Inporting VHS-C tapes

Hi
I am trying to import some old VHS-C tapes into iMovie. I bought the Canopus110 converter. I have a VHS-C cassette adapter (where the mini tapes go into a normal VHS) and i have put this into a tv/vhs combi. I have connected the tv/vhs to the converter with a audio/video cable (the one where there is a yellow plug for video and another one for audio - RCA?) and then the converter is connected to my G4 laptop via a firewire cable.
When i play the video through the tv nothing is showing up in iMovie and when i try to input nothing comes through. The blue screen does say 'camera connected' or 'camera playing' as if it recognises something. I have tried the converter set to digital and analogue input and it makes no difference, i've also been through all the help options on iMovie and can't find an answer.
Help! Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks. K.

Sorry; don't know anything about Canopus.
Make sure, if it has that kind of switch, that both the Canopus and iMovie are set up for PAL video, or 25 frames-per-sec video. (..In iMovie, go to Preferences - under the word iMovie HD at top-left - and under the 'General' tab select 'New Project frame rate: 25 fps'..)
If you can borrow a miniDV camcorder which has 'pass-thru' you might try connecting the VHS machine's analogue output to the camcorder's analogue input, and simultaneously connecting the cam via FireWire, and see if anything's recognised, or visible, that way.
P.S: Are you sure that the connection you're using on the player/tv combo will actually send out video from the tape? ..Some of the cheaper 'combos' have very limited capabilities (..such as only one connection for audio, instead of white and red for both left and right stereo..) ..are you sure that it's an output, and not an input?

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Transfering VHS-C tapes to FCE

I am transfering home movies from VHS-C tapes (the small tapes that are fatter than miniDV, that you have to place into a VHS tape adapter) into FCE 4.0. I have to use a VCR and am running that through a DV converter which runs into my external HD by means of firewire. I have easy setup set to DV converter box, but when I am done capturing, I get the error message that the audio might be out of synch due to inproper settings, that's not verbatim but the jests of the message. Since there is only one DV box setting, how do I get the correct setting?

The DV-NTSC DV Converter easy setup expects 48KHz audio. I suspect your converter box may be set for 32KHz audio - you should check it. BTW, what make/model is it?
First check Item Properties for one of the clip(s) you captured - what does it say for Aud rate?
If your clips really are 32KHz audio, you could try creating a new sequence, then before doing anything with it, click on the +sequence name+ in the FCE browser, select Settings, then click +Load Sequence Presets+ and select +DV-NTSC 32Khz.+ Then go ahead with your editing.
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Importing VHS-C Tapes

I'm a long time FCP 7 user but seem to still be scratching my head over FCP X. I've set up a VCR directly into a MiniDV Camcorder which I'm feeding into my Mac. I was doing this on FCP7 yesterday and everything was working fine. But due to some technical issues I had to swap computers and am forced to now use FCP X. All I want to do is import about 25 VHS-C tapes and then I'll use the RAW footage later for editing.
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Importing VHS & 8mm tapes at highest quality?

I've been using the VHS-to-DVD USB device to import old VHS and 8mm tapes to my Mac (using S-Video cable, then work on them in iMovie. Simple, but I'm wondering if there are alternative means with higher quality results. The mpg files I get are 640 x 480. Are there some professional products that are significantly better, or should I be satisfied with the current results?

I have been using iMovie, since iMovie 02 (and now use iMovie 06 and iMovie 11).
I have been constantly exploring the best way to convert VHS to DVD with a Macintosh.
I like the Grassvalley ADVC300 A/D coverter.
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 09/11.
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 but it WORKS.
The program that comes with the ADVC300 has some nice filters that can improve video and audio of the source material.
For maximum quality use iMovie 06, or Final Cut Express. If you don't need to do fancy editing, then there's no reason to have Final Cut Express.
Your 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.
iMovie 06 and iDVD 09/11 is a 100% "lossless" combination and my DVD's look like they came from Hollywood!

How do you transfer VHS/8MM tapes to disc using my Mac 10.5.6?

Can you direct me in how to tranfer VHS/8MM video tapes to disc using my Mac?

