Converting VHS to digital

I need to convert my VHS tapes to digital format to store on my mac, and n DVD's and post short clips on m Web site. I have been researching equipment to do this on C-net and it looks like the Canopus ADVC-110 is a good choice. Is it? Any comments, suggestions etc. will be much appreciated. My e-mail address is [email protected] Thanks. Art

Canopus makes close to if not nearly the best converters out there.
Good choice.

Similar Messages

  • What is my best hardware/software to convert vhs to digital so I can edit in Final Cut Pro X

    What is my best hardware/software to convert vhs to digital so I can edit in Final Cut Pro X?  Wondering if there is a solution under 100.00 or do I need to think a bit more. Thank you.

    Have been doing this for some time, my setup:
    I use an ancient "Symphonic" VCR player connected to an Elgato Eyetv Hybrid USB dongle.  That plugs into my G5 Mac, 10.5.8, which runs Eyetv software v. 2.5.3.
    Recording is dead simple after fiddling around a bit with software settings for channel, etc.  Start the player, hit "record" on the software and wait for the end.
    The recording is saved in some obscure ".eyetv" format with file size about 4 GB per hour of recording.  The software has export to a variety of formats including QT Movie which results in a substantially larger file size.
    Quality?  Well, it's viewable and usable for archive purposes.  I'm fine with it but more discriminating folks may want something better.  I end up burning the video on a DVD using iDVD and that's not the greatest anyway.
    There are various Elgato units available, and the Eyetv Hybrid seems to run bout $130.
    Hope that helps.

  • Thinking of getting EyeTV Hybrid to convert VHS to digital - the right move?

    Hello,
    I am soon going to be going back to Macintosh after a failed 17 year experiment with Windows and one of the things I will be wanting to do is transfer some home videos I own into a format that I can edit likely using I-movie. 
    I have reviewed several discussions on-line, and think I will be going with EyeTV Hybrid but I am wanting some fresh advice to make sure I am making the right decision.  The videos I will be wanting to transfer come in, what I believe, are two analog forms VHS-C (which I would play back using a VHS cartridge converter as the camera is dead) and Hi8MP which I would play back using a Samsung SCw62 Camcorder.
    Essentially, I am looking for a good conversion but it does not have to be great.  I would like to be able to do some editing once they are converted, but these are home movies and I am treating them that way and not looking at producing a professional quality video.
    So here are the options I have gathered online.  As I said, I think I am likely going to go for EyeTV Hybrid but would appreciate any feedback as to whether it’s the best option for me or whether I should be considering something else. Money is an issue and I really don't see myself going much above $200 on this.
    From what I have read, EyeTV Hybrid seems like it might be my best option.  Its priced at around $150 which fits my budget and I understand the results are fairly good.  Any reason why I should be wary of this option?  Is it fairly straight forward to use? From what I understand, I all need to buy is this and it comes with the necessary software – am I correct?
    I have read that video pass through in which the camera essentially converts analog to a digital signal. This does NOT appear to be an option for me unfortunately.  As I mentioned, I own a Samsung SCw62 Camcorder and I also own a Sony HDR-CX110.  Reading through the manuals I could see nothing that would suggest they could do this but I would be delighted to be informed that I am wrong.
    There appeared to be a consensus on the threads I read that the Grass Valley ADVC300 analog DV converter would produce a high quality transfer.  However, the price that I have seen is about $400 and this is far more than I am willing to pay and I haven’t seen a used one on ebay.
    The ADVC110 does fit my budget but I am wondering if it would be much better than the EyeTV Hybrid as the prices I have seen have been a little more than $200.
    There appears to be a consensus that the Roxio Easy VHS to DVD will result in a fairly low quality video and is not recommended. Anyone disagree?
    Are there any other options I should consider? 
    Finally, as I noted I want to make some nice home movies using my old analog tapes is there any reason why investing in Final Cut Express would help in the conversion process?
    Thanks to everyone for your help.
    Cheers

    There appeared to be a consensus on the threads I read that the Grass Valley ADVC300 analog DV converter would produce a high quality transfer.
    I have a drawer full of analog-to-digital converters (including the EyeTV Hybrid).   After using the Grass Valley ADVC300 I find nothing else acceptable.   I appreciate your concerns about the cost you just have to decide how important these videos are.
    Compared to today's standards DV Video's quality is not that great, so I don't want to lose ANYTHING in my conversion, I have no quality to "spare".
    I've played around with countless other conversion systems, ranging in price from $79 to $399. Short verison, this is the ONLY unit to own. No dropped frames at all, even with questionable quality tapes, no jitter, great color, excellent sound quality. Zero setup with iMovie 06 and iDVD 09/11.
    This is a prosumer deck. The time code function is alone worth the price if you have old analog footage. Absolutely NO "Out Of Sync" audio.
    ADVC300 is for anyone who wants to do editing and is concerned about quality of color and speed, for the novice it is an incredible gizmo that will restore VHS tapes to a state close to the original fixing midtones, highlights and shadows on the fly. Not only can you simply convert analog to digital you can actually manipulate the signal going in (if you want to).
    A bit pricey but it WORKS.

