VHS to DVD through ADVC 110 - Distortion at bottom of screen & more ?s

Hi everyone, I've searched through most of the discussions, which have helped a lot, but haven't had any luck finding a few answers. So here we go.
I am converting about 20 hrs of old home movies to dvd. I want to edit out a lot of the boring scenes so I plan on using iMovie 06. I bought an ADVC 110 to convert the analog to digital (I have been using RCA cables for video but it doesn't give the greatest video quality so I am going to try an S-video cable) and I run it into iMovie 06.
1-When I watch it in iMovie there is some distortion at the very bottom of the video and I'm not really sure what to do about it. I've heard of people having this problem before, but I'm not sure how they resolved it.
2-When I have clips in iMovie, where are those files saved on my computer?
3-I plan on making multiple dvds in iDVD. Is there any suggestions on the best way to do this. If I import in DV format and edit in DV format (in iMovie) how long, or how large, can I make the videos before I import them into iDVD so that they will fit on a DVD?
4-Do you have any other recommendations to make before I dive in?
Thanks everyone for your help!

First of all you have got the right equipment for the job - exactly the same as mine, and I had 60+ hours worth to convert!
Make sure that playback from the VHS is as good as it can get: clean the heads, and run the tapes on fast forward/rewind to remove any 'stickyness' before you start to copy.
Make sure you have enough spare capacity on your hard disk. DV streams run at 13GB per hour, and iMovie uses a lot of swap files. Don't even start this unless you a minimum of 25GB free!
If your VHS has an S-video output socket, well and good, as not many have. That only covers the video, so you will still need the RCA cables (white and red) for the audio.
The Canopus does of course have to be connected to your Mac by firewire.
1. That distortion is the timeline on the VHS video, which you never see on your TV. Once you have it all on DVD you probably won't see it on your TV either. iMovie reveals more of the actual video frame than a TV does.
2. Save the imported video in 5 minute clips, or your project file will bloat as you start editing. The clips (video) are stored within the iMovie project folder, the one in your Movies Folder with a star on it. When you come to editing SAVE THE PROJECT OFTEN - every two or three edits.
3. When you have finished editing (and try to keep each project to under 90 minutes, although 60 minutes will give the best quality) save the project and close iMovie. Open iDVD and start a new project. From the File menu in iDVD choose Import/Video. That opens the Movie Folder and you can select the project you want to work on.
When you have done what you want to do in iDVD (Theme, Titles, Chapters, Transitions etc) save the project, then 'save as Disk Image'. Why? Because rendering the video, particularly the audio, takes ages, and you only want to do it once. You can actually burn to a DVD from the disk image, so if you want more than one copy you don't have to wait for it to render each time. Also, you can play the disk image in DVD Player to check everything is OK and therefore not waste a DVD.
Post back with your next set of questions - if you are new to this there will be more!
Personal advice: experiment with a short 15-30 minute project, just to get the hang of it and build up a workflow you are comfortable with, then just go for it!

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Canopus ADVC 110 - picture split in two, black and white, distorted sound

Hi there - I've just recently bought a Canopus ADVC 110 - unfortunately I cannot get the picture to display properly - I've spoken to Apple and to Canopus, but neither seems to be able to help me sort this out.
Basically my imovies does receive a visual and an audio signal from the ADVC 110 ... but the picture is split in two (top half on the bottom, bottom half on the top), its black and white when it should be colour, and the sound is heavily distorted.
The help people at Canopus tell me that this appears to be an issue with PAL and NTSC settings and that there have been reported problems with importing analogue signals from combined VHS/DVD players (which is what I have). They've suggested that the box (ADVC 110) is being 'confused' by multiple signals coming from the VHS/DVD player (this doesn't help me much though). They talked me through arranging the settings so that the Video cassette, the ADVC 110 and the VHS/DVD player are all set to PAL, then have changed the setting in imovies to also read PAL - imovies then tells me that the camera connected is not using the same format (despite the letters 'PAL' on the front of the thing) - changing the imovies setting back to NTSC allows the signal to be received, but in the way described above ... OK, then its the issue with the combined signals from the VHS/DVD player ...
... but, I've now tried it with 2 other VHS players (not combined with anything else, but both supporting both PAL and NTSC ) and the result is exactly the same - I've tried it with every combination of the relevant switches on the bottom of the ADVC 110 - either the picture is as above or imovies will not import (or allow me to view) the picture or sound.
I've tried different cassettes - I've used both SVideo and 3 phono (red, yellow, black) as well as scart connections on th eback of the various VHS players - I've tried restarting the computer, the ADVC 110 and the VSH player - I've disconnected the ADVC 110, and quit imovies, between each attempt - the result is the same each time.
I've tried to find more about this on the internet, but this specific problem doesn't seem to come up - maybe I'm missing something or phrasing my searches badly.
Has anyone any suggestions on where I go from here (rather than bringing it back to the Apple shop and asking for a refund)?
And sorry for the length of the question!
Stephen
ibook G4 Mac OS X (10.3.9) using imovies 4.0.1