Your going to need Conversion Software and a USB Adapter.
I use > Roxio Easy VHS to DVD for Mac - VHS to DVD Conversion Mac Software

PAL VHS Windows tape to iMovie

I have family in the UK. They have PAL VHS videos and a windows computer. They have the software to convert VHS to digital format on their computer (Windows based). In what format can they send it to me so that I can import the movies into my USA iMAC imovie program.
Please help.
iMAC Mac OS X (10.4.6)

Hi mushanga,
welcome to this forum
* PAL/NTSC are both supported by your Mac.. (both video standards use diff. resolution, diff. frame rates/depends on frequency of powerlines, we have 50Hz you have 60Hz...) so, that is no problem... a few words about that at the end...
* VHS is analogue, that has to be "digitized" in some way, you told us, this is no problem either...
* Windows... hm?
* Transport... hm (again)?
best quality/storage problem:
a modern PC is able to create "dv" codec; that is the native compressor of iM too... they should import VHS and create "dv"-files... problem: 1hour = 13GB.... or, 20min on one dataDVD (NOT! videoDVD!)... or, they should buy a ext. drive, send later that to you... $$$$$$
less quality/dataDVD...
a modern PC is able to create mp4... that IS a lossy processor, but with a higher bitrate creates good/very good pic quality... (all Apple Keynotes before '05 were trasnmitted in mp4); you can store 1, 2 hours on a dataDVD... needs conversion (=lossy process, but, hey, it was just VHS!)
less quality/video DVD
they should create a videoDVD (PAL), can accomplished by MANY PC apps; 2h on per disk; get DVDxDV, it has a 30d trial period (testdrive sets a watermark)... and cost 25$; convert videoDVD into dv (PAL); process files in iM; follow advice at end of this posting...
conversion to and from videoDVD is lossy... but in means of coast & efficiency.. this is a home project.......
worst case:
they are just able to create .wmv files/store to a dataDVD; then, you need to buy a plug-in form www.flip4mac.com and will realize some dramatic loss of quality....
PAL/NTSC:
as said, your Mac doesn't care for video standards...
but, if you want your family's footage finally on YOUR tape or a videDVD for a USplayer, it needs standards-conversion:
DeInterlacer is a fantastic tool (for free!) doing format conversions; you edit in iM (in PAL), export as FullQuality QT, import that into JESDeinterlacer, get a new dv, import that into iDVD (now, as NTSC)..
iDVD allows the import of PAL for creating NTSC videoDVD, but results are... not so overwhelming.
lots of info, but give it a try.........
hope, that helps........

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Logging old broadcasts recorded on VHS. Most look very good for the time from, some have slight "ghosting" and other carious imperfections. I am using one of the best VCRs and Beta Machines ever made in Sony Super VHS and Super Betas. Both have S-Video outputs. Logging with Formac Studio and I also have a Canopus ADVC-100. Shall I go this route because the picture quality won't get any better? Or any other suggestions? Thanks.

I have an AJA IO, which is an older capture device, and have done quite a few jobs like you are describing. The IO (or another high-quality capture device) allows you to input S-VHS, or another analog signal, such as YUV component video, which many beta decks have, and capture the material to an uncompressed 8- or 10-bit QT, thereby preserving the maximum quality possible. Converting to DV compresses the footage, which can't be undone later down the pipeline, so if you are planning to output to another compressed format, such as MPEG-2 for DVD, you will compress it yet again and lose even more quality. I guess it all depends on the deliverables you need.
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Capturing VHS tape recordings

Hello
I have VHS (PAL) tapes of my kids growing up. I'd like to record these on my HD and burn a DVD since the tapes will deteriorate over time.
I've looked at analog-to-DV converters (such as
Plextor ConvertX PX-AV100U Digital Video Converter USB 2.0) which are inexpensive. TigerDirect has many different ones.
However, all of these converters state that they are for Windows.
Has anyone used one of these converters on a Mac and how did it work out?
I don't want to buy a converter and find that it doesn't work (TigerDirect is not good with refunds).
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Thanks
David

Thanks, Matthew
I was just looking up Canopus' website. They have two distributors in Canada but neither weblink works .
My camcorder is an old PAL system purchased back in 1990 in Dubai. Definetely no pass-through on this one!! The camera has died and can't be repaired in Canada. Luckily I had transferred my tapes to a regular VHS tape.
Most of the DV converters available seem to be marked "for Windows". My hesitation is that they may not work with my Mac.
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Cheers
David

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

VHS Tape Capture to Powerbook

I'm trying to copy VHS HI8 tapes, played thru my Sony CCD-TRV62 camera, via S Video cable to a Powerbook OS 10.5.8.
What is best method for video capture? Anything built in? Will IMovie do the capture? Or is another 3rd party program better? (Will then edit later in IMovie.)
Thanks!