  • Convert VHS to digital?

    I can't find a straight answer to this question.
    I want to convert my VHS to digital format. I have purchased the RCAtoUSB dongle. Is iLife capable of recording the actual footage, or do i need a third party program to capture the video?
    Thanks

    I want to convert my VHS to digital format. I have purchased the RCAtoUSB dongle.
    Oh Boy...
    In my experience Firewire converters give higher quality results.
    I like the ADVC300 Firewire converter.
    I've played around with countless other conversion systems, ranging in price from $79 to $399. Short verison, this is the ONLY unit to own. No dropped frames at all, even with questionable quality tapes, no jitter, great color, excellent sound quality. Zero setup with iMovie 06 and iDVD 11.
    This is a prosumer deck. The time code function is alone worth the price if you have old analog footage. Absolutely NO "Out Of Sync" audio.
    ADVC300 is for anyone who wants to do editing and is concerned about quality of color and speed, for the novice it is an incredible gizmo that will restore VHS tapes to a state close to the original fixing midtones, highlights and shadows on the fly. Not only can you simply convert analog to digital you can actually manipulate the signal going in (if you want to).
    A bit pricey bit it WORKS.
    http://www.grassvalley.com/products/advc300
    Is iLife capable of recording the actual footage
    Yes, use iMovie
    do i need a third party program to capture the video?
    I would use iMovie 06 with iDVD 11, why?
    

iMovie 11/09 uses 'single field processing' meaning every other horizontal line of the video is thrown out, which reduces the sharpness of the footage. iMovie 06 uses ALL of the image to form the video.

If your primary workflow is editing DV clips and making DVDs, iMovie '06 is better suited. Your movie will arrive at iDVD in DV format, which is an ideal match for making a DVD: same resolution, same pixels aspect ratio, and original quality. If you share your movie from iMovie 11, it gets re-rendered at 640x480 or less, and then iDVD upscales it back to 720x480. The end result is obviously not as good.

    
iMovie 06 and iDVD 11 is a 100% "lossless" combination and my DVD's look like they came from Hollywood!

  • Best software for converting VHS to digital format?

    I watched my wedding video from 20 years ago the other day. Then I thought I should put this into a digital format so I've been looking around at Apple forum and other places for suggestions.
    It seems the best/easiest so far is the Roxio Easy VHS to DVD for Mac software. The problem is any of the retail outlets in Canada only sell the PC version.
    No problem - I will just figure out how to order online. OK...except the box includes the necessary adaptors etc... and a software installation CD. My new iMac does not have a CD ROM and after several calls back and forth between Roxio and Corel it appears like a downloadable version is not available.
    I also see EyeTV seems to have a similar product, but that appears to only come from Europe. And I have seen grass valley mentioned in some of the forums but these appear to be dated and I'm not sure the noted item is available any more. Even if it (or its replacement) is, sourcing it here in Canada seems to be an issue also.
    Any suggestions beyond simply putting the video on my TV and filming it with my iPhone?
    Thanks.

    You will need to buy an external DVD burner.
    You will need an analogue to digital converter such as the ADVC110 (there are others) that can connect to your video player via standard RCA cables, and to your Mac via Firewire so you can import into iMovie.
    If you want to to make a video DVD of the video you will also need iDVD.
    Why is there no iDVD on my new Mac? How do I get it and how do I install it?
    https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-3673

  • Converting from VHS to Digital Media - best digital encoding format to use

    Looking for a little insight into the VHS to digital media world.
    I have several VHS tapes (~30) which I would like to convert to digital media for further editing. From what I can find online most “Home Movie” conversion companies encode to mpeg2 on a DVD.
    I have done some of my own VHS to DV format conversions but has many of you know this is very time consuming and I would like to locate a company that can convert my VHS to DV and return back to me on a hard drive. In addition I have taken these conversion edited them in FCE and made DVDs in iDVD. Now I am looking to outsource the conversion process.
    I am looking to have delivered the raw DV converted file from the VHS conversion. Does anyone know of a reputable / reliable Conversion Company that can supply this service?
    If you think I am going down the wrong road in asking for the raw DV files please let me know and explain what you feel the best alternative is so I can edit in FCE and why this or that method is better, just as good, or is done as raw DV files from VHS tapes are just not required for some reason.
    If this is the case what is the best digital file to be working / editing with in FCE? The file format I should be asking for from a video conversion company.
    Thank you,
    Keith

