VCR to Macbook Pro

Hi,
Again, I'm a noob to the Macworld and I want to get some of my old VCRs (through my VCR Player not Camcorder) onto my Mac to burn to DVD. What's a good cheap way of doing this?

Check the products by http://www.elgato.com/
Be sure to observe any copyright restrictions on anything you've recorded.

Similar Messages

From VCR tape to Macbook Pro

Hi,
I am looking to transfer my old home videos from VHS tape to DVD (dont want to buy a VCR with DVD recorder). I was thinking of using my 13" Macbook Pro, the specs are
Early 2011
2.3GHz intel i5
16gb RAM
intel HD Graphics 3000 512Mb
and I hope to replace the HDD with an SSD.
Before I go looking for the tools to do it, I wanted to know if this spec of a machine could handle receiving video from a VCR and recording it
onto hard disc. I know an SSD will help hugely but will the graphics on my machine make it impossible?
Thanks,
Kev.

You would need an analog-digital converter http://www.grassvalley.com/products/advc110 . You then connect your VCR's video and audio outputs to the converter and connect the converter to your Mac via Firewire. Then play the video in your VCR and capture it in iMovie.

I have the new macbook pro from late 2011. when i try plugging my cannon gl2 into the mac via firewire 800 it does not show up in iMovie as an option to import from. i even have gone into my settings on the camera and changed it to vcr.

I have the new MacBook Pro from late 2011. "the one before the new ritina display" i have a cannon gl2 video camera which is mini dv. when i plug it into my mac via firwire 800 it does not show up in the iMovie. i have set the settings on the camera to vcr mode and changed it to av->dv out. when i click on the import from camera on imovie it doesnt even show my camera in it. it just gives me the option to import video from my facetime camera. the camera is turned on the wires are connected i know for fact that its a firewire and not a usb. i know what they each look like. i bought the firewire cable and it was marked down cause it was an opened and used item. would it be possible that it could be deffected and if that is not the reason what other options do i have?

I would say that odds are high that you have a bad cable. Maybe that is why they returned it.
I would suggest trying a different firewire cable.
You can find Firewire cables inexpensively at monoprice.com. You need a 4 pin to 9 pin firewire cable.
Here is a link.
http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10301
Other things to check:
Is your camera plugged in to wall power (not to batteries only). Must be hooked to an AC power source to import.

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.)
4. Turn on the DVCAM. Usually, iMovie will automatically open and be ready to record...if not, start it.
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.

I recorded VCR tape onto DVD-R but will not play on my MacBook Pro. I have already recorded multiple DVDs. How can I get it to play on my Mac?

I recorded VCR tape onto DVD-R but will not play on my MacBook Pro. I have already recorded multiple DVDs. How can I get it to play on my Mac?

"I recorded VCR tape onto DVD-R"
How? Using what equipment/software?
"The DVD plays on the device on which it was recorded."
Just a guess: You're using a VCR-DVD combo recorder. DVDs produced in this way will play on the device that made them, but won't play on anything else until they're "finalized." In fact, Macs will recognize unfinalized DVDs as blank discs until the discs are finalized. Check the manual that came with the recording device for instructions.

Macbook Pro (late 2013) wont recognize HDMI from VCR

I bought a recent vcr with HDMI output hoping to capture family movies directly into the new macbook pro with hdmi input, however the vcr is not being recognized by the mac or imovie, help!

Did you figure out how to get the vcr HDMI output into your MacBook Pro? I also have a vcr with HDMI output, and want to take that higher quality signal into the Mac. Thanks.

MacBook Pro to HD TV Screen Blank

First of all, no computer skills here...so feel free to talk to me in very simple sentences! lol I'm one of those that never mastered the clock on a VCR!
I am trying to connect my MacBook Pro to a TV with and HDMI port. I want to watch Netflix from the computer on the TV. When I connect the cable, nothing happens on the TV and the MacBook screen goes to an old desktop picture that is otherwise blank (no icons...just a blank background picture native to the MacBook). Would appreciate any assistance...I've Googled till my fingertips are numb!
I ordered this cable:
http://www.amazon.com/MC373LL-MC374LL-MC505LL-MC506LL-Displayport/dp/B004TENNUW
I have two TV's with HDMI ports (a Samsung-about 4 years old; a Samsung-not quite 2 years old)
MacBook info is:
Model Name:    MacBook Pro Mac OS X 10.6.8
Model Identifier:    MacBookPro8,1
Processor Name:    Intel Core i5
Processor Speed:    2.3 GHz
Number of Processors:    1
Total Number of Cores:    2
L2 Cache (per Core):    256 KB
L3 Cache:    3 MB
Memory:    4 GB
Boot ROM Version:    MBP81.0047.B24
SMC Version (system):    1.68f96
Purchased MacBook in May 2011

