Importing Analog Video via Canopus ADVC300

When you Import video if there is a glitch in the video tape playback the imovie import stops. So if you have a an older video tape and it drops out the import stops. Is there anyway to for the import to stay running without the input affecting it?
The Canopus 300 is a analog video to firewire converter. It does a great job otherwise.
Thanks,
Andrew

Hi
in iMovie HD 6 - I set it to not import as individual clips.
• there are non in analog import
• turning it off makes iMovie less sencitive to drop outs
Cheque Your Canopus ADVC-300 manual. Think I set it so that it's not so
sencitive to drop-outs. But may be I'm wrong in this.
Yours Bengt W

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FCE HD (3.5.1) importing analog videotape via Canopus 110

I am new to all aspects of Final Cut Express and the Canopus 110 and need some serious help to capture video from VHS tape. I've followed (I think) all directions for the equipment and software, but I cannot get it to work -probably a simple solution, but I am stumped!
+MacBook Pro 2.4 GHz Intel Core Duo, 4GB memory, OS X 10.5.8 & FCE 3.5.1+
*Equipment Settings*
VHS Tape Deck is on (it does work)
S-video cable connects from VHS player "S-video Out" to Canopus 110 "S-video In"
Canopus ADVC110 - all DIP switches set to off, "Analog In" light is on
Firewire cable connects Canopus110 to MacBook Pro +(also providing power for device)+
Fantom Green Drive 1TB External Hard Drive attached to MBP via USB
*Software Settings*
I have tried two different Easy Setup Choices
DV-NTSC DV Converter - this choice does not appear to work at all, unless I am missing something. This setting does not allow me to capture.
DV-NTSC - with this setting, it appears the devices are connected properly as FCE shows "VTR ok." Yet there are only bars with the note "preview disabled." I can theoretically capture data... but only a black screen is visible, no video.
I really need help. The movies were "taped" 20 years ago, but from film reels taken more than 50 years ago with an old movie camera. Obviously, I am not worried about sound at this time, but I must be able to capture the video stream in short clips that can be re-ordered. Given the age of the tapes, though, it is of primary importance that they simply be preserved.

Hello, and welcome to the Forum.
It appears you have the Canopus connected properly.
Exactly what model MacBook Pro do you have; and is the FireWire connection FW400 or FW800? What kind of cable are you using to connect your MBP to the Canopus box? (eg. 6-pin FW400 to 6-pin FW400, or 9-pin FW800 to 6-pin FW400, or something else? Is is a cable alone, or are you using some kind of FW400/800 adapter?) Do you have ANY other FireWire devices connected?
You should use the DV NTSC - DV Converter easy setup. When you use this easy setup you will only be able to use 'Capture Now'. Note: you do have to manually start your VCR playback.
Try shutting off everything, then power on your VHS deck & Canopus box. Then start your Mac. Then start FCE. At this point, does FCE 'see' your video in the Capture Now window?

Problems importing VHS video via Canopus ADVC110

OK, I can't figure out how best to do this. I picked up a Canopus ADVC110 converter box to aid in digitizing a stack of VHS tapes. Yesterday I performed a short (1 minute) trial run and was unsatisfied with the results.
I imported the footage into iMovie '08, then tried burning a DVD of the clip iDVD. The result looked noticeably worse than the original tape. I'd settle for near quality, but this showed heavy compression, darker and grainier image, etc. I tried burning both "medium" and "large" versions that were sent to the Media Browser. Same result. I even tried exporting the project as a Quicktime DV stream and burning a DVD using Toast Titanium 9. No difference.
Now, the video preview inside iMovie seems to look OK, but then again it's hard to compare what I'm seeing there with the finished DVD video that I watch on my 13" television. I'm thinking that something is going haywire in the export and DVD-burning phase, though I may be way off on that one.
In any case, I'd love to hear from anyone who is attempting to do similar transfers and how they achieved the best-looking results. I'm merely trying to whittle down my collection of VHS tapes, but if the transfer quality can't be improved I'm kind of stuck...
Oh, I also own FCP Express 4, and am wondering if that might produce a better import? I have no idea.
Any advice or comments from past experience would be much appreciated.
Thank you,
David

