Hello converting vhs tape to go into imovie - gooood audio important!

Hello
I need to convert a vhs tape to play in imovie for a client,
it's for voiceover work website - so crisp clear audio is crucial.
not sure what to tell customer service person at vhs conversion store.
Help please!!
thnx

Hi
Concider the cost and the cost of an A/D-box to do the conversion by Your self.
I use an rather expencive one but get Audio and Video as good as is possibly (I think)
I use an Canopus ADVC-300 (Now Grass Valley ADVC-300) - This has some vital features
• Timecode correction = less baby sitting even if drop-outs on VHS-tape
• Picture enhanzing
• Audio stays in sync. even if tape is in LP-mode eg 8 hour and got drop outs
Yours very happy to do this at own speed and full control.
If I'd use a store to do it I would like to have material back on miniDV tapes
and as streamingDV (as recorded by miniDV Camera).
If result is to be a new DVD then I also would not use iMovie'08 to 11 but
• iMovie up to HD6 - or -
• FinalCut (any version)
This to keep picture quality as close to 100% as possibly.
Yours Bengt W

Similar Messages

Importing VHS tape from VCR into iMovie

I'm trying to find out if it is possible to connect a VCR to my iMac and import the content from a VHS tape into iMovie in a similar way to connecting a camcorder to the iMac.
Thanks in advance.

Welcome to Apple discussions!!
I have done lots of this.
To get your VHS video into iMovie, look at the Grassvally ADVC300. Audio and Video go in, FireWire comes out. It also comes with a nice Macintosh application that works flawlessly with iMovie 06 and iDVD 09/11 (I have used it a few times with iMovie 09 also).
The program that comes with the ADVC300 has some nice filters that can improve video and audio of the source material. The ADVC300 will take Audio and Video from any source and convert it to FireWire (iMovie will treat it like a camera).
http://www.grassvalley.com/products/advc300
I would use iMovie 06 with iDVD 09/11, why?
iMovie 09/11 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 09/11, 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 09 is a "lossless" combination.

Converting VHS tapes from VCR into iDVD

What is the easiest way to hook up a VCR to my iMac G5 and copy VHS video tapes to DVD. I am looking for the least expensive option. I only have a few VHS tapes that I need copied to DVD and do not want to spend a lot of money on equipment. I only have an standard VCR that hooks to a TV. Any help on this subject will be much appreciated. Thank you.

Hi a
or buy an analog to digital converting box like a Canopus.
I've got a Canopus ADVC 300 but there are cheaper like the
Canopus ADVC 55. But there are a lot of other brands to
consider.
Yours Bengt W

HT1014 I'm working with imovie 08 and converted movie originally from VHS tape to .m4v files imovie wouldn't recognize it. I converted to .mov files and imovie generated thumbnails (for hours) and shows a New Event but there is nothing there. Any help?

I'm working with imovie 08 on Macbook pro OS X and converted movie originally from VHS tape to .m4v files imovie wouldn't recognize it. I converted to .mov files and imovie generated thumbnails (for hours) and shows a New Event but there is nothing there. Any help?

markmc78 wrote:
.. I'm really struggling with the concept of events/clips/projects.
consider usage of a diff. editor.. iMovieHD6, you're entitled for a free downlaod at apple.com:
http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/imovieHD6.html
but IF you're relaxed, opened your mind, follow the bright light, ommmm.. for Events & Stuff:
your intended workflow will add another step of quality-degradition (8mm>>avi>>mp4>>iM08) ..
consider the free tool Mpeg Streamclip www.squared5.com for 'chopping' that 90min beast into pieces..
rename these new chunks, follow advice given on my site:
http://karsten.schluter.googlepages.com/im08changeeventdate
there's the manual..
http://manuals.info.apple.com/en/iMovie08_GettingStarted.pdf
and the most recommended books from Mr Pogue's Missing Manual series..

Converting old VHS tapes through camcorder to IMovie???

HELP! Have set up VHS and video with output cable to camcorder (Samsung Mini DV). Then firewire from camcorder to IMac and STILL NO LUCK with converting video! Thought I could convert old VHS tapes into IMovie this way, without having to use a Pinnacle Box, etc.....?
Any suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated. This has been an ongoing family "project" I have taken upon myself and refuse to take tape to a professional when I know my Mac and IMovie can do a BETTER job!

Sue, that was not my point per se. I am not rich enough to own two video cameras. For others in my position a tried and tested analogue to digital converter seems a simpler answer, and a lot less work.

Is there a way to convert VHS tapes to iMovie?

Need to convert many tapes into iMovie? What do I need to set this up? Software?

I have recently been investigating this very subject.
The Elgato device you mention comes recommended by many in this forum (as least as many as respond on this particualr subject). It is compatible with BOTH Windows and Mac. Amzon reviews (for what what reviews are worth) put Elgato at 250+ of 330 reviews at positive, while the Roxio reviews have most at either end and a clean split between the numbers at best and worst.
I found Elgato on Amazon too late to get one (until they come back into stock), and $30 of gas for the round trip is my only way to get one in-hand within a day, while the Roxio is in-stock intown.

