Import from VHS Tapes

What is the best way to import video from VHS tape cassettes?

Use a converter box like a Grass Valley ADVC110 I think it is, or DV camera that you can use as a converter.

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Audio quality in video imported from VHS tapes

Hi All,
I am trying to import old videos on VHS tapes, using a Canopus converter. The video is importing into iMovie just fine, but the audio has a loud buzzing sound that covers up the actual audio and is very annoying. Is there a way to extract the audio so I can clean it up using Sound Soap, then return the cleaned up version to iMovie?
I am using iMovie '09, version 8.0.5.
I also use Final Cut Express, so maybe it would be better to just export it to FCE and then extract the video from there?
Please give as much step by step detail as possible for both approaches. In the iMovie "Help" it said to extract audio using advanced tools, but I couldn't find a command in any of the advanced tools to do that.
Thanks.

Is there a way to extract the audio so I can clean it up using Sound Soap
iMovie 06 has some good filters for that.
I also use Final Cut Express, so maybe it would be better to just export it to FCE and then extract the video from there?
Final Cut Express (or iMovie 06) will give you better quality but it won't solve the buzzing noise. I also suspect a grounding problem.

Best quality import from VHS

I'm importing some VHS tapes into iMovie09 using an ADVC-55 and then MPEGstreamclip to break the project into small clips. However, I'm new to MPEGstreamclip and want to use the best quality settings for the data transfer. Rather than spending many hours trying different strategies, can anyone recommend what settings will, in general, give the best quality?
The tapes, and output DVD, are PAL.
Thanks for suggestions and tips.

As a new user, what is the best channel for obtaining iMovie 06, given that it's the best method for maintaining quality?
I understand your frustration. Actually, once you get the work flow down, it is pretty easy. I think it's fairly well established that iMovie 06 will give you better quality with DV video to make a DVD.
Obviously, it seems a little complicated to have 2 versions of iMovie. I can't think of any other cases where I have 2 versions of the same program. However, in the case of iMovie, iMovie 06 and iMovie 09 are vastly different.
I use both of these iMovies on a regular basis. But on the project that you are describing, I would definitely use iMovie 06 for better quality. Someday, when you're dealing with high definition and are sharing these videos on the internet, you may find iMovie 09 to your liking.
I found iMovie 06 to be very intuitive and easy to learn. My video editing goes back to the film days, so I find iMovie 06 quite natural to me.
If you buy the iLife 06 disk, only install iMovie 06 from it. iMovie 06 will not delete anything and it works fine with iDVD 09.
Basically, connect your camera and import into iMovie 06, then share to iDVD 09. Do a 5 or 10 minute project first to establish your work flow. Do this a few times and you can zip along thru the remaining work.
You can get iMovie 06 in a number of ways. You cannot download it FROM APPLE any longer (it was free for a time). You can also find iMovie 06 on the iLife 06 install disc. You can buy iLife 06 on Amazon or eBay.
But be prepared to pay about double the cost of iLife 09 (but well worth every penny). Seller's are becoming aware of its value.

How do I get Video from vhs tape into Imavie HD?

I am trying to back up some of my home movies from VHS tape to DVD. Is it possible to connect my vhs player to my mac? What kind of equipment do I need to do this inexpensively.
Richard

I don't think my camera has that connection. It's a JVC Mini DV camera- very inexpensive.I just purchased it recently. It has an Audio Video output connector, DC input, Digital Video Connector(DV in/out). Are there some inexpensive DVD/VHS combos available or am I better off with some sort of converter?
Richard

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..

Eyetv 250 importing to imovie from vhs tapes

Okay Guys, I need a lot of help.
I am new to mac and I love it. I used to use Pinnacle Studio 10. I have a lot of old camcorder tapes which through the use of a tape adapter I am able to play camcorder tapes in the VCR. Then connect the VCR to elgato eye tv. I use the eye tv VHS assistant and play my movie into elgato.
I want to encode these movies and ultimatly put them on DVD.
So after I did the import I tried to drag the file into IMOVIE.
I got this message..
The file could not be imported: The file “MacBook/Volumes/backup drive/EyeTV Archive/My VHS Tape - 9/10/06 9_21 PM.eyetv” can’t be imported; QuickTime couldn’t parse it: -43
I realized that the problem is the format that was imported was not compatible with imovie. I did more research and realized I that i could export the file to another format. There are several options, MPEG 4, Imovie, IDVD, etc.
What setting do I use to export the files? Also I want to combine several different sections of video. Can I do this. How can I export the section as a clip and drag the clip into imovie.
Any advice would be great.