Hi Estaphin
Welcome to discussions. I use a Canopus ADVC 100. It's similar to yours. I've never had a problem with it. I've used it connected to a VCR and an analog video camera. Then imported the video into im for various projects.
Try this. First clean the heads on your VCR. Connect an RCA cable to the L/R/ V out on the VCR. Next, connect it to the Canopus front panel - in. Connect the fire wire out on the Canopus front to the firewire in on the Mac.
Put the VHS tape in the VCR. Don't start it yet.
Open im. Set im for a new project. Turn on the Canopus from the on off switch at the back. From the input select button on the top left front of the canopus, select analog in.
Press play on your VCR. im should recognize the signal. In im select import. Your video should begin importing fine. The qulaity of the images on your computer screen will appear to be poor -- dark, faded, etc. This poor quality is for two reasons. First, analog tape can degrade fast depending on how often the tape was used previously, and how it was stored and at what tempertures.
Second, im will display the image darker because of conversion. But, don't worry. Once you burn the finished product to DVD, you'll be surprised how clear the picture is compared to what you viewed in im.
Make sue your DIP switches on the bottom of the canopus were/ are put back to the original settings.
Try that. I hope it helps
Carl
imac 17 superdrive, 1.25GHz Power PC G4 1.25 GB RAM Mac OS X (10.4.2) Airport Express, 180 GB Maxtor external HD, Dell Latitude lap top Windows XP

Conapos ADVC 110 or DV camera for VHS capture

Hello, I am looking to capturing old family VHS into my Mac Pro and make DVDs. I've been reading a little on the ADVC 110 and it seems like a nice analog converter. I just wanted to get your opinions.

I have used my ADVC-110 for years, with excellent results.
Yes, the ADVC-300 is a step up and can especially help clean up degraded video recordings; it includes noise reduction and image stabilization capabilities. But it's also 2x the price of the 110 and you have to learn how to set & adjust its features to obtain the benefits.

Importing VHS using ADVC-110

I have a Canopus ADVC-110 to import my VHS into the iMovie 3 program. I have done this successfully before. Today, however, the computer will not recognize "camera connected". I have checked that all wires are connected properly. I tried unplugging all other firewire and USB port cables except the ADVC-110. I have tried both firewire ports on my Mac OS-X 10.3.9. They both produce different (albeit both unsuccessful) results. Here is what happens:
1. On one firewire port, BOTH the digital in and analog in lights light up and the status light IS lit up. Clicking the input select button does not do anything. The computer still says "camera not connected".
2. On the other firewire port, the status light is NOT lit up, and I can click the input select to go back and forth between the digital in and analog in being lit up. The computer still says "camera not connected".
I am quite frustrated---please help! I'm halfway through a project, and have no idea what has gone wrong!

Hi
One can press in the FireWire connector (6-pin) 180 deg wrong.
This is destructive and the Camera or A/D-box needs an expencive repair.
(the connector on the Mac can also be broken by this)
Test Your Canopus on another Mac with another FireWire Cable just to see that it
still is OK and working.
Else read ( Camera = A/D-box )
*When Camera doesn't connect*
Test another FW-Cable.
Test Your Camera on another Mac so that DV-in still works OK
Toogle in iMovie pref: Play-back via Camera (on<->off some times)
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 Exchange formatted - USB/DOS/FAT32/Mac OS Exchange WILL NOT DO)
(Should be a FireWire one - USB/USB2 performs badly)
FireWire - Sure not using the accompany USB-Cable but bought a 4-pin to 6-pin FW one ?
Using WHAT ? :
• Mac OS - X.5.4 ?
• QuickTime version ? (This is the heart in both iMovie and FinalCut)
• iMovie 8 (7.1.?) ?
• iMovie HD 6 (6.0.4/3) ?
Free space on internal (start-up) hard disk ? (Others don't count)
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 eg recording and playback to TV)
Delete iMovie pref file may help sometimes. I rather start a new account, log into
this and have a re-try.
from LKN 1935:
Hi Bengt W, I tried it all, but nothing worked. Your answer has been helpfull 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..?
Yours Bengt W

