Help: Convert 8mm tape to dvd and edit with imovie

Please help. I would like to convert my 8 mm tapes to dvd and edit them using imovie. I have the original camcorder that captured the video and it still works. (The camcorder is a Fisher Camcorder-8 model FVC-801 circa 1987). It says digital on the camera so I think the videos may already be in some sort of digital. I also have a new macbook and it only has usb ports not firewire. To play the video on the tv the camera came with a RF Adaptor and all i do is plug the adaptor into the camera and the yellow, red, and white cords into the tv. I have done a bunch of research and it seems that I will need some sort of converter. Can someone please tell me what kind of convert, which brand I should buy, and how the process works (ie what gets plugged into what, etc) Thank You.

If you want to edit the footage, I'd recommend to NOT put them on DVD first. That will only compress the footage heavily ... then you'll have to uncompress to convert them into a format that iMovie works with natively.
Instead, capture the footage by playing through a qualified DV device (DV camcorder, VTR or converter) and capture directly into iMovie for editing.
Once you're done with the edit, that's when you'd export for DVD for final delivery.
-DH

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Converting 8mm tape to DVD via FCP (AJA IoLA TBC??)

I am playing old home video 8mm tapes out of a Handycam S-Video out (audio from the a/v jack), into an AJA IoLA. I am having a problem with dropped frames, they are happening all over the place. And although I have it set to not abort on dropped frames, when I view the captured video, there are hideous audio spikes and the audio and video are completely out of sync by several seconds after these spikes occur. I've tried different tapes and had the same problem.
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Video8 tapes to DVD (un-edited) with custom chapters?

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Thanks for the prompt reply.
*>>Chroma-key are easy and standard here (three tools at least to do it with*)
You mean only FCut is the place to look for those effects?
I'll take a good look at the sites you pointed out.
Anything good about this outfit?
http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/video/ezediapluginsforimovievol1.html
*HERE is another nagging one for you* (if I may) - not specific to iMoviexx, but possibly affecting downloads, upgrades to iMovie etc...
Concerns errors reported in Send/Rcv via WiFi on my MBP:
I get a lot of Send and Receive errors - as monitored by Network Utility.app when on my wireless network. Actually 10-20 after just 1/2 hour of WiFi activity. Going thru a Linksys WRT54GL router into a HughesNet satellite modem. AND, if I PING another device on my wireless network, I often get LOST PACKETS. All an indication that at least in my case - and I hear the same many Forums denizens complain about similar issues.
Now, as I download important stuff through the wireless network - say, the current many updates/upgrades for Mac OS X, iPhoto etc... and the MBP, do such occurrences render the downloads unreliable? I do not get any message of incomplete download or such as Install such wirelessly downloaded upgrades, but I am concerned about applying upgrades which would have been damaged by such xmission errors. OR, perhaps errors are flagged and "corrected" somehow??
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Thanks again!
- rt

How can I convert MiniDV tapes to DVD? I've use a Canon GL 2 and an iMac about 1 year old. I'm trying to use iMovie and I've installed the latest drivers.

How can I convert MiniDV tapes to DVD? I've use a Canon GL 2 and an iMac about 1 year old. I'm trying to use iMovie and I've installed the latest drivers.

MiniDV was a great format, one I still use often. I also still use iMovie HD6 to process it and, for all the iterations of iMovie that followed it, I still believe it was one of Apple's greatest movie software programmes, next to Final Cut Pro, using a timeline method of editing. That was also in the day which Apple put Superdrives into their computers, so that you could not only make your movie in iMovie, but you could render it to iDVD and then burn the DVD. Now you need to buy an external burner.
Since iMovie HD6 and iDVD 6 were "universal" software, it has continued to work through the many OS releases since it came out with Tiger, I believe it was. So, it may still work with Mavericks too and, if you could locate a copy of iLife 06, probably used, you might enjoy the difference that HD6 has over all iMovie releases since then.
Not saying you can't process your MiniDV with current iMovie versions, but I'm not the one to speak about that.

How to convert VCR Tape to DVD on MACbook Pro?

Any insight into how to convert VCR tapes to DVD on Macbook Pro would be much appreciated!