You will need an analog-digital converter like the Canopus ADVC-110. Connect the s-video + audio outputs of your TRV62 to the analog inputs of the converter; then connect the FireWire out from the converter to the FireWire port on your PB. Then you can use iMovie to capture the video as you play it back in your TRV62.
As an alternative, you could use a miniDV camcorder that supports analog-digital passthrough instead of a dedicated converter like the Canopus box.
But in any case you need a hardware device to convert your analog VHS or Hi8 video to DV before you can edit it in iMovie or any other program.

Capturing VHS-C footage: Will this method work?

Ok, I'm new to the whole Video and Digital manipulation realm, but I wanted to run this by everybody before I tried it out.
Two questions:
1. Would this work:
- Capturing at DVD quality (I mean, it's VHS-C tapes, not exactly IMAX level stuff)
2. I'm using my S-VHS player and my DV player as a bridge to my computer. Which of these two is better/higher quality (or either I guess):
         a. Plug my s-video into my vcr and dv player, then usb into my computer, then capture that video using the dv camera as a bridge
          OR
          b. S-video into my dv and vcr, capture the footage onto my DV camera, then import that captured footage from the DV camera.

If you are passing the video through your DV camcorder using AV-DV option, the camcorder is converting the AV to DV, the camera would do the same if you were recording that input to tape. Either way it is DV. When you capture DV via Firewire, you are capturing a stream of binary data that meets the DV IEEE1394 standard. It makes no difference if the stream comes from the pass-through, or from recording to tape first and then capturing the tape. There is no change in quality loss between the methods. Recognize however, the source was only VHS and the DV copy by either method can't be better than the VHS.
As for USB, I do not believe that Premiere pro can capture a USB input, the Premierr pro miniDV/HDV option is only for IEEE1394 capture.
Your USB connection may be passing through a camera-specific utility and being recorded as a AVI file on your HDD. You then have to import that file to Premiere using the project panel

1394 adapter from analog VHS-C to Premiere

I've got a job to copy video from some old VHS-C tapes to DVD.
I hope that I can use the 1394 ports (FireWire) on my motherboard or USB 3 for receive analog signal from the camcorder.
Which adapter should I buy to be sure that it can be used to Premiere?
VIA 6308 1394 controller supports 2 x 1394a ports
What adapter can I buy for this purpose

Alternately, use BMD Video Encoder for $149 - slightly cheaper than ADVC-110 (~ $220), and much smaller. Doesn't have S-Video, but then you may not need one if your VHS player doesn't have it.
For the record, none of the Grass Valley (or any analog-to-DV) converters encodes into MPEG2 VBR - which is the standard format for DVDs. There used to be inexpensive analog-to-MPEG2 USB encoders but I don't see them around any more.

One last question about capturing from tape

I have a box full of family VHS tapes that I will be capturing into the computer to digitally archive. However, I want to make sure I am doing it the best possible way. These are the two things most important to me:
1. Quality
2. Longevity
1. Quality
I have a VHS/MiniDV JVC SR-VS30 deck connected via firewire into my 2014 iMac. I know that firewire is typically the best option when capturing DV footage into the computer. However, is this still true for VHS and other forms of old tape. I can hook anything up to this deck via composite/s-video in and go out through the firewire connection. However, I wasn't sure if firewire was the best coming from a VHS tape. I also have an old video capture card that has a straight s-video/composite input. Which would be more native to the VHS/analog tapes as far as keeping original quality and the best possible image?
When I use the JVC deck, some programs will capture the vhs tapes and others won't because they won't recognize unless I'm using the DV side. For example, FCPX recognizes the deck, but when I go to import unless it's a dv, it will say "no tape" and I cannot capture anything. iMovie will capture files as .DV. Quicktime will also recognize the deck and capture files as apple prores MOV files. When I compare the QT and iMovie, the QT files look better in my opinion, though I don't know if they truly are. The iMovie dv files have jagged edges like tv lines or something during quick movement and like others say about firewire it looks a little "milky" (though I know this isn't necessarily a bad thing). The QT clips don't necessarily look sharper, but they don't have the hideous jagged edges.
So my question before I start this large project is:
Which capture methods above would you use, or what else would you recommend for best quality?
2. Longevity
Which file format would you recommend saving these files (or just keeping them as they are at capture) for long term storage? When I come back to these files in 10 years and need to convert them to something new, I want them to have the greatest chance of being compatible with whatever lies ahead. There are so many different file formats.
Many thanks for any help along this long process