No audio in FCE with Canopus ADVC-110

Working in FCE HD 3.5, when I try to capture VHS from my VCR through the Canopus ADVC-110, the video is captured, but no audio. No audio appears on the audio tracks. When I do the same in iMovieHD, both the video and audio come through clean and clear.
I have the easy setup in FCE set to DV NTSC DV Converter. (Same thing if I have it set to DV NTSC). Any suggestions? I'm on an iMac 2.16 Intel 2GB, with a 500GB external hard drive.

I'd try shutting everything off completely, removing all cables and then start from scratch.
FCE should be able to import using the DV Converter option.
I suspect some king of weird fluke like cabling that the audio didn't arrive.
If that does not work then try trashing the FCE Preferences. Otherwise, I'm stumped as well.
Al

Best method for VHS to DVD

Hi, I'm just wondering which would be the best way to transfer VHS to DVD? Or the easiest. I know sometimes the easiest isn't always the best way.
1. Convert analog video (VHS) to DV using your VCR connected to a DV converter (ie. ADS Pyro AV Link), edit in Final Cut Pro, use iDVD or DVD Studio Pro to make a DVD (with chapter menu)?
or
2. Use a DVD/VCR recorder combo, or connect a VCR to a standalone DVD recorder, record DVD. Rip DVD onto computer, convert to MPEG, edit MPEG in Final Cut Pro, use iDVD or DVD Studio Pro to make a DVD (with chapter menu)?
And using this method, how much video can you record on a single layer DVD-R before the picture quality starts to look pretty crappy, what speed setting should it be set at?
And of the two, which would produce a better picture quality?
Or is there another way other than the two mentioned above?
Thanks for your input.
G4 AGP 1.2Ghz upgrade, 896MB ram, LaCie DVD RW Mac OS X (10.3.9) StarTech USB 2.0 card, 30GB, 80GB, 120GB HDs

Note to Mr. Schultz:
To start let me agree that any of Nattress' filters are worth the money you pay for them. Graeme makes great tools for us to use.
However, I cannot agree with your comments relative to the ADVC-300.
With all due respect to you, since your experience with the built-in filters in the ADVC-300 seems to be the exact opposite of mine, I would suggest that perhaps you are not using the built-in filters correctly.
I'm pretty picky when it comes to image quality, but I have had some very good results going through my ADVC-300 both directly into FCP and on to DV tape.
But to each his own. It's a free country and I'm not challenging your claim to have had bad experience with the ADVC-300.
But I am trying to point out to the original questioner that some of us do not share your experience of consistent failure with the built-in filters in the ADVC-300. That some of us think it is an excellent value and great tool if correctly operated.
I will admit the the ADVC-300 manual leaves a lot to be desired, and the whole filtering and level-adjusting process is not very intuitive. But after I figured it all out, I am consistently pleased with the results.
One note - I did need to find a used hardware waveform monitor and vectorscope to view the signal in and out of the ADVC-300 independently of FCP too make sure the levels and chroma in the outgoing signal were OK. If you are relying on the scopes inside FCP do this before capture, they are not reliable or accurate in this situation. That could cause error.
If you have the right scopes and have been taught how to read them correctly, a lot of this stuff is pretty easy to sort out.

Record VHS to DVD

I own a PowerMac7,3. It has an Ati Radeon X800 Xt video card, I would like to copy some VHS cassetes to DVD. Has anybody done this with success? Any help would be appreciated. My VCR is about ten years old and does have a S video.
Thanks
Erik

You will need a device to convert your S-video (or other source) to a digital signal for your Mac.
I've done a few VHS transfers using the Canopus ADVC-100 which is a slightly older version of the currently available ADVC-110.
The ADVC-100 and 110 are video analog to digital and digital to analog converters that use your Macs Firewire port in order to stream digital video to and from your Mac.
They convert to DV format (Digital Video), the native format used by iMovie, Final Cut Express and Final Cut Pro. As an example with the ADVC device, you simply start up iMovie (or the other applications mentioned), and start importing or recording. Turn on your VHS deck and start playing your tape. When the tape is over, stop the import process, then get out your editors hat and have fun.
Once you have the movie in it's final edited format, you can export the movie to DVD Pro or iDVD to create the DVD.
There are of course all kinds of steps not mentioned, but this is the gist of the process.
http://www.canopus.com/
http://www.canopus.com/products/ADVC110/index.php
Tom N.

