IMovie -converting VHS and SVHS tapes to iMovie through Canopus Video Conve

When I play a VHS tape from a JVC HM-DH30000U player through the Canopus video converter in to iMovie on my Mac OX 10.5, I get a black line area about an inch at the bottom of the picture and the picture is wigglely. I have tried everything I know - under the menu in the VHS player, etc.
It was working right, I must've changed something in the menu, maybe? It plays plain VHS and S-VHS tapes the same......
Also, IMovie comes on automatically when I start my Mac. How do I stop that? I checked iMovie preferences, and Finder prefs, now what? Thanks, Marjorie

What you are seeing is the sync pulse information needed by analog TV - this information is hidden when shown on CRT TV sets because the displayed image is slightly smaller than the transmitted image. Unfortunately, the hidden 'junk' normally hidden by the CRT TV overscan becomes visible when you see the whole image on a computer monitor.

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Convert .mov and other files into imovie

Does anyone know of converter that I can use to import a .mov file into imovie? Called Apple today and apparently even though it is a .mov file there may be something in it that is not supported by Apple. They were not able to help me (advise me on specific converter programs) and I am not sure which one I need or will work. I hate to download things that I wouldn't use. Any suggestions? Also does quicktime Pro 7 convert files? My computer kept asking me to buy it when I was saving the files anyways, maybe there is something to that.

I am having the same problem with iMovie 08. I am trying to import a .mov file that imported just fine into iPhoto '08.
If you are trying to say that files that imported to iMovie '06 won't import to iMovie '08, then this is normal. iMovie '08 has a lower requirement for importation. Files must only be QT "conversion" compatible to be imported. I.e., iMovie '06 automatically converts incompatible files during import if it can. (Some files, like MPEG-1, will import the video but lose audio.) On the other hand, iMovie '08 does not convert files imported at the Finder level since it edits files in their "native" compression format. If the format you try to import is not "edit" compatible, then the file will be ignored.
Any file conversion application that will handle the format you are trying to convert can be used. For instance, I would use an MPEG-based, thrid-party program like iSquint (free) or MPEG Streamclip (free) to convert "muxed" (MPEG-1, MPEG-2, VOB, Flash, etc.) formats. QT "conversion" compatible can be converted by any application having access to the QT structure and for which you may have the proper components installed. This includes QT Pro, iTunes, GarageBand, previous versions of iMovie, or third-party applications like MPEG Streamclip (free), iSquint (free), FFmpegX (donation-ware), Visual Hub (pay-ware), etc.
All I really want to do is shrink the file down so I can email it without causing problems.
Since you did not specify requirements for your E-mail content... If you have QT Pro, you might try the "Share > EMail" option. If not, You can always open your file in garageBand and use the "Share > Export to Disk > EMail" option. This would still probably limit you to 6-7 minute clips for 10 MB ISPs. If you want to send long files or large formats, then it might be better to send reference or QTL files linked to files stored on a server, post them to a web site, or send them peer-to-peer via iChat.

Request Assistance - Converting VHS and DVDs for Apple TV

I have an Apple TV and love it. My mission is to take my old VCRs and DVDs, convert them and place them in my Apple TV Library. I have run into a snag however when the movies is multiple tapes or DVDs. Up to now I have been simply posting them as Part 1, Part 2, etc but that is clumsy and makes my menu in Apple TV very large.
Is there a method for splicing these tapes and DVDs into one large movie? I have tried using iMovie 08 (I will have 09 in early February), but it keeps crashing as the films are too long (3+ hours).
Has anyone else attempted to do what I want to do and have you been successful? If so what software did you use?
Any help would be appreciated.

I have probably 200 home movies and 50 hollywood movies in my TV, and it definitely helps to have some organization.
I have found that I can go to the Movies section in iTunes, from the source pane on the left. You will see a list of all your movies. Pick one of the three you would like to organize together. Right-click (or control-click) and select "Get Info". Now go to the "Video" section and type in the name you want to organize this 3-part movie into in the field called "Show Name". You can also type an episode number if you want. Under "Sorting" you can also put the Show name in. Click "OK". Repeat this for your other 2 portions, and they will all show up under the "Show Name" on the TV.
For example, I have 14 videos from a recent trip to Turkey and Greece all under one show, and I have Godfather 1,2,3 all under Godfather.