I want to make sure I am doing it the best possible way.
I have done lots of that.
For maximum quality here is my procedure: ADVC300 > iMovie 06 > iDVD 09/11.
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 ADVC300 has been discontinued by the manufacturer. The included software (which is not really necessary but does enhance performance) is not compatible with OS 10.7 or newer. You can still find the ADVC300 for sale in a few outlets as well as eBay. It will sell between 50% and 100% ABOVE its retail price. Yes, it's that good.
If you can’t find the ADVC300, use the Grassvalley ADVC110.
I have a drawer full of analog-to-digital converters. After using the Grass Valley ADVC300 I find nothing else acceptable.
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).
I would use iMovie 06 with iDVD 09/11, why?
iMovie 09, 11, and 13 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. (Also the latest iMovie CANNOT set Chapeters !)
After lots of experimenting I get the best results using OS 10.6, iMovie 06, and iDVD 09/11. My movies look just like Hollywood!
My primary computer is a Mac Pro, so I just use one of the four hard drives and boot OS 10.6. You can also partition a single hard drive to achieve the same results.
This may seem like more trouble than you want to go through. However, I find the superior quality to be well worth it.

Imported VHS-C Footage Includes Codes

I have a couple of dozen VHS-C tapes that I want to capture in iMovie to create a library for future video projects. No longer having the original camcorder, I bought a JVC camcorder from eBay, ran the S-video and RCA audio to a Sony Digital Hi8 camcorder, and then via firewire to my Macbook Pro to iMovie. The captured footage isn't bad, but JVC's timecodes, playback graphic, and SP or EP indicator are now permanently encoded on the resulting footage. I would expect to see this on the camcorder as I play tapes back, but I wouldn't expect to be recording it as well. Anyone ever have this issue? I have no idea how to eliminate this from the captured tape.
Thanks,
Nick

First, I was able to turn off the display options on the camcorder, so it's no longer a problem. Thanks!
Second, I'm using the passthrough device in both scenarios. When the playback unit is a VCR, iMovie's capture buttons are functional; when the playback unit is the camcorder, they're grayed out. However, with the camcorder display options turned off, iMovie is no longer "recording" but "capturing." While the buttons being grayed out is curious, the output is acceptable. Again, thanks!

Copying video tapes

Hi Guys,
Here's a simple question.........
I've been using Garageband for a while to copy my records & tapes to my MacBook Pro &/or CDs. I would now like to do a similar thing with a few old VHS video tapes onto DVD.
I have QuickTime Pro installed. Is this the right app to use, or should I use iMovie or something else?
I don't really want/need hi-tech stuff, just something to copy the tapes across. Also, what sort of lead would I need, and where should I plug it into? The video recorder has Euro AV1 and Euro AV2 sockets (they look the same).
Cheers in advance.
Message was edited by: Old Baldrick

Hi
A. I would use iMovie HD 6 to do this. Better quality and control.
B. don't put a mini DVD into Your Mac unless it’s a trayloaded DVD.
C. Read what Karsten collected:
DVD back to iMovie:
.. and here the complete 'full 9 yards' ... :
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=3822853&#3822853
DVDs are in a socalled delivery format (mpeg2), which isn't meant and
made for any processing as editing... or, as honorable forum member
QuicktimeKirk stated: I use the analogy of the old Polaroid
"instant" cameras. Push the button, wait for the print to develop and
show it off. ..
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$) + Streamclip (free)
• VisualHub (23.32$)
• 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
• Drop2DV (free) a free tool claiming to convert DVDs into dv-stream...
• Use iSquint for your conversions : www.iSquint.org
from: Bobby Keene
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
be nice to copy rights ^-^
... and, next time, try the forum's search-feature...
from Beverly M.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=42724
Yours Bengt W

Inporting VHS-C tapes

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