    Some thoughts, all of which you may have already considered:
    Each hour of video will produce around 13GB of QuickTime files, so thirty two-hour VHS tapes would consume almost 400GB.
    Thirty DVDs will be a lot less expensive than a 500GB hard drive.
    Given the native resolutions of the different formats, my guess is that, if you had your VHS tapes converted to DVD, then converted those files to QuickTime for use in FCE, you'd have a hard time distinguishing that footage from what you'd get by capturing directly to QuickTime from those same VHS tapes. It might be interesting to do a comparison.

  • Software to convert VHS- DVD (w/out digital camcorder)?

    Hey everybody,
    I was wondering if anybody was aware of any software for converting VHS tapes to DVD wth your Mac that is Lion-ready? I'm looking to be able to plug my VCR into my Mac and encode in real time via some sort of component to USB cable (because I don't own a digital camcorder). If you could also point me in the direction of the required hardware to complete this process that would be awesome!
    Thanks,
    Tyler

    Have been doing this for some time, my setup:
    I use an ancient "Symphonic" VCR player connected to an Elgato Eyetv Hybrid USB dongle.  That plugs into my G5 Mac, 10.5.8, which runs Eyetv software v. 2.5.3.
    Recording is dead simple after fiddling around a bit with software settings for channel, etc.  Start the player, hit "record" on the software and wait for the end.
    The recording is saved in some obscure ".eyetv" format with file size about 4 GB per hour of recording.  The software has export to a variety of formats including QT Movie which results in a substantially larger file size.
    Quality?  Well, it's viewable and usable for archive purposes.  I'm fine with it but more discriminating folks may want something better.  I end up burning the video on a DVD using iDVD and that's not the greatest anyway.
    There are various Elgato units available, and the Eyetv Hybrid seems to run bout $130.
    Hope that helps.

  • How to convert VHS to DVD using FCP 7?

    Hello. For a brief, non-technical, introduction: I have dozens of family VHS tapes that I'd like to convert into a digital format where I can edit them and eventually transfer them onto an external hard drive and possibly DVDs as well. Ideally, I'd love to do all of the logging, capturing, and editing in FCP, but I am having difficulty figuring out set up and proper format conversions to obtain the best results. I am not a computer wizard, so a "Just-For-Dummies" walk through would be greatly appreciated.
    My questions are:
    1) What should my flowchart of devices be from VCR to FCP? (ie: converters, cables, inside FCP setup)
    2) What is the best video format for VHS to digital conversion?
    Here are the specs for devices I currently possess. I realize I may need to purchase more, but this is what I have to work with at the moment.
    MacBook Pro: Mac OS X Version 10.6.8. | Processsor 2.4 GHz Intel Core i5 | Memory 4GB 1067 MHz DDR3
    Final Cut Pro 7.0.3
    VCR: Toshiba SD-v295ku (output is Red, White, Yellow RCA)
    ION Video 2 PC converter: RCA cables to USB (this is already installed on my Mac and has successfully worked for video capture alone)
    Sony Digital Handycam DCR-TRV330
    My Passport 2TB Hard Drive
    Thank you so much in advance for any help you can offer.

    Buppas
    Getting out of my depth here a bit.
    I do have FCP 6 but have not used it much at all.
    There are many people here that are more able than me who may come to your rescue but anyway here are a few suggestions to try.
    Sony can be set to one of 2 audio modes, 12bit=32kHz, or 16bit=48kHz.Ensure set to 16bit , around page 85.
    Capture has to match 16bit=48kHz.
    In FCP7 User Preferences >General check box "Abort capture on dropped frames.On timecode break Make New Clip ".
    Also in Preferences> General I noticed this but not sure if it will help...Check box "Sync audio capture to video source if present".
    Coming back to the Sony, and still stabbing in the dark, there is a Time Base Corrector (TBC) setting that you could try both on and off.
    Also,do not start and stop the VHS player frequently; let it run through from start to end if you can to avoid breaks.
    Another option but not ideal.
    What happens when you import into iMovie, do you still get out of sync?
    If you dont then you could import to iMovie and then import the DV file/files to FCP7.
    This will not take up double the space as FCP7 references the files in iMovie.
    Other than this you could try a "search communities" or hope for more suggestions to come in.
    Good Luck.