I imported the footage into iMovie '08, then tried burning a DVD
Use iMovie 06 not iMovie 08.
For interlaced video such as DV and 1080i HDV, 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.
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, 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 is the best combination. Use Professional Quality in iDVD 08.
When I use iMovie 06 and iDVD 08 I get excellent results.
I use the Canopus ADVC300 because it comes with a nice Macintosh application that works flawlessly with iMovie 06. The program that comes with the ADVC300 has some nice filters that can improve video and audio of the source material.
The Web site below has a good comparison of Apple video products.
http://www.geethree.com/slick/imovie8.html
iMovie 06 is a free download to iLife 08 owners. (THEY WANT YOU TO HAVE IT!)
http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/imovieHD6.html

Can FCP X import analog video via a FW bridge?

I've regularly done this in 7 but have seen conflicting reports as to whether this works in FCP X or not.
Standard setup - SVHS -> Sony DSR-20 -> Firewire -> Mac.
In FCP 7 I use "Capture Now" to capture the resulting video.
Sorry if the answer is obvious.

What results are you getting?
If your deck can set time code to free run, do so.
Al

Imported analog video successfully and it is normal in the "Event" pane but when I move a clip into the "Project" pane, it enlarges it slightly and distorts it. How can I keep that from happening?

Imported analog video successfully and it is normal in the "Event" pane but when I move a clip into the "Project" pane, it enlarges it slightly and distorts it. How can I keep that from happening?

Hi
Turn off analyze/image stabilization.
Yours Bengt W

Import Analog Video

Hi,
I would like to import analog video into my Mac so that I can edit and extract video. I have many analog video tapes and I would like to import into my Mac. I can output video to my analog video camera or to a VCR but can't input. There is a unit, Elgato's EyeTV, for viewing TV that imports but I don't plan on watching TV on my Mac. I hear you can burn to DVD with a VHS-DVD deck and Extract from the DVD using software (Hand-Brake).
I saw a cheap unit that works with Windows which interfaces through, I believe, USB 2 port but it didn't seem to be Mac suported.
Looking for suggestions I have open slots on my G4 Mac for PCI cards.
Richard
1.25 GHz Dual G4 Desk Top Mac OS X (10.4.9)
1.25 GHz Dual G4 Desk Top Mac OS X (10.4.9)

There is a unit, Elgato's EyeTV,...
It is possible to use the Elgato EyeTV devices (and EyeTV software) to capture analog video. The Elgato devices record mpg-2 video on your hard drive and you can then use something like DVDxDV or MPEG-Streamclip to convert the mpg-2 content to DV video for use in iMovie,
Since you will be starting with VHS tapes, you shouldn't loose any additional quality in the process.
F Shippey

Importing analog video using MovieBox DV

I purchased a Pinnacle Studio MovieBox DV Version 9 last February at my local Apple Store. I want to convert old analog videotape to movies in iMovie HD. I'm finally getting around to using the MovieBox, but it's not working. I have a Sony CCD-TRV87 Hi 8 camcorder hooked up to the MovieBox, and the MovieBox firewired to my Mac OS X. The iMovie screen indicates "Camera Connected". When I press "Play" on the camcorder, it plays -- but not on the screen. I realize I need to control the camera with its buttons and not iMovie's. The Apple Store employee I spoke to today said that the cords used to hook up the camcorder to a TV should work just fine hooked up to the MovieBox, but do I need an "S" cable? I am at my wits' end fighting with this, as the MovieBox was an expensive piece of equipment, and I just opened the box. Pinnacle doesn't offer anything but "live chat" for support, and just as I reach #1 in the queue, the session cancels. Funny joke! The "Import" button under "File" is grayed out; I can't even make a "Magic Movie" since the Mac is not communicating with the camera. I bought my Mac a year ago, and have only used it to make two movies, which I've since removed from the hard drive to free up space. What am I doing wrong? Does anyone have any suggestions?