Converting 8mm and Hi8 tapes...

Hi,
I've been meaning to get around to converting some old family 8mm and Hi8 tapes to my MacBook Pro for simple editing, archiving, and burning to DVD. I've read around on the process quite a bit and thought I had an answer in terms of getting my hands on a Digital8 camera that could handle analog conversion, but now I'm learning that some Digital8 models aren't compatible with iMovie and OS 10.5 ...
The basics, as I understand them, are this:
To transfer analog 8mm and Hi8 tapes, first you need something that's going to play them. Yeah, so I have a Canon Vixia HV30, but being a MiniDV camcorder, these are apples and oranges here, and that's not going to help. I don't have access to the original 8mm or Hi8 cameras, and even if I did, they wouldn't be giving me digital outputs. So what I want is a Digital8 camcorder, as they have digital outputs and are backwards compatible with 8mm and Hi8. As I've learned, however, as Digital8 started to become obsolete, the mid-range models got weaker and now half of the used Digital8 camcorders on the (used) market apparently don't do analog-digital conversion.
So the question is thus: does anyone know of a Digital 8 camcorder that will do 8mm/Hi8 analog playback/digital output, that iMovie HD on my MacBook Pro will be able to understand?
Are there any details I'm missing here? Is there different software I could use? I'm willing to spend 200 or 300 bucks, but given I'll probably already have to take a chance on the purchase via eBay or Craiglist, it would be nice not to have to spend more.

I am probably th LEAST knowledgeable person on this forum, but ...... I own a wonderful Sony DCR TRV 103. It is dying. It worked fine with imovie and my imac. I actually called and sony will still repair it for about $250. which I may still do, even though I bought a canon HV30. You can sometimes get the Sony that I have on ebay. Sony also sells a high8 player, but that is around $500. About 10 years ago, I wanted to transfer my parents 8mm tapes and what I ended up doing was to sit down with my mom (89 years old) in the dark basement, play the old tapes with the projected and I set up my camcorder next to mom so I could get her recollections on the tape but I also got the click, click, click of the projector.
I know most wouldn't want the sound of the projector, but it's ok... I am so thrilled to have mom's voice explaining who is who in the video. However, I do understand I could use soundsoap to delete that sound.... I don't know.
So,that is my input. That Sony DCR TRV 103 worked great with my imac.

Converting VHS and other Analog into Final Cut Pro

Hello,
I've taken it upon myself to archive some old home videos of a deceased young cousin of mine. The video is on VHS and getting old and I want to put it on DVD for her parents, and then "Print to Video" on DV for a new master hard copy I can use for my personal archive.
I bought a Canopus 300 converter, plugged it into my PowerMac G5 via FireWire, and I can now see the footage on my Mac.
What I can't do, is seem to find it in my "Log and Capture" window for Final Cut Pro.
Does anyone have any suggestions?
I also thought about looping it to a DV camera and dubbing it, then having this footage with a new TimeCode and then capture it into Final Cut Pro.
My first priority is getting this video preserved in the best quality video possible (it's already not so good to begin with).

What I can't do, is seem to find it in my "Log and Capture" window for Final Cut Pro.Does anyone have any suggestions?
You must set your capture settings to Non controllable device in order to capture from the converter and use Capture Now.
I also thought about looping it to a DV camera and dubbing it, then having this footage with a new TimeCode and then capture it into Final Cut Pro.
If your camera hace analog inputs you can do that. This way you'll have a safe copy of your footage. Using the first option, you can make some basics edits and corrections before transfering to the DV, what means cutting some "floo and sky" shoots !
Hope that helps !
Alberto

Transfer VHS and Hi8 movies into imovie

I have a bunch of old Hi8 and VHS movies that I want to transfer into imovie so that I have them in digital format for the future. I know you need a device that you plug your analog player into (like your VCR or camcorder) and then that device will go to the mac via usb2 or firewire. Can anyone recommend a few devices that will work seamlessly with imovie. Preferably inexpensive?

From VHS to DVD
Give New Life to Old Movies
http://www.macworld.com/2004/05/features/fromvhstodvd/
Some tested DV converters:
http://www.macworld.com/2004/07/reviews/firewiredigitalvideoconverters/

I am trying to export a movie through imovie using the share function, but each time imovie seizes up and stops working about halfway through the rendering process and I can't proceed and have to turn off the computer. Can this be fixed?