The first question is: how to get video into your Mac?
My answer is: use a DV camcorder as a translator. Most Canons and Sonys do this. Here are some general steps:
1. connect the video and audio outputs of your VCR to the input jacks of the camcorder. (If the video is on an S-video jack instead of the conventional yellow phono jack, it will be a little bit better quality.)
2. Using your camcorder's menu, set it to "AV IN->DV OUT". This will vary according to the model of your DVCAM. One hint: all camcorders have a 3-position camera/off/play(vcr) switch. In this application, most of them use the PLAY position.
3. Connect the DV out of the camcorder to a firewire port on the Mac. This requires the cable that comes with the camera...it's a mini-firewire on one end, and a regular firewire 400 on the other. (If your Mac has only a FW 800 jack, you may need another adapter.)
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5. Hit PLAY on the VHS machine. You should see the video in the iMovie window. When you see what you want to save, press iMovie's button to start recording. You're free to edit the movie in any way you want.
When you have enough for a DVD, save it and use iDVD to burn a disc.
Alternatively, if you want to save a step, you can skip the iMovie step and just open up iDVD and select the feature...I forget the exact name...but it's like "Quick Movie" that will just save it as one stream.

Hello MacHeads: I downloaded Handbrake 0.9.1 for Tiger, so I can upload a homemade DVD for editing in imovie. Problem is I can't even access Handbrake Help book, because I think my firewall settings are preventing me. I tried turning off all my firewall

Hello MacHeads: I downloaded Handbrake 0.9.1 for Tiger, so I can upload a homemade DVD for editing in imovie. Problem is I can't even access Handbrake Help book, because I think my firewall settings are preventing me. I tried turning off all my firewall settings.? IDK if I'm even doing that right. Can anyone help out here?

You don't need Handbrake for that if it is your own DVD.
You need to convert the VOB files in the TS-Folder of the DVD back to DV which iMovie is designed to handle.
a DVD is in a compresed format called mpeg2, which is standard across all DVDs. This is what is known as a 'final delivery format' and is not suitable for editing. Because is is compressed, a 4.7GB DVD can hold a two hour movie (dual layer DVDs twice that), whereas the DV stream from a video camera, which runs at about 13GB per hour, is not compressed and IS intended for editing.
In other words you have to 'reverse engineer' the DVD back to an uncompressed format in ordfer to edit it. There is a penalty for doing this in terms of slight quality loss, but it is one you can live with.
When you have your DVD as an icon on your desktop, double-click it, and it will open to reveal a TS-Folder containing a number of various files, some called VOB. These are the constituent parts of any video DVD.
When you have downloaded and installed mpegStreamclip, and purchased and installed the Apple mpeg2 plugin, open mpegStreamclip and drag the entire TS Folder into its window. Then using the various menus available to you (just explore them and you will get the hang of it) ask it to convert to DV.
That DV file, which will be many times larger than the original TS Folder, and which can a while to create (be patient - make coffee or prune the roses!) is what you can now import into iMovie for editing etc.
When you have finished doing that, you then have to turn the project back into a DVD.
mpegStreamclip can be downloaded from here:
http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/video/mpegstreamclip.html
which is free, but you must also have the Apple mpeg2 plugin :
http://www.apple.com/quicktime/mpeg2/
which is a mere $20.
Another possibility is to use DVDxDV:
http://www.dvdxdv.com/NewFolderLookSite/Products/DVDxDV.overview.htm
which costs $25.
For the benefit of others who may read this thread:
Obviously the foregoing only applies to DVDs you have made yourself, or other home-made DVDs that have been given to you. It will NOT work on copy-protected commercial DVDs, which in any case would be illegal.

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
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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.

Ripping dvd and editing

Can anyone point me in the direction of how to rip a dvd and edit its content using imovie. I tried handbrake but the quality is poor and took forever, plus it never made it to editing. I have done it successfully on a pc with dvd shrink and nero. I was wondering if someone could tell me what way is best for getting the content in imovie without sacrificing quality. Is there a solution or a website that I can learn this stuff from? These dvds are not copyright protected. With dvd shrink the files were iso files. Is imovie capable of reading these? What is the best way and can it be done on a mac?

welcome Wally to the  board
offers the following options:
* DVDxDV (free trial, 25$)
* Apple mpeg2 plugin (20$) + Streamclip (free)
* Cinematize >60$
* Mpeg2Works >25$ + Apple plug-in
* Toast6/7 allows converting to dv/import dvd, hit apple-k
* connect your Camera to a DVD-player and copy to tape/use as converter
none of these techniques override copy protection!

How do i put 8mm into my imac and edit

How do i put 8mm into my iMac, and edit it?