Welcome to the Apple discussions.
Depending on the connection at your TV .... a mini displayport to DVI adapter, then a DVI to HDMI cable. This will get a digital signal to your TV. You'll also need a cable to take audio from the minijack to connector at the TV. If you don't have an HDMI port on the TV, another way would be if it allows PC input, get a mini displayport to VGA adapter, then a normal computer VGA cable between the adapter and the TV.

Inputting audio/video into my macbook pro? with Apple DVI to Video Adapter?

I work with video, and am trying to save my minidv cam's life. is there a more direct way to input directly from a vcr/television into my macbook pro? because right now i'm having to input from my vcr/television into my minidv then into my macbook through firewire.
i was considering the Apple DVI to Video Adapter ( http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?mco=724 17D66&fnode=home/shopmac/macaccessories/cables&nplm=M9267G/A#overview )
but i'm fairly certain that this is output-only. does anyone know if there is a way to input through it as well, or anything that works similarly?

I thought that cables and adapters worked the same going either direction. I believed that the only concern was the male or female end points on them. Not sure anymore though

Late 2007 MacBook Pro S-Video adapter no output.

I've troubleshooted everything I can, so hopefully one of you can help me!
My Fiancé's mom has a late 2007 MacBook Pro running Mountain Lion. She has an older tv, so I was wanting to mirror the display so she can watch Netflix on her TV.
After digging around on the Internet, other users said the APPLE M9267G/A adapter solved this problem without the need for a converter box, or upscaler. Needless to say, it doesn't work..
I've tested the cable, port on the computer, and they both work. I've tried running just the yellow Composite video out instead of the S video through the video in on the TV, and a VCR... Nothing.
I used my old Powerbook 1.67, which has an S Video out to the TV, and it works perfect. When I plug the adapter into the Powerbook's Dual Link DVI port, same port as the MacBook Pro, it doesn't work..
I chose S-Video, even though the TV has Component inputs, because other forums said it wouldn't work without an expensive converter box.
They said this would be the solution.
Does anyone have any suggestions?
Thanks!

Same problem, though with an early-2008 MBP. Things worked fine with 10.6.x and as soon as I went to 10.9 the external display stopped working.
The first time I plug in the adaptor (whether or not there is a video cable attached) the screen goes black and nothing shows up on the external screen. When I unplug the adaptor, I get the display back on the MBP but it's at low resolution and it has put me at the general login screen. When I put the adaptor back in the second time, it essentially locks up the display to where it is black and no key presses or adaptor removals brings the display back. I have to reset the MBP by holding down the power button. I submitted a bug report too, but have no faith Apple will do anything. Big fail, Apple.

No sound through hdmi - macbook pro

I can connect my tv to my macbook pro through a HDMI cable and the picture shows up perfectly. However, the sound goes through my laptop speakers and not through the tv. When I go into Preferences --> sound --> output, there is not option to select for the hdmi, just the internal speakers. How can I get the sound to go through the tv instead?