I am using iMovie and can't seem to complete a render of a completed project through the sharing/media browser. Trying to create a medium size movie that I can then access in iDVD to burn a DVD.
But each time I try, iMovie quits on me about halfway through the rendering process.
I have successfully used media browser to create other movies, but now it doesn't work.
Anybody know of any fixes or troubleshooting?
Thanks.
Stuart Schwartz
[email protected]

When trying to troubleshoot my problem I discovered a forum that was saying certain NTFS drives work just fine
Apple support says that an NTFS or exFAT drive cannot be used when connected to the AirPort Extreme.
I suppose it is possible that someone might have been using some type of special software on the drive that might perform a "conversion", but without more details, it is hard to know.
Note: ExFAT and NTFS formats aren't supported.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2426

Transfer VHS, Hi 8 etc to iMove

Hi there,
I would like to transfer my old VHS and Hi8 tapes to my Mac where I could edit them in iMovie.
I realise I need a device and have a list here of five. I wonder if anyone might to offer advice? The pros and cons.... I am hoping that I don't have to spend too much to get something with good quality....
1. Elgato Video Capture
2. Pinnacle For Mac
3. Eye TV 250
4. Canopus ADVC55
5. Mygica iGrabber USB Video Capture
Cheers, (I've included my Mac's details)
Harry

All good analog to digital video converters use Firewire. Firewire converters give much higher quality and better results.
With the Canopus 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 (I have used it a few times with iMovie 09). The software that comes with the Canopus ADVC300 has some incredible filters that can improve the picture as well as the sound. I sometimes use it to reduce the background "hiss" found in some tapes. Well worth the price.
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 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.

Converting itunes download for use in imovie

I downloaded a TV show from itunes and want to use a clip of it for a demo reel. Is it possible to convert it and move it into imovie for editing? (I posted this question in the itunes forum as well.) Thanks.

Like Kirk said,
iMovie: Purchased videos do not work in iMovie
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=302575
Sue

Is is possible to take a finished project from iMovie 10, and move it to iMovie 9?

Here's the deal. I've got a finished iMovie 10 project. I want to move it to iMovie 9. Here's why. In iMovie 10, when I shared it to Media, I didn't see any drop down to select the quality. i.e....like in iMovie 9....1080p or 720p or Large or Medium. It just did it on its own. I'd like to take this iMovie 10 project and move it to iMovie 9, and share it to Media Browser again, so I can choose a smaller size, so it will fit where I want to put it.
Of course all this is moot, if someone can tell me how to share to Media Browser in iMovie 10, at a smaller level than 1080p or 720p. I'm at a complete loss here. Your help would be GREATLY appreciated.
Thank you,
Steve

Hi NSHS VC,
If you would like to export a lower resolution version of your project from iMovie 10 (2013), you may want to try exporting it as a QuickTime file. You may find the following article helpful:
iMovie (2013): Export a QuickTime file
http://support.apple.com/kb/PH14734
Regards,
- Brenden

How to convert VHS home movies to DVD?

How do I get best quality converting VHS to DVD. I will need to use iMovie as some need heavy editing. I know I can get them into iMovie via firewire using the D/A converter on my newer Canon camcorder. My Question (s)? is /are: What settings & format should I use to import into iMovie8 and to export to iDVD for best possible quality when played on a large screen (50inch). Several of the tapes were in such poor shape that the D/A converter on the canon wouldn't play them and I had to digitize them by playing through Eye-Tv(not the best solution but the only one I could come up with). Thanks in advance for any guidance you can give.
Dave

How do I get best quality converting VHS to DVD.
Use iMovie 06 instead.
iMovie 08 now uses single-field processing. This means every other horizontal line of the video is thrown out, which reduces the sharpness of the footage.
I find I get the best quality using iMovie 06 and iDVD 08 (use Professional Quality encoding in iDVD 08).
iMovie 06 is a free download to iLife 08 owners. (THEY WANT YOU TO HAVE IT!)
http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/imovieHD6.html
To get your VHS video into iMovie, look at the Canopus 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 (not sure about iMovie 08).
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.canopus.com/products/ADVC300/index.php
You will need to use a "Real" Mac, (with a Firewire input).