I just imported my first clip into iMovie today and it was captured from a Hi-8 Camcorder using Eyetv250. I used eyetv2 software's export option and chose "iMovie HD" as the format. I only did this because I thought I had to, knowing that it was going to be imported in iMovie HD6. This however created a 13+gig file from what was originally a 2.5gig file ! So , I don't think that was the right choice. I am going to go back and export using the Quicktime Movie setting toward the bottom of the export format option list (within eyetv2). That setting will produce a video export of the same size as the original.
Another thing I am going to try is to go into the "package" ( a package is basically a folder ) that is created by eyetv2 and try dropping the quicktime file directly into iMovie and see if it will import that way. If you go to the folder where your .eyetv file is placed (Eyetv archive) and right click on that .eyetv file you can choose to "show package contents". When you do that you will find a number of files, including a .mpg file which I assume contains the actual video footage which I would think iMovie can import directly. I'll come back here and post what happens but go ahead and try it.
Mac Mini Intel Core Duo Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Import format from VHS tape

I have old family movies on VHS tape that I want to edit on iMovie. What is the best CODEC format to have these tapes converted for use in iMovie?

If I was having a third party do it, I would probably ask them to use the DV codec.
Many of us do this ourselves. I use the EyeTV Hybrid, which convert these to h.264 files. Others use the converters from Grass Valley, which convert to DV.

Can no longer import from VHS to iMovie HD via Sony TRV-340E

For the last few weeks I have been successfully importing alot of my old home videos into iMovie 4.01.
The set up is a typical AV pass-through arrangement:
VHS (via component cables) to:
Sony TRV-340E (no tape inserted) (via 6-4 pin Firewire) to:
iMac G5
Then yesterday I upgraded to iMovie HD and updated straight away to 5.02.
Now when I play the tape in the VHS, it will show up on my cameras LCD screen but not on the G5.
I know this is an iMovie problem because:
If I play the VHS, and then put a tape in to the camera, then click import in iMovie, I can see that iMovie grabs a split second of video from the VHS before starting to import from the DV tape.
I hope Apple can fix this soon because I have to return both the camera and iMac soon!

Yes, some analog to DV converters don't work in iMovie HD 5.0.2 like they do in iMovie 4.0.1.
I'm not holding my breath for a fix since this has been a known issue for eight months:
http://www.sjoki.uta.fi/~shmhav/iMovieHD_bugs.html#analogDV
You can send feedback to Apple at:
http://www.apple.com/feedback/imovie.html

Capturing in FCE from VHS Tape/VHS Player - Can it be done??

I capture no problem using a 4-6pin Firewire for DV Tapes; and pulling them in from either a Sony DV or a Cannon GL-2 DV.
Does anyone know of a (somewhat low-cost) VHS Player, that has a digital connection so I can pull in source from old VHS Tapes - or digitize some of these VHS Tapes I own, but can no longer get them on any other media..?
I have searched for USB-VHS Players and they seem expensive, however, I would imagine that a USB connection would be wrong... and anything else I find with better digital connections put the VHS Player/Recorders in the HD category and get muderously expensive. I seriously am just looking to capture maybe 10-12 tapes, and would love to have the capability if the need ever arises again for production work; but don't forsee a ton of it.
I have been contemplating daisy-chaining a VHS Player through my DV Cam(s) to see if that would work - but figured I would check here first, being that somebody may know an easy solution... or has done this before and knows the exact remedy.
Your help is greatly appreciated.Thanks.!
Office; Mac PowerPC G4 Dual 1.42 GHz Tower 2GB/120GB HD Mac OS X (10.3.9) Home; MacPro QuadCore 2.66Ghz 8Gb RAM; iBook G3 700GHz 1GB/80GB HD

I have done this many times, using my DVD recorder which has VHS tape and a DVD recording facility. If you can find a friend with one, it is simple. Put the VHS tape in the VHS side of the machine and a DVD recordable (recordable many times) into the DVD slot. Use the machine's dubbing feature to copy to the DVD. After that, Finalise the DVD to allow it to be read by a computer (or a stand-alone DVD recorder). Use Toast to read the DVD and to create a QT movie of your recording. Then Import the QT movie into FCE.

Device for importing old VHS tapes into Mac to edit and make DVDs

Having tried one device unsuccessfully, we're looking for a device that we can use to convert old VHS tapes so we can edit in iPhoto/ Movie and store on DVDs. The one we tried came from the Apple retail store, but the Genius Bar was not able to get it to work. Thanks.