Hello,
Like yourself I purchased the MovieBox some time ago from Apple, to convert analog video tapes to DV and am now finally getting around to working with it. My problem is getting it to transfer the data without timecode breaks. I decided to take a closer look at the "manual" which is limited on information (there is no Mac support on their website) and learned the following; there are 2 DV ports. A & B. A is where the Mode Select switch is. Here is where you select the mode you are working in. If you are using s-video then you select that by pushing the mode button until the LED lights up on that connection. Same goes for firewire transfer mode and composite mode. The one thing you need to know is if you are using s-video, you have to connect the audio connections of the composite cable to get sound (white & red as indicated by the music note graphics on the box) I'm not clear on how the connection to the computer works with the firewire. The manual is confusing in this area. I will have to play with it to figure this out. My guess is, since I'm converting to DV that My VCR should be connected to port B and the firewire to my computer on port A. We shall see...
Hope this helps.
Good Luck

Inability to import Analog video (video 8) to iMovie HD

I have analog videos (video 8) which I can not import to iMovieHD but can import the analog video (Hi 8). Any suggestions?
Thanks.
iMac 10.4.3
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Hullo Ernieluc - very pleased that your problem is solved.
I am interested that you have been able to use 'pass-through' to import your analogue video. Did you have to have a tape in your camera, or were you able to do it with no tape?

Importing analog video intoMac mini or MacBookPro

I have a VHS-C camcorder & a Hi-8 camcorder. I also have VHS tapes. I have a VHS-C to VHS adapter. I think that the Hi-8 has S-video out. So I'd need something external that will convert an analog signal into a digital signal. I want to import the videos into my computer & edit them. I have a VHS to DVD burner but it is in a separate room. Is there any hardware that will convert analog video tapes into digital video that I can hook up to my mini or MBP & import the videos so that I can edit them? Is the equipment reasonably priced?

You may find that, importing the VHS tapes directlly into the Mac Mini is easier because it's lacks a SuperDrive.
I have a SuperDrive. There aren't that many connections on my mini. The Thunderbolt port is available as well as the Firewire port. The external hardware usually has a USB output. I don't know if any have a Thunderbolt or Firewire output. I suppose that I can get a USB to Thunderbolt adapter.
After I posted the message, it occured to me that I already know the answers to my questions. DUH! I need both the hardware to connect my camcorders to my mini or MBP plus I need the software. I've browsed around iMovie. I can import my videos & use it to edit my videos. I have a VHS to DVD burner in the living room. I can use the external hardware to connect my MBP to the VHS machine.

Importing analog video using ADVC110

I am trying to import an analog video<PAL> from a Mitsubishi HS-E32 VCR, through a ADVC110 converter. It is playing in iMovie<4.0.1> but the picture is black and white.Any ideas?

Don't use an S-video cable from a VHS VCR. Use the
yellow RCA plug instead.
Ditto! I am having the same problem and have changed the dip switch for PAL. I am also using the yellow RCA plug. Still black and white! Any other ideas? The video on the camera is showing color!