Elgato Video Capture vs ADVC 110 / ADVC 55

Hello everyone.
I'm looking for some guidance if possible. Like many, I'm looking to convert my old VHS and 8mm home videos into digital format and/or DVD. After a failed attempt with a Canopus 100 which is too old for my machine, I started to explore the possibility of the Elgato which is cheaper than a Canopus ADVC 110/55.
Does anybody have any experience or thought?
Any help would be appreciated.

I have used the ElGato EyeTV Hybrid, which will capture video from Composite video and also enable you to watch and record TV over an antenna (like rabbit ears). It uses EyeTV 3 software, which is great. I am not familiar with the ElGato video capture that you refer to, but if it uses EyeTV 3, it should work fine. If not, pay a little more for the EyeTV Hybrid.
The EyeTV has worked great for me.
Here is a sample video that was VHS, captured on EyeTV Hybrid, and edited in iMovie.

Converting old VHS to DVD

I am in the process of converting some old VHS to DVD. I am running the VHS feed in through my cameras analog input which converts to digital on the fly. The footage seems dull and I am wondering if there is a loss of saturation or maybe just a gamma adjustment that will fix it up. I wasn't sure if it was something I should do in FCP with a filter or if I can possibly just fix it in compressor on output. Any ideas on what is happening on import to dull the footage and what recommended steps I should take?

It will lose a little saturation on the capture, which can be corrected with the CC filter.
It will not look the same, as the video on the computer monitor is only a proxy representation, and the monitor gamma is different. You should hook the TV to the output of your camera and monitor FCP over Firewire. Then you can really tell.
As a side note...If all you need to do is convert VHS to DVD, and don't need any fancy things like menus and such, look at the JVC SR-MV40/45 or MV55 combo decks. They have good quality hardware compression (better than standard Compressor software settings), and are much more convenient. MV-45 can be had for around $400. I recommend it with two thumbs.
tim

Workflow for VHS to DVD conversion

I am bidding on a large scale project to convert 123 VHS tapes to DVD. This is to be done a one-to-one basis and each DVD would have a simple chapter menu system. The client also wants the chapters to be saved on a separate DVD or CD as WMV files.
I am soliciting help for suggestions on the most efficient workflow. I assume that the VHS tape is brought in to the computer using an A-to-D converter and made into a DV file. I propose to bring the DV file into FCP 5 and section it with chapter markers and export it to DVDSP. DVDSP would have a template to receive the file and I burn the DVD from here. I would then cut the FCP timeline into clips and batch export them with Flip4mac WMV. Renaming the files to match the chapter markers would take time.
Given the large number of tapes, does anyone have suggestions on how to speed up or automate the workflow? Maybe droplets, compressor or applescript. I would like burning and rendering to be done at night in a batch scenario. I am willing to spend some money.
Thanks, Dan
Powermac G5 Dual 2.7 gHz Mac OS X (10.4.4)

The customer wants menu's and WMV files so this ruled out the dedicated VHS to DVD burner approach. I was thinking that maybe DVDSP or FCP could be applescripted to automate the file export and rename (chapter marker names to file names). Could I line up a series of MPEG 2 rendering sessions for an overnight run using compressor and could this be scripted? How could I get all the mpeg2 or QT files lined up to do a batch run through iDVD or DVDSP.
Thanks for your suggestions.

How to make iMovie to read ADVC-110???