Here is how I do that (this only works with non-copy protected videos):
Connect the VHS tape player via RCA cables to an analogue-to-digital converter like, for example, the Canopus ADVC110.
Connect the converter via firewire to your Mac.
Import into iMovie as DV stream (I use iMovie 6). Edit out irritating commercials (from TV programs) and other glitches.
Convert to standard DVD format of mpeg2 in iDVD and burn to reliable media like Verbatim DVD-R.
Job done!

Importing old VHS tapes, audio missing

Hello all.
I'm trying to archive tapes from a public access television show I did in the 90s. I am running into a problem with the audio. The video comes in just as clear as the grainy tape it comes from, but the audio is not there.
I am using a FCP5 on desktop G5. I am using a sony media converter and a the deck is a Panasonic AG-7750.
I can import video and audio from other vhs tapes fine, but the tapes that I made during this era are silent once they are imported. I can hear the audio from the deck when it plays via the monitor, so I know its there.
I tried to transfer the tapes to minidv cam via the sony box, but I had the sam problem, no sound.
Any assistance would be appreciated.

I used to own an AG-7750 and as I recall, the PCM audio Jim refers to is labeled on the AG-7750 as "HiFi" while the longitudinal audio may be labeled as "Linear" or "Normal." I cannot remember though if the output is controlled by a slide switch on the front panel or not.
FYI, the "HiFi" audio tracks were recorded helically in a deeper layer underneath the helical video tracks and the "linear" audio tracks were longitudinal along the top edge of the tape.
-DH

Imovie choppy when importing a vhs tape, stops importing every few seconds

Hi, I'm importing a bunch of homemovies into imovie for a christmas present for my parents and I've run into a few problems. I've successfully done several vhs tapes using my powerbook, a new sony vcr and a dac-100, but for some reason I am having trouble with this tape. It imported fine for about 40 minutes and then it started showing static. Every few seconds static would fill the screen and imovie would stop importing and cut that part out completely, including audio. When I watched the tape on TV it had the same static but you could still hear all of the audio. Anyway, since the static is probably a problem with the tape, I just want to figure out if there's a way that i could get imovie to import straight through the static so you can at least hear the audio smoothly?
If that's not explained very well let me know, or I can provide more detail. I'm new at this, so if anyone can help me I would really really appreciate it. Thanks!
Powerbook G4

Hi jag7423:
You probably won't be able to seperate the static from the audio but you can try. Import the video and then select Advanced / Extract Audio. Then delete the video and see if the static noise remains.
Like I said it is probably a long shot.
SoundSoap is a program that helps reduce some background noises but i don't know if it will help here.
Sue

Using DVD made from VHS tape (sound only) - won't load

A few years ago I transferred my classical music collection from reel-to-reel tape and LPs to VHS tapes. These worked very well in a VCR.
Now I tried to load the contents of these DVDs insto the IPOD via ITUNES. They were not recognized, however. The DVDs were DVD-R and DVD-RW.
Is there any way a get this material into an IPOD>

I am confused.
You went reel to reel to VHS tapes-suddenly you switch to talking about DVD's?
iTunes does not recognize audio DVD's(I think, I know it will not burn them).
Since for the most part audio DVD's were/are a flop, I don't know of any program that would recognize them.

Adobe Audition 3.0 and Pinnacle 700 USB - How to record audio from VHS tapes???

Hi Friends,
I am new to Adobe Audition 3.0. I need your help.
Actually I am having a old Pinnacle 700 USB capture card. I want to record some audio in my computer by Adobe Audition.
I downloaded and installed required driver for Pinnacle 700 USB (for Vista).
But when I tried to capture audio from my VHS tapes, It not showing proper options. I don't know how to proceed further.
Could any one please help me... Please let me know what all I need to do.
Waiting for your helpful suggestions.
Thanks,
Yash

The Pinnacle is a video capture device and as such captures the video and audio into one MPEG or DV stream. Audition can't see it as an audio card and therefore can't capture audio directly from your video source. However once you have captured a video file using the Pinnacle you can probably get to the audio by using the Open Audio from Video command in the File menu in Audition.

Why does the acquisition from vhs tape stops ?

Hi everyone,
I am having some problems when doing an acquisition from a VHS tape ...
Each time the vhs tape is very bad, the acquisition stops.
I am looking for a solution so that the acquisition doesn't stop from the begining
the end of the tape.
Thanks for your help.
Bettina

Are your preferences set to "Abort capture on dropped frames"?
Edit > Preferences > Capture
If so, try unchecking the box.

Import from VHS Tapes

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