Simultaneous import of video via firewire and audio via in-line audio port

I have a converter that takes the S-video and audio input from my DVR then converts both to DV format, and then outputs via firewire. I hook the firewire up to my G5, open iMovieHD, and the application recognizes that as a camera and imports wonderfully.
Well, the audio comes through with a MAJOR buzz or hum. It's probably the converter, but the buzz/hum is not enjoyable.
So, I removed the audio from the converter, and the video converts wonderfully in iMovie without the audio. I have the audio coming in through my audio line-in.
I start to import my video, and iMovie starts recording the video. But I want to record the line-in audio at the same time. But when I switch to audio to turn on the input from the line-in, the video stops capturing.
When I start to capture audio first, then switch to capture video, then the audio stops capturing.
Is there any way that I can capture the video via firewire for one "track", and my line-in audio for the other "track", and have them play simultaneously in iMovie during capture??
Any help would be appreciated. thanks Adam

hey there badkitty 42,
i don't think you can do that. it sounds like your issue is electrical. try turning the plug around on each piece of gear in the chain & listen for the buzz. if it's not heard you've found the cause of your ground loop. you can also pick up some of the 3-prong orange or grey electrical adapters from Lowe's or Home Depot to see if you can "lift the ground" to get rid of the buzz. i'd try one on the convertor 1st. one last thing, do you have any flourescent lights in use on the same circuit or in proximity to where you're doing your transcoding? these are notorious for inducing 60Hz hum in audio & video gear.
good luck.

Trouble importing analog video thru converter box into Imovie

I have a very old Sony Video 8 Handycam and and a Pyro A/V converter box. I movie sees the Camcorder/Box but when I press the import button the screen says "Importing" and nothing else happens. I have everything hooked up the way it should be. Can you help?

I movie sees the Camcorder/Box but when I press the import button the screen says "Importing" and nothing else happens.
Your capture work flow is not clear here. Are you trying to import in the Auto or Manual mode? Since no "communication" is possible here, you must capture your content in the application's manual mode. Without communication, there is no device control and you must also manually start and stop the camcorder manually. Simply begin playback on the camcorder and when you see the video begin to play on the iMovie '08 capture screen, then press the button to begin importing your video.

Importing Phots & Videos via PhotoStream & USB (Problem)

I have activated Photostream on my iPhone. As a matter of fact, videos do not get imported through Photostream. So I have to import them by USB. So all Photos are already stream to my MacBook and I just want to import my videos.
The problem: When I plug in my iPhone to iPhoto, it is showing my videos (which is logical because I haven´t imported them yet) and some (interestingly only some) photos, which are already in my library.
Why does this happen?
Thanks a lot and forgive me for my bad english.
Greeting

Did you try importing after seeing that? iPhoto will detect duplicates and give you the opportunity to NOT import them.
OT

Best way to Capture Analog Video (via DV)

I have no issues with capturing DV video froma DV Camcorder in PRE. The process is very smooth and I really am comfortable with it. However, when I am capturing my old wedding and other personal VHS tapes (via an ADTech Pyro AV) I really hate the capture capablities within PRE ( I am use PRE 7).
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(Does anyone know a way to tell PRE to just capture for x amount of time on a analog to DV Capture?)
Is a DV Capture the same regardless of program? Is there any advantage to actually running the capture through PRE7 verses external where I can provide better control over the length and time of the capture.

If your ADS Pyro AV Link is set up right and capturing over FireWire, you should get the same quality no matter what program you use to capture -- and that quality should be as good as the original. Premiere Elements does nothing to change the video data of DV as it captures; it just saves it as it comes in.
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Does that answer your question?

Importing analog video problems

I'm trying to import some old 8mm Sony video into imovie and it only gets imported as Black & White video. I'm using a new Canopus ADVC 110. setup - analog inputs into the front of the canopus and firewire cable, one supplied, out the back to thefirewire port on the iMac. Importing works but it only comes in as B&W. Also no sound during importing but is there during playback. Is there special settings to make this works on either the canopus or the iMac? Any suggestions to how I can get the video imported as Color video would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

It is almost certainly nothing to do with the Mac.
Analogue-DV Converters need careful configuring to work properly. Read the User Manual carefully and check that it is set up for a Mac. (Mine, a different make, had a hidden panel at the back with several switches that all needed to be in the correct positions for the particular task).

Importing Analog Video via Canopus ADVC300

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