Import VHS Tapes to DVD and iMovie

I have many old VHS tapes I want to finally digitize so I don't lose them. Most are old football games, generally between 1-2 hours per tape. I am working off of a new iMac - 27inch 3.1gHz 1TB hard drive.
I want to do 2 things:
1 - Backup each tape to a high quality DVD for backup purposes - to be played in a DVD player
2 - Store lower quality versions on my iMac hard drive to be viewed/ edited/ possibly uploaded to YouTube or other web based video sites
I have iMovie, and would like the ability to edit if possible - nothing major, ading scores, dates, etc...and possibly manipulating video (cropping of scenes, etc...) but not much.
I have researched and found a few different options. Most threads I have read seem to indicate the need for one of the following:
Canopus ADVC300
Canopus ADVC55
Elgato Eye TV Hybrid
I am willing to spend $100 - $200, but this I'd rather not go crazy. At a certain point it would just be easier to sed them away to be professionally archived to DVD.
Any advice?

I have many old VHS tapes I want to finally digitize so I don't lose them.
I have done lots of that.
To get your VHS video into iMovie, use the Grassvalley ADVC300. With the ADVC300 Audio and Video go in, FireWire comes out. It also comes with a nice Macintosh application that works flawlessly with iMovie 06 and iDVD 09/11 (I have used it a few times with iMovie 11).
The program that comes with the ADVC300 has some nice filters that can improve video and audio of the source material. The ADVC300 will take Audio and Video from any source (VCR, Tivo, Satellite Receiver) and convert it to FireWire (iMovie will treat it like a camera).
http://www.grassvalley.com/products/advc300
I would use iMovie 06 with iDVD 09/11, why?
iMovie 09/11 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 09/11, 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 "lossless" combination.

Whats the best way to transfer VHS home video's into IMOVIE '11 for exporting/editing?

I have been reading about this subject online for a while now but need assistance/guidance before I go out and buy adapters etc. to begin my project. I am attempting to put home-videos of mine from VHS-C format onto my Macbook Pro.....Is it possible that if I use VCR adapter cables that go Red, White, Yellow, to USB I can directly import these VHS home videos into my computer?
I am going to have to buy a new VCR to do this and I would like to find out if this is going to work properly if I buy a VCR and use these Adapter cables I mentioned above.
Throughout my reading on the topic I've ran across a lot of different suggestions for a million different Video Conversion programs etc. although I would feel most comfortable using Imovie '11 on my brand new Macbook Pro because I have faith in Mac Programs for this type of a procedure.
I'd truly appreciate the help I've been wanting to work on this video project for quite a while now and I'm anxious to get some material in digital format to work with.

The VHS tape deck is analog. You have to convert these signals to digital format before you can edit them with iMovie.
There are a couple of ways to do this.
1) You can get a device called a DAC (Digital Analog Converter). Grass Valley makes a series of these. They are pricey, but give good results. They attach via Firewire, so make sure your Mac has a Firewire port. They produce a file in the DV format. You can import directly into iMovie with this option.
2) You can get a device called an EyeTV Hybrid. This will accept your RCA red, white, and yellow on one side, and attach with USB. This produces a file in H.264 format. You import the VHS into the EyeTV software, and then send it to iMovie through a menu choice.
3) Some camcorders have "passthrough" capability, meaning they can take the RCA Red, White, and Yellow in and output digital DV through Firewire. You can import directly into iMovie with this option.
Once converted, iMovie is a great way to edit your movies.
Personally, I use the EyeTV Hybrid. It also lets me view and record over the air HDTV on my Mac.
Here is a sample of my results with the EyeTV Hybrid.

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.
I hope that this helps. Hollar if you need more details.......Tom T

Converting VHS Tapes to Apple TV

Hi,
I'm trying to preserve a lot of footage of ballet stage performances from VHS tapes - about 120 hours worth. I've read through all of the forums about converting to DVD, so I've got that. What I'd really like to do is preserve them on an external hard drive and view them on the TV by streaming through Apple TV -- but only if I can preserve the quality.
I've imported one 50 minute tape through a Canopus ADVC-110 into DV format in iMovie. I've tried exporting to Quicktime or mp4 using numerous default compression settings with unacceptable results in quality (compared to the quality of the DV in iMovie). Now I'm trying to export to Quicktime using H.264 with a max bitrate of 4800 bps (Apple TV max is 5000 bps). I think this is as good as I can get, but the estimated time to completion is at 12 hours and keeps growing (I've got plenty of harddisk space and all other applications are closed).
So I'm guessing that in order to accomplish my goal, I need:
13 GB/hour storage = about 1.5 TB (ouch, but I can deal)
120 hours for analog to digital conversion (acceptable)
12 hours or who knows how much longer x 120 hours to compress? (unacceptable)
Am I missing something here? Is there a better way to preserve video quality as an .mp4, .m4v, or .mov file? Or should I just give up and burn everything to DVD?
Any suggestions appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Welcome to the forums.
A few thoughts about your desired objectives:
a) Will you want to edit the footage in future? (Keep the original tapes and/or use a digital format with very little compression - like .dv, and/or export the converted video to miniDV tape since it is full quality but smaller physical size)
b) Will you want to share footage with others? (DVDs are hard to beat)
c) Do you want maximum flexibility? (see (a)
If you're happy with the .dv option for flexibility and/or editing, then the challenge you look like you're facing is how to view your video. Obviously, Apple TV is one option, DVD is another. For video conversion, I've had good experience (speed and quality) with Visual Hub, Roxio Toast, and the free MPEG Streamclip. Processor speed is important for video conversion, so you probably want to use your fastest computer.
You might check whether DivX format is supported via Apple TV. It's a high quality but very compressed format - good for viewing/not good for editing in future.
To establish a workflow, I'd create a short test video of representative footage and then monitor how much time it takes to convert into the various video format options.
John

