sticking with any encoder that adheres to the JVT standard since it has become a default Mac system standard and, with different settings, is extremely scaleable with regard to use—i.e., it can handle anything from cellular streaming to Blu-ray or multi-K Hi-Def resolutions. However, for all-purpose use, I stick to High Profile (current mobile, TV, High-Speed Internet compatible) or Main Profile (older mobile device, original TV, lower-speed platform compatible) anamorphic encodes at level 3.1 which nicely covers data rates from less then 100 Kbps up to 14 Mbps or anything most users will ever need.

Unable to capture analog video.

Hi,
I am running Premier Pro CS3 on a Windows XP machine. This is a new machine to me provided by my work. I am trying to capture analog video from a VHS deck that has both S-video and composite outs. The IT folks installed an ATI TV Wonder HD 650 PCI Digital & Analog TV Tuner to use as a capture card. In the device manager it shows up as an ATI Radeon HD2400 card. I don't have anyway of discerning the difference, and this may or may not be the main issue. When I open Premier and try to capture, it does not recognize the card as a capture device. Any clues about how to make this work would be great.
Thanks,
sarah

Premiere Pro does not natively capture from TV or graphics cards.
You will find links to many
free tutorials in the PremiereProPedia that will quickly show you how things are done in Premiere Pro.
Cheers
Eddie
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Best way to Capture Analog Video (via DV)

I have no issues with capturing DV video froma DV Camcorder in PRE. The process is very smooth and I really am comfortable with it. However, when I am capturing my old wedding and other personal VHS tapes (via an ADTech Pyro AV) I really hate the capture capablities within PRE ( I am use PRE 7).
I was wondering if there is any advantage to using PRE for the DV Capture for my Analog material verses using either Windows Import Video, or using some other capture program like Pinnacle Studio (which allows me to specifiy the length of the capture verses having it just run on until I stop it.) Most of my VHS tapes are 2 hours in length and I would like to be able to say capture 125 minutes then stop (so I could just run the captures at night or while I am otherwise not using the computer.) With PRE7 it will just continue capturing forever until I stop it, which creates some enormous files that then need to be trimmed.
(Does anyone know a way to tell PRE to just capture for x amount of time on a analog to DV Capture?)
Is a DV Capture the same regardless of program? Is there any advantage to actually running the capture through PRE7 verses external where I can provide better control over the length and time of the capture.

If your ADS Pyro AV Link is set up right and capturing over FireWire, you should get the same quality no matter what program you use to capture -- and that quality should be as good as the original. Premiere Elements does nothing to change the video data of DV as it captures; it just saves it as it comes in.
But I would not recommend using any program or device that captures as anything other than DV-AVIs. Otherwise you're dealing with conversion issues and possibly incompatible video files, etc.
Does that answer your question?

Analog VIDEO OUT - has this been killed forever?

So, have we reached the end of the line for ANALOG VIDEO OUT on ALL devices?
Apparently, there is NO analog video out on iPod Touch 5th Gen, iPad 4th Gen, or iPhone 5th Gen - all devices with the ridiculously small 8-pin connector, which all run iOS6
Apple's sales site for the $30, 8-pin to 30-pin connector clearly says "Video not supported"
What?
So anyone with an expensive car video system, 30-pin composite video link, home AV receiver, etc. is out of luck?
Is this a sign that Apple has rolled-over to Hollywood in advance of an Apple TV system that only transmits HDCP-style-encrypted digital TV signals?
That would be bad
Anyone have the answer to this? I've read here that people with 4th Gen devices (iPad 3rd Gen) running iOS6 are also being denied video since the update from iOS5 to iOS6 (which some "believe" is a "software" error in the update).
Is that true as well?
Apple couldn't possibly be doing this on purpose to their, oh, I don't know, 100 million users of previous devices - could they?
Someone - please...reassure us there is a fix in the mix for this mess

TV out for Lightning:
- http://store.apple.com/us/product/MD826ZM/A/lightning-digital-av-adapter?fnode=3 a
- http://store.apple.com/us/product/MD825ZM/A/lightning-to-vga-adapter?fnode=3a
Have you looked at the previous discussions listed on the right side of this page under the heading "More Like This" for TV out for iOS 6?