no, it is not, but after searching these boards even more i discovered this gem, and now all is good, except that u have to change the audio each time......i think......so i mite get an audio cable to make it easier for my hon to hook up........here is the gem
SlugBlanket UK
Re: No sound over Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Adapter Sep 12, 2011 1:09 AM (in response to yvonnelouise1)
DisplayPort to HDMI Sound is actually set up by using the MIDI setup utility found in :
Applications > Utilities > Audio MIDI Setup.
If you purchased an iWires cable direct from Apple the instructions are in the printed booklet that comes in the packaging. Most people don't read this as it's normally the case that when you plug a cable in to anything it just works (VCR, TiVo, Xbox, video camera etc). In this instance Apple are failing to live up to their catch-phrase as final setup is NOT intuitive; "it just DOESN'T work".
The booklet instructions basically say do the following,
Video
System Preferences > Displays. There are 3 tabs in the window; Displays, Arrangement and Color. Be sure you are on the Displays tab. Bottom left of the window tick "Show displays in menu bar" and then bottom right click "Detect Displays".
Now click on the tab named Arrangement. Bottom left of the window tick "Mirror Displays".
You should now only see 2 tabs, Display and Color. Be sure you are on the Displays tab. Select the desired resolution for your TV (probably 1080i). leave all other settings at their default values.
Sound
System Preferences > Sound. There are 3 tabs in the window; Sound Effects, Output and Input. Be sure you are on the Sound Effects tab. Middle of the window select your TV where it says "Play sound effects through:".
Select the middle tab named Output.
Select your TV from the drop-down list next to HDMI, below where it says "Select a device for sound output".
Using either Finder or Launchpad go to Applications > Utilities > Audio MIDI Setup.
On the left-hand side of the window you should now see HDMI. In the middle of the window, on the Output tab, where it says "Source:" select your TV from the drop-down list.
This last action below is NOT described in the iWires notes but was required in my case, it may also be required in yours. If you CANNOT see a speaker icon next to HDMI in the list on the left, do the following:
Bottom left of the window select the wheel icon with the down-pointing triangle. Make sure that sound output is selected and that you can now see a speaker icon next to HDMI in the list of devices.
If you still cannot hear sound, log out of your account and then log back in.
You will now have sound coming out of your TV from your computer
You may have to do some or all of the above to get sound out of your TV from your computer using the DisplayPort to HDMI cable. On my Aug 2011 MacbookPro I had to do ALL of the above. If you take your laptop to a different TV you will have to do it all again so be warned.
Hope this helps. "
k

2012 Macbook Pro and Sony DCR PC1 Connection

Hello all,
My Sony has a 4 pin FW 400 out and I have been using a friend's iPac with FW 400 in to import videos into iMovie without any problem.
I just got a Macbook Pro with FW 800 port and a Rocketfish 4 pin 400 to 9 pin 800 cable. Unfortunately my MBP is not recognizing my camera. I took it back to the store and they tried another cable of the same brand and the store MBP, it still didn't work.
Can someone please help me identifying the right cable or adapter for this setup.
Thank you very much, much appreciated.
PS: Both my friend's iMac and ny my MBP has Mountaion Lion and iMovie 9.0.8