  • 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
    Thanks,
    Tom
    iMac G4 15-inch 800 Mhz   Mac OS X (10.3.9)   iMovie 3.0.3, Toast 7 Titanium, no iDVD

    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.

  • Your help needed converting video to digital

    How do I convert video to digital using a G4 Powerbook, Canopus 300 & Imovie HD 6.0.4.
    Steps needed, please.
    I have VCR, G4 Powerbook, Canopus ADVC 300 and Ilife 08 and/or Imovie HD6.0.4.
    Another poster said I needed to purchase Ilife 08 to make it work, but after the software arrived, it required G5 hardware to fully install. Not happy with that.
    Is there a workaround? Please advise.

    Assuming that you have VHS tapes that you want to convert to digital to use in iMovie? Is that correct? If so, you can find helpful information in these threads:
    http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=7138598&#7138598
    An older MacWorld article with step by step instructions:
    http://www.macworld.com/article/30972/2004/05/fromvhstodvd.html
    If you are trying to do something else, please post back.

  • Converting VHS into my FCE project

    I know this may not be the right place for this question, but I am sure some of you have had this challenge before. I am trying to convert VHS to DVD using my camcorder and an S plug. So I can place the footage in a project I am working on. When I hit the record button I am just recording a black screen. I feel this is something I am over looking, because I have done this in the past (with a different camcorder and VCR machine) but now it is not working.
    I am plugging the S jack into the machine and then the camcorder. Then hitting play on the VCR and while the camera is in the playback mode I am hitting record on that and it is recording the black screen instead of the VHS. Does ANYONE have any ideas? I need to get this project done asap, so I need to get the footage recorded asap.
    Thanks
    ruez

    Hi
    To be able to get material into a miniDV (tape) Camera there are some musts.
    • Camera must have analog in (as written previously)
    • The eventual SCART connector that came with Camera is one way - to VHS-VCR and
    not the other way around. This needs a SCART connector WITH an In and Out switch.
    If Camera doesn't have analog in. Then You need an Analog/Digital Box as Canopus ADVC 55, 110 or 300.
    There are several others to cheaper and expencive.
    ADVC 55 - one way from VHS-VCR to Mac via FireWire
    ADVC 110 - both ways - This is very good because You then can connect a small TV
    and in real time judge quality while editing in FinalCut (and iMovie up to HD 6)
    ADVC 300 - timebase correction - Very helpful if tapes are old (with drop-outs)
    (resulting in less baby-sitting - Drop outs stops import = restart)
    Yours Bengt W

  • CONVERTING VHS TAPES FOR PREMIER

    Hello,
    I have many analog VHS tapes that I would like to import into Premier. Can this be done direct or is there an intermediate software that the tapes need to first be input to and then possibly converted to a Premier friendly digital file.  These are not commercial tapes or movies with copyright protection but rather family vacation and home movie material. I recentlly began using a product to convert vinyl to digital audio files and I am hoping that there is something similar for VHS material. I am currently running with PE 4.0..Thanks Tom T

    I am using Acoustica's Spin It Again Ver.2.
    http://www.acoustica.com/spinitagain/index.htm
    It has a very easy to use interface and has a host of cleanup combinations to minimize clicks and pops and tape hiss. Its only tricky quality is the feature that auto sets its recording level. In order for the auto feature to set itself properly you need to play the loudest passage of the record your transferring. That isn't always easy to either remember from having played it or finding it on the record without some sampling.
    If you already have a stereo with a record output, turntable and a cassette tape deck its almost plug and play. You can begin transferring almost immediatly. The computer also needs to have an audio input as well. I've had two computers dating back to the late ninteys and both had them.
    The only other feature that can be a little troublesome is the feature that breaks the recording into tracks. That requires a break in the audio. But all is fixable after the transfer. I like playing around so I don't mind going in and adjusting as necessary but for most albums it works just fine.
    If your hooked up to the internet while your transferring it also has a nifty lookup feature that will automatically plug in all the track titles from what must be the largest database of recordings in the world. This is really neat and saves a lot of typing.
    It has a voice prompt setup wizard, which you can turn off once you get the hang of everything and a fairly decent instuction book plus a users forum as well to help with any difficulties with setup and operation. There are other softwares on the market but this one gives the best performance for the non audio engineers among us, and for the cost.  Even they, who populate the forum like this product for its diversity, ease of use, and quality of transfers.
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  • VHS to digital for MAC

    Hello and thank you for your replys. Still trying to convert VHS video to digital to my mac. I am using a PYRO A/V Link Converter API-557. Can someone please tell me if my mac can read this device or its to old.I have tried everthing and my Mac can not see the PYRO converter via Firewire.