Analog Signal to Digital a Primer

Many users have analog material sitting around, and they would like to get it into digital form, so that it can be edited. As this material is below SD (Standard Definition) quality, I will address the methods for digitizing it, so that it can be best edited in a DV Project. The output can be a DVD-Video, or other format, depending on what one wishes.
The process of getting this analog material into a digital form, is referred to as Capturing, and it is digitizing the analog material and writing it to a file, that can be edited.
One will need some method of getting the analog signals into digital form, and for connecting the analog output from their analog playback device to the computer. Though the analog signal could come from all sorts of devices, I’ll use a VHS tape deck in this example.
Since a VHS tape deck does not have an A-D (Analog to Digital) processor, and also does not have a a digital signal Out, one needs something in between it, and the computer. That “something” serves two needs: mechanical connection of cables and the ability to convert the analog to digital for use in an NLE (Non Linear Editor). That “something” can be a digital video camera with pass-through capabilities, a device, called a “bridge,” or a capture card inserted into a bus slot in the computer. All three have pluses and minuses.
The first two methods rely on one having a FireWire connection on the computer and will use the Capture module in the NLE software.
The digital video camera route is good, as one already owns it. Having one with pass-through capabilities is getting more difficult. The camera also has to have FireWire (FW, IEEE-1394a, or iLink) output, and the computer must have a matching connection.
An A-D bridge will do the same thing: allow one to connect the analog cables to one end/side, process the analog signals to digital and then output via FW to the computer. There are various such bridges available and two of the most often recommended makes/models are: the ADS-Pryo, and theCanopus/Grass Valley ADVC-110. Products, like the Dazzle lineup, just do not seem to work, or work well. I would avoid such.
A dedicated capture card performs the same task, with one exception. The card will mount into an empty PCI slot on the MoBo, and have inputs for the analog cables. The card will have chips on it, to digitize the analog signals and feed these to the computer via the PCI slot. These do not connect via FW, but have one drawback: they must, in virtually every instance, use additional software to do the actual Capture, as most NLE’s cannot directly see and work with them. Some of the included software Capture programs are better, than others. One common issue with many of these cards is a loss of sync, between the Audio and the Video. This is usually static OOS (Out Of Sync), in that it is usually off by a fixed number of frames, and does not drift over time. This can be fixed in the NLE, but is extra work. This ARTICLE will give you tips on correcting OOS.
Now, we are ready to begin the Capture, as our equipment and cables are all ready to go. We have a big decision in front of us - what format/CODEC do we use to Capture our digital files? Since we are doing an SD Project with non-HD (High Def) material, there is one fine choice: DV-AVI Type II w/ 48KHz 16-bit PCM/WAV Audio, using the DV/DVC CODEC. These files will be approximately 13GB / hour of Duration. Storage will need to be considered. These files are also I-frame, meaning that each “Frame” is rendered and available, so that frame-accurate editing is possible. The NLE will not need to do any processing, or conversion of these files, as even the Audio is ready for DVD-Video. Note: there will still be Conforming and the generation of PEK (Waveform Display) files, but the NLE will be able to do this quickly and efficiently.
Using AVI Uncompressed will get you nothing that you can see, other than larger files. Do NOT use any compressed format/CODEC, like MPEG-2, WMV, MOV, etc., as these will loose data from an already inferior source, and will then need conversion to be used, either with a stand-alone conversion program, or internally by the NLE. You loose quality and then have more work to be done. Do not let the temptation of smaller files lure you into using anything but DV-AVI Type II, and just accommodate the larger file sizes.
With the file format/CODEC decision made, the cables and devices hooked up, we’re ready to start the Capture. The exact operation will depend on what our equipment choice has been. See above for talk about additional Capture software, if one uses a capture card. Otherwise, we should be able to use the Capture module of our NLE. The first issue is that we will NOT have Device Control, as we would with a Capture from a miniDV tape-based digital camera, where we can control the mechanical aspects of the camera, during this process. As our VHS deck is hooked up to the A-D bridge, or digital camera w/ pass-through, via analog cables, our control signals cannot be sent to it. One would cue up the tape in the VHS deck, and then choose Record/Capture in the NLE’s Capture module, starting the Capture. Instantly, they would hit Play on the VHS deck, or via that deck’s remote control. This is easier the second time that one does it. I sit with the mouse in my right hand, poised over the Record/Capture button, and the VHS deck’s remote in my left hand, finger hovering over Play. It’s then a 1 - 2 push, and all starts. One can stop the Capture, if an unwanted section of tape comes up. The Capture module of the NLE will direct us on how to proceed from there, should more Captures be wanted. Some will just start up at a later point, and write an additional file for that portion of the tape, but some might require that one basically sets up a new Capture session One should investigate just what their NLE will require for doing multiple Capture sessions from one VHS tape.