Hi
There are lot's of things that can do this. Most often the 4-pin to 9-pin (FW800) Cable is the problem but there are more.
• Use of 4-pin - 6-Pin and a 9-pin adaptor MAKES things even WORSE
• Camera MUST be connected to Mains-Adaptor (Don't know WHY - but it usually make the difference)
• Camera can be turned on from start - OR one can try to toogle On/Off when connected - My TRS-900E usually suddenly connects.
Here is my notes on this problem.
NO CAMERA or A/D-box
Cable
• Are You sure that You are using the FireWire Cable - USB-Cable will not work for miniDV tape Cameras
FireWire - Sure not using the accompany USB-Cable but bought a 4-pin to 6-pin (or 9-pin) FW one ?
• Test another FW-Cable very often the problem maker.
Camera
• Test Your Camera on another Mac so that DV-in still works OK
• Toggle in iMovie pref. Play-back via Camera (on <-> off some times)
• Some Cameras has a Menu where You must select DV-out to get it to work
• Camera connected to "charger" (mains adaptor) - not just on battery
• Camera set in Playback mode - NOT Recording mode
Does Your Camera work on another Mac ?
Sorry to say it is to easy to turn the 6-pin end of the FW-cable 180 deg wrong.
This is lethal to the A/D-chip in the Camera = needs an expensive repair.
(Hard to find out - else than import/export to another Mac ceased to work
everything else is OK e.g. recording and playback to TV)
A/D-box
• Is the dip-switches set right ?
• Set to same standard as recorded/editing e.g. NTSC 29.97fps or PAL 25fps
• Try resetting it
Connections
• Daisy Chaining most often doesn’t work (some unique cases - it’s the only way that work (some Canon Cameras ?))
Try to avoid connecting Camera <--> external HD <--> Mac but import directly to the Mac then move
the Movie project to dedicated external hard disk.
• FireWire-port - Can be re-setted by - Turn off Mac and disconnecting Mac from Mains/Power for 20-30 minutes
External device’s (hard disk’s)
• Should be FireWire as USB/USB2 performs badly and so does Airport or Net-work connected ones too.
• MUST BE - Mac OS Extended formatted - UNIX/DOS/FAT32/Mac OS Exchange - DO NOT WORK for video due to 4Gb barrier.
Mac
• Free space on internal (start-up) hard disk ? Please specify the amount of free space.
(Other hard disks don't count)
I go for a minimum of 25Gb free space for 4x3 SD Video - and my guess is 5 times more for 16x9 HD ones
after material is imported and edited. No Camera or A/D-box
• GarageBands fix - Close iMovie, Open GarageBand, Play some notes, Close GB and iMove can now be OK
• Does Your Mac have a FireWire Port
• White MacBooks - don't
• MacBook-Air - don't
if not then a few Mac’s has a PCM-CIA slot and there are FW-Cards that makes a FW-port this way
else - NO SOLUTION
Only option as I get it is either
• Use another Mac to Capture material (to an external USB2 - Mac OS Extended formatted hard disk - or -
• Change to another Camera that can be used with Your Mac (no there are no miniDV tape Cameras that can)
• If Your Mac-Book has a PCM-CIA Card place - then there are FW-port-Cards and then
You can import via this - but I've not seen this on more modern Macs. My PowerBook G4
has one and this FW-Card-port works greatly.
SoftWare
• Delete iMovie pref. file may help sometimes. I rather start a new account, log into this and have a re-try.
• Any strange Plug-ins into QuickTime as Perian etc ? Remove and try again.
• FileVault is off ? (hopefully)
• Screen Saver - OFF
• Energy Saver - OFF
Using WHAT versions ? .
• Mac OS - X.5.4 ?
• QuickTime version ? (This is the heart in both iMovie and FinalCut)
• iMovie’08 (7.1.?), 09 or 11 ?
• iMovie HD 6 (6.0.4/3) ?
Other ways to import Your miniDV tape
• Use another Camera. There where tape play-back stations from SONY
but they costed about 2-4 times a normal miniDV Camera.
• If Your Camera works on another Mac. Make an iMovie movie project here and move it
over to Your Mac via an external hard disk.
(HAS TO BE Mac OS Extended formatted - USB/DOS/FAT32/Mac OS Exchange WILL NOT DO)
(Should be a FireWire one - USB/USB2 performs badly)
from LKN 1935.
Hi Bengt W, I tried it all, but nothing worked. Your answer has been helpful insofar as all the different trials led to the conclusion that there was something wrong with my iMovie software. I therefore threw everything away and reinstalled iMovie from the HD. After that the exportation of DV videos (there has not been any problem with HDV videos) to my Sony camcorders worked properly as it did before. Thank you. LKN 1935
from Karsten.
in addition to Bengt's excellent '9 yards of advice' ..
camera set to 'Play' , not rec/computer/etc.?
camera not on battery, but power-line?
did your Mac 'recognize' this camera before...?
a technical check.
connect camera, on, playback, fw-connected...
click on the Blue Apple, upper left of your screen ..
choose 'About . . / More . .
under Firewire.. what do you read . . ?
More
• FileVault - Secure that it’s turned off
• Network storage - DOESN’T WORK
• Where did You store/capture/import Your project ?
External USB hard disk = Bad Choice / FireWire = Good
If so it has to be Mac OS Extended formatted
----> UNIX/DOS/FAT32/Mac OS Exchange is NOT Working for VIDEO !
mbolander
Thanks for all your suggestions. What I learned is that I had a software problem. I had something called "Nikon Transfer" on my Mac that was recognizing my Canon camcorder as a still camera and was preventing iMovie from working properly. After un-installing Nikon Transfer and doing a reboot, everything worked great.
I never liked the Nikon Transfer software anyway--I guess I'll get a cheap card reader and use that to transfer photos in the future.
No Camera or bad import
• USB hard disk
• Network storage
• File Vault is on
jiggaman15dg wrote
if you have adobe cs3 or 4 and have the adobe bridge on close that
or no firewire will work
see if that helps
DJ1249 wrote
The problem was the external backup hard drive that is connected, you need to disconnect the external drive before the mac can see the video camera.
MaryBoog wrote
Maybe your problems is solved in the meantime, but for all others this might help as I had the same problem, also have the Sony HDR-HC7, but the 7e (Europe, PAL). I found this link today and it works perfectly
//support.sony-europe.com/tutorials/dime/videotransfer/vtransfer.aspx site=odw_en_GB&sec=DVH&m=HDR-HC7E
What I exactly did.- put camera in play mode - open guide - choose connection guide - choose comp./printer (where to transfer movie to) - select connection.- i-link (on my camera) but equal to firewire - OK - choose HDV - choose NO for conversion of i.link.
Settings are shown then (VCR HDV/DV.- HDV and i.link-conv..- OFF), press OK, OK, END.
Switch camera off. Connect firewire cable to camera & Mac. Switch camera on, in play/edit mode.
Open i-movie, choose import from camera. On screen below the camera connection is shown.- DV (HDV). Now you can import, automatically or manually.
This worked perfectly for me. Took me 2 days to find out. Could not find any clear thread explaining what I had to do on the camera and the manual was not clear either.
Yours Bengt W

How do I upload my DV videos to my macbook pro if iMovie doesn't recognize a Sony DCR-TRV20?