I'm struggling how to make iMovie to recognize my Canopus ADVC-110 so I can transfer my VHS tapes to iMovie..
Pleease help

Hi s
< When I open up iMovie HD - which video format do I use? >
• DV
• Go down under the viewer window and You can select Camera or a pare of siccors.
Camera should have a black triangle and let You select iSight or ADVC. If not it doesn't detect the
ADVC
• Most probably it is. 6-pin end is about double the size and is rectangular eccept on short end that
are curved to prevent wrong turning
4-pin end is smaller and has an indent on one of it's longer sides for same reason.
If it is not dectected on either of Your Macs it indicates a problem with either the ADVC or the FW-Cable.
• The Cable is far more often the problem. Try to borrow another one and test.
HERE Comes my long long list. Use it with care - not all apply to Your situation.
I would print-out and cheque off those that are usably. No guarantee at all.
Capture/Import problems:
a) File-Vault is on - turn it off
b) don’t Daisy chain camcorder - external hard disk - Mac
(except for some Canon-Cameras)
c) Slow hard disk (fragmented: repair permissions, repair hard disk, use a faster hard disk)
d) Something is occupying the CPU/System, like other programs, Internet etc.
e) Bad RAM-chips
f) drop outs on the miniDV-tape - make a camera to camera copy on a tape which You have previous recorded with a time code (dummy recording).
g) FW-wire cable OK?
h) Break in the time-code on the miniDV tape (make a camera to camera copy on a tape which is prerecorded with nothing/anything so that the tape has a time-code from beginning to the end)
i) defective camera TRY IT ON ANOTHER MAC !
j) remove bookmarks in iMovie project
k) Do You have desktop pictures or screen-savers active? Try turning them off.
l) Updating - OS has to be a clean install - not an update eg from X.3.x to X.4.x (no good)
OS X.4.0-2 needs a clean install to work (I use X.3.9)
m) Updating QT and/or other updates (to 7 needs v6 to be cleaned out first)
QT v.7 needs a clean install to work (I use 6.5.2)
n) Have you tried the crazy fix:
Open GarageBand, play a few notes, close it and reopen iMovie. The camera should import fine now. (Sue/SDillini)
o) NEW (from Sue/SDillini):
Trash the Font Collections Folder.
These files are found:
/YourUserName/Library/FontCollections folder.
Drag the folder to the trash and launch iMovie. iMovie will create a new FontCollections folder containing the files it needs when it next opens.
p) or thrashing the com.apple.imovie.plist file (Rodney Brown2)
q) - Other programs interfering like Flip4Mac
r) - Third party or old plug-ins
May be You find some help in my list:
Mac:
• hardware
◊ Slow hard disk (fragmented: repair permissions, repair hard disk, use a faster hard disk)
◊ I wonder how full your Mac's hard disc is. (David Babsky) A near full hard disk prevents Import/Capture.
10% free is recommended + space for Import/Capture + work space (about 4 to
5 times the amount needed for Capture) eg on a 200Gb hard disk You need 20Gb + (one hour tape)
13Gb + 50Gb = about 80 to 90Gb free space.
◊ Disconnect all other ext devices (FW and USB) exept Camera (and keyboard + mouse) and try again
◊ Rebuild Desktop (Tech-tool or fingersetting during start-up) (System up to 9)
◊ Reset PRAM (Tech-tool or keyboard finger settings alt-cmd-P-R ??)
◊ Reset PMU ( Restting the PMU...is the the alt-ctrl-shift and powerbutton shortcut? ) (Sue)
PMU: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=86760
PMU/SMU are essentially the same in the PM G5.
◊ Reset SMU
SMU: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=300341
◊ Bad RAM-chips
◊ disconnect Mac from powerline (not just switch off, really plug out) for a few minutes to reset FW ports
• software
◊ File-Vault is on - turn it off
◊ Something is occupying the CPU/System, like other programs, Internet etc.
◊ Do You have desktop pictures or screen or energy-savers active? Try turning them off.
◊ Updating - OS has to be a clean install - not an update eg from X.3.x to X.4.x (no good) OS X.4.0-5 needs a clean install to work (I use X.3.9)
◊ Updating QT and/or other updates (to 7 needs v6 to be cleaned out first) QT v.7.0.0-4 needs a clean install to work (I use 6.5.2)
◊ Have you tried the crazy fix: Open GarageBand, play a few notes, close it and reopen iMovie. The camera should import fine now. Sue/SDillini
◊ Running iDVD at the same time as iMovie can cause problems: (Lennart Thelander)
◊ If You also have installed FinalCut Express/pro there are possibly problems with this
◊ Other programs that interferes like Flip4Mac
◊ Codecs added to QuickTime
◊ Old plug-ins to iMovie or third party alike
iMovie:
◊ remove bookmarks in iMovie project
◊ Trash: com.apple.iMovie.plist and com.apple.iMovie3.plist : files (Xinram)
Connection:
◊ don’t Daisy chain Camcorder <--> external hard disk <--> Mac
◊ FW-wire cable, is it OK?
◊ USB/USB2 is NO GO !
◊ Cheque FW connection at Camera end. OK? (Adam Smith1)
◊ Cheque FW connection at Mac end. OK?
Camera:
◊ The Camera is set to VTR ? (not as when You ”film” record with it)
◊ You may be need to go to the Camera menu and select digital out.
◊ defective camera TRY IT ON ANOTHER MAC ! (if the A/D chip in the camera is harmed then it will say in iMovie that the camera is connected and You can forward resp. backward the tape but there will be no picture or sound just the blue screen).
◊ connect camera to power-line, not battery-only....(Karsten Schlüter)
◊ Canons don't allow daisychaining on firewire, make it "only device" on port (Karsten Schlüter)
◊ Cheque the menu on Your Camera so that it communicates with the FW digitally to Your Mac
◊ Date and Time is correct on Your Camera ?
Tape:
◊ Drop outs on the miniDV-tape - make a camera to camera copy on a tape which You have previous recorded with a time code (dummy recording).
◊ Break in the time-code on the miniDV tape (make a camera to camera copy on a tape which is pre-recorded with nothing/anything so that the tape has a time-code from beginning to the end)
◊ If You recorded in LP-mode (90 min on a standard 60 min tape with 12-bit sound). Try to change in iMovie pref. to import but not as individual clips. If this doesn’t work You have to make a Camera to Camera copy with the receiving Camera set to SP-mode and 16-bit sound.
More:
◊ follow advises here http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=43000
◊ follow Grandmaster Dan's advice for Sony cameras here: http://www.danslagle.com/mac/iMovie/usage/5020.shtml
NEWS: Jerry Harris writes:
I know that in a lot of the new Sony HD cameras, iMovie requires that you turn i.Link Conv off. I would look for a similar setting for your camera. This setting has to do with shooting a movie in one format, and using the camera to import as a different format. For instance, if you shoot HD footage and have i.Link conv on - the camera will send DV to the computer etc...
So, case in point: look for a setting on your camera that has to do with the video format and see if that helps.
Yours Bengt