For 8MM Analog, see QuickTime Kirk's advice. You can use the EyeTV Hybrid with USB, or you can use and ov the Analog to Digital converters from Grass Valley (formerly Canopus) which use Firewire.
For 8MM DV, just connect your camcorder to your mac with a Firewire Cable. Camcorder must be plugged in.
For 8MM film, let me know. I can recommend a site that can capture 8MM film in 1080P for reasable prices.

Importing Video from DVD to Edit in iMovie?

I need to import video from a DVD to edit in iMovie. What's the best way to go about this?
Thanks,
Ted
MacBook Mac OS X (10.4.6) Also own an iBook, G3 500mhz, 10gb drive

DVDs are in a socalled delivery format (mpeg2), which isn't meant and made for any processing as editing...
for using the iLife apps, you have to convert'em first, in recommended order, choose one of the following tools/workarounds:
* DVDxDV (free trial, 25$, Pro: 90$)
* Apple mpeg2 plugin (19$) + Streamclip (free)
* Cinematize >60$
* Mpeg2Works >25$ + Apple plug-in
* Toast 6/7/8 allows converting to dv/insert dvd, hit apple-k
* connect a miniDV Camcorder with analogue input to a DVD-player and transfer disk to tape/use as converter
none of these apps override copyprotection mechanisms as on commercial dvds...
http://danslagle.com/mac/iMovie/tips_tricks/6010.shtml
http://danslagle.com/mac/iMovie/tips_tricks/6018.shtml

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Troubleshooting help needed: My iMac keeps crashing and restarting with a notice: "Spinlock application timed out" What can I do?

Launch the Console application in any of the following ways:
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I have a Sony HVR-V1P, can i successfully capture and edit with Final Cut Pro X

I have a Sony HVR-V1P, can i successfully capture and edit with Final Cut Pro X

My HVR-A1U was able to capture just fine. The only issue I had is that it has mroe frequently than FCP 7 ever did find Timecode breaks and split my clip apart. I never had breaks before, so while it is possible I had them on this latest tape, I think X is just more picky. I mean heck, it found three in a one minute timeframe. My A1U worked with X without me needing to adjsut any settings form how I had it setup for 7.

Is there a way to open and edit my iMovie HD files with iMovie '09 and later versions?

I am getting ready to update an older iMac from Tiger to Mountain Lion. (Long overdue, I know) I have several files that I created using iMovie HD. After I update, will the new versions of iMovie be able to open and edit my iMovie HD files?

I don't think that iMovie 11 is backwards compatible with iMovie HD 6.
If you still have the install disks for iMovie Hd 6 (iLife 6) you can keep it alongside the newer version:
Happily this is easily achieved, but it has to be done backwards.
Delete iMovie 11 (just drag it to the trash). Now install iMovie 6 from the iLife 6 install disks. Update it to iMovie 6.0.3.
Now re-install iMovie 11. This automatically moves iMovie 6 into a folder it creates in your Applications folder called iMovie Previous Version.
Then reinstall iMovie 11.
iMovie 6 works great with iDVD 7.
Now you have them both, and you can have both in the Dock as well.
Alternatively you could try this method, suggested by poster Uitech:
Open a terminal and type "touch /Library/Preferences/com.apple.iLife011.plist"
(No quotes)
Install iMovieHD6 from the iLife 6 install disk.
This works with both Leopard and Snow Leopard Macs.

Can videos not recorded on the new ipad be edited with imovie?

can videos not recorded on the new ipad be edited with imovie?

Hi
Please rephrase Your Question - I'm not clever enough to get it
There are lot's of Cameras that record in lot's of different ways that can be edited in iMovie.
No iMovie can not use all Video-Codec's in the World - they are zillions and many needs to be converted to something iMovie can open and work with.
• Still digital Cameras as Nikons - Import into iPhoto and then in iMovie Event's window import from iPhoto-videos title
• miniDV tape Cameras - connects only via FireWire - then just Import from Camera into Event's
• SD-Card or Hard Disk Cameras Connects most ofthen via USB and Import from "File or other"
• from Internet - (out of my range - Guessing) - most will need to be converted into something iMovie likes - I would try
- StreamingDV .dv - or -
- AIC (Apple Intermediate Codec)
So as You see - I don't get it !
Yours Bengt W

Help: Convert 8mm tape to dvd and edit with imovie

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