I purchased a firewire 800 9-pin to 4-pin cable and then found out my macbook pro nor imovie '11 even recognize my cameras existence. I have precious videos on mini DV tapes that I need to upload. Any suggestions?

Hi
My long notes on this
NO CAMERA or A/D-box
Cable
• Are You sure that You are using the FireWire Cable - USB-Cable will not work for miniDV tape Cameras
FireWire - Sure not using the accompany USB-Cable but bought a 4-pin to 6-pin (or 9-pin) FW one ?
• Test another FW-Cable very often the problem maker.
Camera
• Test Your Camera on another Mac so that DV-in still works OK
• Toggle in iMovie pref. Play-back via Camera (on <-> off some times)
• Some Cameras has a Menu where You must select DV-out to get it to work
• Camera connected to "charger" (mains adaptor) - not just on battery
• Camera set in Playback mode - NOT Recording mode
Does Your Camera work on another Mac ?
Sorry to say it is to easy to turn the 6-pin end of the FW-cable 180 deg wrong.
This is lethal to the A/D-chip in the Camera = needs an expensive repair.
(Hard to find out - else than import/export to another Mac ceased to work
everything else is OK e.g. recording and playback to TV)
A/D-box
• Is the dip-switches set right ?
• Set to same standard as recorded/editing e.g. NTSC 29.97fps or PAL 25fps
• Try resetting it
Connections
• Daisy Chaining most often doesn’t work (some unique cases - it’s the only way that work (some Canon Cameras ?))
Try to avoid connecting Camera <--> external HD <--> Mac but import directly to the Mac then move
the Movie project to dedicated external hard disk.
• FireWire-port - Can be re-setted by - Turn off Mac and disconnecting Mac from Mains/Power for 20-30 minutes
External device’s (hard disk’s)
• Should be FireWire as USB/USB2 performs badly and so does Airport or Net-work connected ones too.
• MUST BE - Mac OS Extended formatted - UNIX/DOS/FAT32/Mac OS Exchange - DO NOT WORK for video due to 4Gb barrier.
Mac
• Free space on internal (start-up) hard disk ? Please specify the amount of free space.
(Other hard disks don't count)
I go for a minimum of 25Gb free space for 4x3 SD Video - and my guess is 5 times more for 16x9 HD ones
after material is imported and edited. No Camera or A/D-box
• GarageBands fix - Close iMovie, Open GarageBand, Play some notes, Close GB and iMove can now be OK
• Does Your Mac have a FireWire Port
• White MacBooks - don't
• MacBook-Air - don't
if not then a few Mac’s has a PCM-CIA slot and there are FW-Cards that makes a FW-port this way
else - NO SOLUTION
Only option as I get it is either
• Use another Mac to Capture material (to an external USB2 - Mac OS Extended formatted hard disk - or -
• Change to another Camera that can be used with Your Mac (no there are no miniDV tape Cameras that can)
• If Your Mac-Book has a PCM-CIA Card place - then there are FW-port-Cards and then
You can import via this - but I've not seen this on more modern Macs. My PowerBook G4
has one and this FW-Card-port works greatly.
SoftWare
• Delete iMovie pref. file may help sometimes. I rather start a new account, log into this and have a re-try.
• Any strange Plug-ins into QuickTime as Perian etc ? Remove and try again.
• FileVault is off ? (hopefully)
• Screen Saver - OFF
• Energy Saver - OFF
Using WHAT versions ? .
• Mac OS - X.5.4 ?
• QuickTime version ? (This is the heart in both iMovie and FinalCut)
• iMovie’08 (7.1.?), 09 or 11 ?
• iMovie HD 6 (6.0.4/3) ?
Other ways to import Your miniDV tape
• Use another Camera. There where tape play-back stations from SONY
but they costed about 2-4 times a normal miniDV Camera.
• If Your Camera works on another Mac. Make an iMovie movie project here and move it
over to Your Mac via an external hard disk.
(HAS TO BE Mac OS Extended formatted - USB/DOS/FAT32/Mac OS Exchange WILL NOT DO)
(Should be a FireWire one - USB/USB2 performs badly)
from LKN 1935.
Hi Bengt W, I tried it all, but nothing worked. Your answer has been helpful insofar as all the different trials led to the conclusion that there was something wrong with my iMovie software. I therefore threw everything away and reinstalled iMovie from the HD. After that the exportation of DV videos (there has not been any problem with HDV videos) to my Sony camcorders worked properly as it did before. Thank you. LKN 1935