    According to a quick Bing search, your Pyro device should be compatible with Mac, but there is no native software provided.
    You will most likely need to use iMovie Or iDVD for your imports.
    However, the reviews I found by end users state they are using older Macs running Jaguar / Panther OS. Depending on the Mac you're using, if it only has a FireWire 800 port for example, you may have to get a FireWire 800 to 400 converter cable to use your device.
    I have found a forum where they say your device was only supported up to OS X Tiger on PowerPC Macs and no Intel drivers were developed by the manufacturer. See below for details.
    http://macosx.com/forums/mac-os-x-system-mac-software/291260-ads-pyro-v-link-int el-mac.html
    I hope this helps.

  • VHS to digital

    Does anyone know how to convert VHS tapes to digital so that I may edit them in IMovie. I use to record the VHS onto my Cannon ZR45 movie camera but after many years the camera broke. And my new video camera does not have the inputs. Please help! Mike

    Three options:
    1) Get a DAC (Digital Analog Converter). These are little black boxes that will attach between your VCR player and your Mac and convert the VHS to DV. Google "Canopus" for example.
    2) Get a camcorder with pass-through capability. You can hook composite cables from the VHS player to the camcorder and firewire/DV comes out. You don't have to record the VHS onto a miniDV tape, it just passes through.
    3) There is a device called the EyeTV Hybrid, which will convert the VHS signal to MPEG2 through a USB attachment to your Mac. After importing into EyeTV, you have to do a further conversion into Apple Intermediate Codec using MPEG Streamclip.
    [Here is a sample of option 3|http://gallery.me.com/htimjohnson#104678]
    I have personally used option 2 and 3, but many people swear by the Canopus.

  • Need recommendation...convert vhs-- usb, etc.

    Hello:
    I realize this is probably a VERY old topic because I'm the last human on earth to get around to wanting to digitize old vhs cam tapes....but hoping someone here can give me some good recommendations. I have a nice (but OLD) JVC vhs-compact camcorder. It has mono audio out & video out rca jacks. Need a converter to USB I assume to import to my white macbook. These are old family home movies. I *don't want to spend $100 on a converter box (if i can help it)... I've seen things on amazon.com for 1/2 that price or less, but again, want some recommendations from the collective wisdom of mac users.
    Thanks!

    I realize this is probably a VERY old topic because I'm the last human on earth to get around to wanting to digitize old vhs cam tapes.
    Not by a long shot, many are doing it.
    Need a converter to USB I assume to import to my white macbook.
    If you have the better white macbook with FireWire, use the FireWire port. When I switched from a USB converter to a Firewire converter (Canopus) I got better results. Many others have reported a similar experience.
    If you have no FireWire port on your Mac, follow AppleMan's advice above.
    These are old family home movies.
    Aren't these movies important to you? Don't you want the best quality possible?
    I *don't want to spend $100 on a converter box (if i can help it)...
    A good one is around $250.
    but again, want some recommendations from the collective wisdom of mac users.
    I have done lots of this.
    The ADVC300 is vastly superior.
    http://www.grassvalley.com/products/advc300
    I've played around with countless other conversion systems, ranging in price from $79 to $399. Short verison, this is the ONLY unit to own. No dropped frames at all, even with questionable quality tapes, no jitter, great color, excellent sound quality. Zero setup with iMovie 06 and iDVD 08/09.
    This is a prosumer deck. The time code function is alone worth the price if you have old analog footage. Absolutely NO "Out Of Sync" audio.
    ADVC300 is for anyone who wants to do editing and is concerned about quality of color and speed, for the novice it is an incredible gizmo that will restore VHS tapes to a state close to the original fixing midtones, highlights and shadows on the fly. Not only can you simply convert analog to digital you can actually manipulate the signal going in (if you want to).
    A bit pricey bit it WORKS.
    The program that comes with the ADVC300 has some nice filters that can improve video and audio of the source material.
    I would use iMovie 06 with iDVD 08/09, why?
    

iMovie 08/09 uses 'single field processing' meaning every other horizontal line of the video is thrown out, which reduces the sharpness of the footage. iMovie 06 uses ALL of the image to form the video.

 If your primary workflow is editing DV clips and making DVDs, iMovie '06 is better suited. Your movie will arrive at iDVD in DV format, which is an ideal match for making a DVD: same resolution, same pixels aspect ratio, and original quality. If you share your movie from iMovie '08 / 09, it gets re-rendered at 640x480 or less, and then iDVD upscales it back to 720x480. The end result is obviously not as good.

    
iMovie 06 and iDVD 08/09 is a 100% "lossless" combination and my DVD's look like they came from Hollywood!

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