When done, one closes the Capture module, and then navigates to the location that these DV-AVI Type II files have been stored in, and Imports them into the Project. This differs slightly from doing the Capture from a miniDV tape camera, as those Captured files are already in the Project.
Edit away, and Export/Share to the necessary output settings, file type and CODEC.
What about those VHS - DVD decks, the ones that will burn a DVD directly from the VHS tape? They seem so simple to use, and for the most part are. However, those DVD-Video discs, contain pretty heavily-compressed MPEG-2 AV streams. These MPEG-2's, besides being compressed, are in aGOP structure and are muxed (Multiplexed into one file with both a Video & Audio stream), plus there is often some Menus and navigation in the first VOB, the main container components of a DVD-Video. Many NLE’s can Import the VOB’s, and basically rip the MPEG-2 out of them, but that first VOB can be highly problematic, due to the way that most of those decks do the Menus and navigation. It is seldom 100% DVD-compliant by the DVD-specs. This can be a major problem. This ARTICLE will give you some background and tips on DVD VOB's.
Those dual-decks are good for doing one thing, regarding the DVD’s that they produce - provide one with an archival DVD-Video of the VHS tape, and not to be edited. However, the VHS side of these works well with an A-D bridge, just like a pure VHS deck does. I would strongly recommend that one does NOT use the DVD-Video portion of these, if editing will be desired. They cause many more problems, than they solve - just use them for an “archive” copy of the tape to a DVD-Video, for playback on a computer via DVD software or a set-top player, hooked to a TV.
What about film? Well, film is obviously analog, and one needs to digitize this to edit on the computer. The process of this digitizing is referred to as telecineing the film. While one can buy equipment to do this, it is expensive, and involves a lot of setup and testing to get the job done. There are many service bureaus, that offer telecining. Some are better than others. The main considerations are: care in handling of fragile film, how the telecining is done, i.e. frame by frame w/ a liquid gate, or just by straight projection, and then output format for the digitized files. Some of these services will offer a DVD-Video disc. Do not be tempted to do this. See above. Others will offer to write these digitized files to a miniDV tape, and this is just fine. One does then need a miniDV camera, or miniDV tape deck, to then do the Capture from, but the quality and editability will be preserved. The final delivery format would be to put these DV-AVI Type II files onto an external HDD. This saves one from having to do the Capture from miniDV tape, having to have a miniDV camera, or miniDV deck, and only Importing of those files would be required to get them into the Project. Many of these service bureaus will either sell you the external, or use one provided to them. Check out specifications for things like format of the external. FAT-32 will limit the file sizes to ~ 4GB max, and NTSF will have no such limitations. However, if the service bureau is on Mac, and you’re on the PC, their Mac’s can ONLY see FAT-32 HDD’s. Talk this over with the service bureau first, so that there are no surprises later on.
Hope that this helps,
Hunt
PS - also see this FAQ Entry for more detail.

the_wine_snob wrote:
Products, like the Dazzle lineup, just do not seem to work, or work well. I would avoid such.
Although I now have a Canopus ADVC300 I previously used a Magix 'Movies on DVD' USB device. I found the results from this to be particularly good and, to my ageing eyes, I see very little quality difference.
I think this is because Magix use their proprietary high quality codec (from their Pro products) to capture the footage. Like DV-AVI it runs around 10GB+ per hour. This can then, very simply, be exported to DV-AVI Type 2 for use in PRE. Note that there are some sound synchronisation issues with the 'out of the box' settings - but the fix is quick and I posted details to the Magix forum.
Would I revert if I could return my ADVC300 bridge? Probably not - the firewire connection and the PC seeing the box as a camcorder adds to ease of use. In fact I am pleased to have both. There are some things Magix does better than PRE7 (batch exporting each scene as an individual DV-AVI file being just one) and it has smart-rendering which is handy for quick clip splitting/exporting.
Cheers,
Neale
Insanity is hereditary, you get it from your children

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