Importing and Exporting Video VHS and MiniDV

I just recently purchased an iMac 27-inch 3.1GHz (2TB Serial ATA Drive / 256GB Solid State Drive / 16GB Memory). I am interested in converting my family videos from my Sony camcorder (MiniDV) and VHS/DVD player.
I would prefer not to spend tons of money but I don't want poor quality either.
I have the Adobe Master Collection with the video software components. I can't recall since I am not at my computer if I have Final Cut (maybe it's Aperture I am thinking of). I have Toast Titanium but I would need to upgrade to the Pro version for better video components (but maybe I don't need to use it either).
What are some of the ways I can convert VHS and MiniDV cassettes to store it digital on my iMac or created a DVD disc?

Here is a software and device comparison chart with prices http://vhs-to-dvd-converters-review.toptenreviews.com/

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.

Converting old analog video with maximum resoultion for archieving and eventual use in iMovie

There seems to be a lot of information on converting old (amatuer) analog video media to a digital format, and which one is best to preserve the maximum amount of data. I have already imported old VHS, analog 8, hi8, and dv into iMovie interations from iMovie 6 and forward. The later versions seem to convert the older files to their own format, I suspect, with a loss of data. I want to reimport the old media to create masters in the best digital format for eventual editing by iMovie 11, or whatever iMovie comes after that.
I have the following formats: VHS, super VHS, 8MM, Hi8, DV, and a memory card (from a camera which is not directly compatible with iMovie 11)
I have the following equimpent:
SONY dual deck VHS DVD. This allows me to convert VHS directly to DVD. I can later decode using Handbreak, and import etc. but it seems I would be losing quality.
SONY Digital 8 handicam. This will play analog tape and output a digital file. I do not know the quality of the output.
Canon VIXIA HFS100, HD camcorder. This uses memory cards. It is NOT compatible with iMovie 11, which I should have checked before I bought it. I have played around with the memory card and have been able to import video but, I do not know the quality, and I've forgotten how I did it.
MacBook Pro, about 4 years old, with a 2Ghz Intel core duo processor and 2GHz Ram. This is obviously not state of the art. I am willing to upgrade within the Mac family but I don't what to upgrade to for my purposes
Canopus ADVC 110. This as DV out via a firewire port, and a DV in/out. It also has svideo in, and composit in.
I have the following software:
iMovie 6, iMovie 9, and iMovie 11. I am fairly comfortable with each version.
Final Cut Express, circa 2006. I would have to learn this.
Handbreak. I use this to rip the DVDs I made with SONY deck. It outputs all kinds of video codecs but is obviously working with compressed imput files. I don't know if I could get it to accept input directly from one of the cameras or the Canopus.
Audacity. I'm using this to combine audio tracks from various sources to add commentary to silent videos, which i would like to add as a voice over track to my iMovies
Toast. I think this can convert files of one video format to another in the process of copying.
Thanks for any advice on any part of this question.
Steve B

Yes
I found a program but am experiencing lots of trouble with it. I was hoping that others could give me a better suggestion.
I've actually downloaded and installed ffmpeg but the problem I'm experiencing now is that the videos do not convert. The program starts to work and then three seconds later I get the dialog box that says everything has been converted but the file created is 0KB and of course will not open.
Any ideas about what could be going wrong? I've attempted to convert the files to different formats and try converting different files as well. I still have the problem.

Using iMovie for VHS Tape copy

I am trying to transfer some media from a VHS tape to burn to DVD. I have copied the VHS tape into iMovie successfully but find that the files are much too large to burn to a dvd. I used a DAC 100 to convert and did them in 16 bit. Is there a way to keep quality and transfer about 1 hour and 20 minutes of VHS tape to a regular 4.7 gig dvd?
Thanks

Hi Jerry and welcome!
DV in iMovie runs at 13GB per hour, hence the large file sizes.
iDVD is only concerned with length (max 2 hours as stated, including menus, themes, transitions etc), and will compress that to fit a standard 4.7 GB DVD.
So no worries - 1 hr 20 mins will work perfectly!

IMovie -converting VHS and SVHS tapes to iMovie through Canopus Video Conve

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