from Karsten.
in addition to Bengt's excellent '9 yards of advice' ..
camera set to 'Play' , not rec/computer/etc.?
camera not on battery, but power-line?
did your Mac 'recognize' this camera before...?
a technical check.
connect camera, on, playback, fw-connected...
click on the Blue Apple, upper left of your screen ..
choose 'About . . / More . .
under Firewire.. what do you read . . ?
More
• FileVault - Secure that it’s turned off
• Network storage - DOESN’T WORK
• Where did You store/capture/import Your project ?
External USB hard disk = Bad Choice / FireWire = Good
If so it has to be Mac OS Extended formatted
----> UNIX/DOS/FAT32/Mac OS Exchange is NOT Working for VIDEO !
mbolander
Thanks for all your suggestions. What I learned is that I had a software problem. I had something called "Nikon Transfer" on my Mac that was recognizing my Canon camcorder as a still camera and was preventing iMovie from working properly. After un-installing Nikon Transfer and doing a reboot, everything worked great.
I never liked the Nikon Transfer software anyway--I guess I'll get a cheap card reader and use that to transfer photos in the future.
No Camera or bad import
• USB hard disk
• Network storage
• File Vault is on
jiggaman15dg wrote
if you have adobe cs3 or 4 and have the adobe bridge on close that
or no firewire will work
see if that helps
DJ1249 wrote
The problem was the external backup hard drive that is connected, you need to disconnect the external drive before the mac can see the video camera.
MaryBoog wrote
Maybe your problems is solved in the meantime, but for all others this might help as I had the same problem, also have the Sony HDR-HC7, but the 7e (Europe, PAL). I found this link today and it works perfectly
//support.sony-europe.com/tutorials/dime/videotransfer/vtransfer.aspx site=odw_en_GB&sec=DVH&m=HDR-HC7E
What I exactly did.- put camera in play mode - open guide - choose connection guide - choose comp./printer (where to transfer movie to) - select connection.- i-link (on my camera) but equal to firewire - OK - choose HDV - choose NO for conversion of i.link.
Settings are shown then (VCR HDV/DV.- HDV and i.link-conv..- OFF), press OK, OK, END.
Switch camera off. Connect firewire cable to camera & Mac. Switch camera on, in play/edit mode.
Open i-movie, choose import from camera. On screen below the camera connection is shown.- DV (HDV). Now you can import, automatically or manually.
This worked perfectly for me. Took me 2 days to find out. Could not find any clear thread explaining what I had to do on the camera and the manual was not clear either.
Yours Bengt W

Transfer video tape to MacBook Pro?

Hi all,
I'm trying to transfer a video tape (hi8?) to my MacBook Pro. I have a Sharp Viewcam to play the tapes:
http://www.amazon.com/Sharp-VLAH50U-Hi8-Viewcam-Camcorder/dp/B00004WA7K
Can anyone help with a step-by-step process? I have no idea what cables are needed.
Thank!

I have done lots of that.
To get your 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 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
I would use iMovie 06 with iDVD 09/11, why?
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.

Can I convert my old vhf tapes to dvd using my MacBook Pro?

I have many vhf home movies that I would like to convert to DVDs. Can I connect my VCR to my macbook pro and burn to a dvd on the computer?

What model MacBook do you have?
You will need an adopter to import the video/audio signal into the Mac
. It may be better to pay a service to do the conversion and supply the DVDs
This is the Mac Pro desktop forum. I requested your post be moved to the MacBook Pro laptop forum.

My mac's software is only available under my profile on MacBook pro. How can other family members get to the optional SW logged in under their own profile

Is there a way to share purchased SW under mote than one profile on the MacBook pro?
Thanks

If the software is in the HD>Applications folder it's available to everyone. If for some reason you put software into User>Applications folder it will be available only to that user.

VCR to Macbook Pro

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