Convert VHS tape to DVD or flash drive

I would like to convert home movies that are on a VHS tape to DVD, and then to a flash drive or USB stick

convert a vhs tape to digital
I have done lots of that.
To get your VHS video into iMovie, use the Grassvalley ADVC300 (much better than the roxio easy vhs to dvd). With the ADVC300 Audio and Video go in, FireWire comes out. It also comes with a nice Macintosh application that works flawlessly with iMovie 06 and iDVD 09/11 (I have used it a few times with iMovie 11).
The program that comes with the ADVC300 has some nice filters that can improve video and audio of the source material. The ADVC300 will take Audio and Video from any source (VCR, Tivo, Satellite Receiver) and convert it to FireWire (iMovie will treat it like a camera).
http://www.grassvalley.com/products/advc300
I would use iMovie 06 with iDVD 09/11, why?
iMovie 09/11 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 09/11, 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 "lossless" combination.

Can't Convert VHS Tape?

I have been transferring my collection of Poirot mystery tapes to DVD using iMovie to import the content through a Canopus analog-to-digital converter. I have done more than 20 without a hitch, but one tape will not import. When I hit the Import button, nothing happens-- the tape does not advance and no content comes through. Two other tapes from the same series work fine, and this problem tape plays correctly in the VHS player. I tried fast forwarding the tape and rewinding it but that made no difference in the ability to import. I would welcome any suggestions on what the problem or the fix might be.

Hi
May be Copy-Protection.
If You try a Disney VHS-tape => Nothing - and that's the way it is.
Howto break into this - is not permitted to even discuss in this forum. Theoretical discussions are even illegal in Germany and this forum is world wide.
Sorry.
Yours Bengt W

Converting VHS tapes to CDRs? Help Needed

Have heard one can do VHS > CDR, and need good sites with tutorials to study. Your input much appreciated.

I have done lots of this.
Let me assume that these movies are important to you and that you want the best quality possible.
To get your VHS video into iMovie, use the Grassvalley ADVC300. Audio and Video go in, FireWire comes out. It also comes with a nice Macintosh application that works flawlessly with iMovie 06 and iDVD 08/09 (I have used it a few times with iMovie 09).
The program that comes with the ADVC300 has some nice filters that can improve video and audio of the source material. The ADVC300 will take Audio and Video from any source (VCR, Tivo, Satellite Receiver) and convert it to FireWire (iMovie will treat it like a camera).
http://www.grassvalley.com/products/advc300
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 09 is a "lossless" combination.

Converting VHS tapes

I am trying to find a vendor that can convert my old VHS tapes to DVD and then allow me to play around (add music, etc) with them in iMovie. So far, no luck. The ones I've contacted can basically just give me a stream of my DVD footage without the ability to organize it in any way, much less add a soundtrack. Any thoughts?

Yes, don't look for somewhere local necessarily. Do a Google search and you'll find a lot of places. For your purposes, you may want to forgo the DVD idea though and find a place that trasfers directly to hard drive in a format that the Mac will read. If I was at home, I could give you the name of a place that I found, but I'm sure you'll find it. Unfortunately, transfers are very expensive. If you have a lot of footage, you may want to do it yourself by buying a Canopus.
http://www.amazon.com/Canopus-770-10150-105-ADVC110-A-Converter/dp/B000GJVE8M/re f=sr12?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1231184472&sr=1-2

Any way to use standard VHS deck to convert VHS tape to digital file (iMac)

I use FCE/iMovie. I've had old 8mm films converted to digital files to make family movies - very costly. Is there a way to use a standard VHS deck as a source with my newer iMac to convert old VHS tapes to digital files for editing?

I purhcased the Canopus 55 - it is working well. You can't preview in iMovie, though, which is a challenge and was a comment in reviews on Canopus 55. I did buy the power source with it based on reviews.
However, I am posting a question about iMovie 08 which has quit making thumbnails & writing the video even though the import screen appears to import.

Hello converting vhs tape to go into imovie - gooood audio important!

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