Copy home VHS to DVD via iMac

I have an iMac using Mac OS 10.6.8. I have a VHS player. I would like to copy all my home made VHS to the Mac, edit the contents, copy them to my Mac and Time Capsule and burn DVDs for my family. What is the best and simple way to convert the VHS analog contents to digital, what unit will work (VHS to Mac) and is iMovie the best tool to edit and what is best to use to burn DVDs. I Googled this quandary and I get so many options, I am somewhat bewildered. Who out there has done this. Thanks.

I have done lots of that.
To get your VHS video into iMovie, use the Grassvalley ADVC300 (much better than the roxio easy vhs to dvd). 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.ebay.com/ctg/Canopus-ADVC-300-Converter-/138717476
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.

Compressor 3 best presets for VHS to DVD

I used iMovie to edit footage that was injested into my MAC from the easy roxio vhs to dvd kit. I ran it through compressor because the video was not recognized by iDVD or iMovie. I used my preset iphone to FCP 6. just to see if it worked to solve my first problem and it did. Now I am curious as to what would be the best preset/droplet to build that will produce the best quality out of the VHS footage? I did notice there was a color drop from the iphone preset I used. That preset is an Apple ProRes 422 HQ and audio is listed as multi track passthrough. Thanks for the help!

>They come in as an MPEG-2 from roxio's easy vhs to dvd kit
Exactly. MPEG-2 is a highly compressed format with a lot of information for 14 out of every 15 frames being thrown out. And as you've discovered, it does not work natively in FCP or iMovie. So when you place an MPEG-2 video clip on the Timeline and render, you're converting the video yet again, suffering more quality loss. Then you exported ... which is yet another level of compression and another quality hit. Then it will have to be compressed to MPEG-2 again for the DVD process. Your chosen workflow is adding so much compression and conversion that it only degradates the image quality.
If this is the only way you have available, you could have used MPEG Streamclip to convert the Roxio MPEG-2 files so they matched your Seqeuence settings in FCP, thus eliminating the need to render (rendering converts the video so it conforms with the Sequence settings). Or better yet, purchase, rent or borrow a DVD recorder and record directly from VHS to DVD in one step.
Good luck with your project,
-DH

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