VHS to FCP

Hi,
I have a old VHS tape with my grandfathers birthday, and I would like to record that onto my Mac using FCP. I also have a DSR11.
I have tried the following methods with no luck.
1) Inserted a scart adapter (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/517896-REG/GefenADA_SCART_2_SVID_S_Video_to_SCARTAdapter.html) at the back of my VHS player.
2) Switched it to input mode.
3) Used Svideo and audio to the 'Output' connections of my DSR11.
4) Use DV out to connect to my mac but no look.
Please help.

Hi -
No idea what the scart thingy is but you don't need it.
Take the analog outputs of the VHS (S-Video if you have it) and plug it into the DSR-11 analog inputs.
On the front panel of the DSR-11 switch the input to either Video or S-Video depending on if you are using composite or S-Video output from your VHS.
In FCP, open Log and Capture, and under the Capture Settings Tab, select non-controllable device.
Play the VHS and press Capture Now.
Should be good to go.
Hope this helps.

Similar Messages

VHS TO FCP TO QT NOW NEED AVI HIGH QUALITY

We have a two minute segment given to use in vhs format (poor quality) to begin with. I imported into FCP 4 and exported high qual quicktime and it plays & looks okay on both mac and pc. However, we need to insert video into powerpoint on pc. I'm having a hard time getting anything that is not pixelated and grainy. I've tried the codecs known to work on pc, cinepak & sorenson, same pitiful result. Any thoughts and/or suggestions for 3rd party products? Ideally, getting a higher quality source would be preferable but that is not an option.

For maximum compatibility MPEG1 is a good choice. Virtually anything in the world can play it. Later machines will also be able to play MPEG2 which will have better quality, but you may have trouble with sound if there is any. Beware of anything with high bit rates, particularly if it is playing back in a window on a laptop. Some will fall over, others will just freeze the laptop screen if you have an external display (projector) connected.
It will always be a compromise between quality and something that will play back on a system not designed for video (you paid a lot of money for your MAC didn't you.
Trevor

Different approach for capturing vhs to fcp

yes i know an often asked question ... i happen to have a kona 3 card but it doesn't have any analog input capabilities. so the way i've captured vhs has been to simply to run it into my mini dv camera and record dv out from the camera through firewire. i think that's how most folks do it. works fine but i'm wondering if i'm losing some quality this way. does it make sense or does anyone convert the component analog out from the vhs deck to sdi which in my case can then be captured through kona. i guess canopus, black magic, and decklink make converters that do this. would i be gaining any quality this way? thanks.

You have a grasp of the issues and no, you are not really losing anything by using the DV cam as a converter. VHS was such a sucky format to begin with, the only thing that really might help is to put a TBC between the VHS source and the A/DV converter to deal with any timing/chroma issues.
The Canopus ADVC300 has a line TBC built in which does help some. It's not as effective as a frame TBC.
x

VHS Like New

Started to transfer my old VHS into FCP and have balanced the whites and the blacks but i was wondering how i could reduce the grain from the tape, kinda would like to smooth out the picture some.

Of course, one of the problems is that standard VHS has only about 230 lines of resolution; S-VHS is capable of about 400, like Hi-8. Adding some sort of "soften" or "blur" filter (see the "blur" filter in "effects" in the FCP browser window) may make the grain less apparent, but you won't get better resolution, just a softer picture.
You might also try the BitVise compressor when preparing the video for DVD: they have filters intended for just that purpose: spatio and DVNC. Compressor 2 also has a "noise filter" which I've not tried, but may also be helpful.
You may also want to try the "frame controls" filters in Compressor 2, especially in the "deinterlace" section. See the manual for details.
Ed

Copying old VHS tapes

AAAAAARRRRRRGGGGGHHHHH!!!!
My wife volunteered me to copy her aunts crappy old VHS tapes to DVD. In order to do this, I have to capture the footage and then output it (I really should have gotten one of the stand alone recorders),
The problem is, even though I am running the VHS player through my Sony DVC deck, every time there is a hiccup in the VHS tape, FCP stops the recording! I have set the user settings to not stop on a timecode break (even though there is no timecode). I am capturing using a non-controllable device. Yet by the end of one tape, I have 20 clips, and of course, it also means I have to sit and babysit in case it stops partway through the tape. Is there any way to get around this madness!?!?!
Also, I tried capturing using Quicktimes recording feature, but this kept stopping as well!!

1
To Play back analogue video with a signal that is good enough to copy reqyuires a Time Base Corrector. This is a device that stabilises the inherent jitter caused by tape players, replacing the sync signals with good quality sync. The resultant signal is then stable enough to record.
you can buy a domestic version of this, which can be used with a DVD REcorder:
http://cpc.farnell.com/cyp/ctb100/time-base-corrector/dp/AV11954?_requestid=5518 23
there is a combined TBC and analogue video to Firewire converter which can be used to digitise the VHS for editing with Final Cut:
http://desktop.thomsongrassvalley.com/products/ADVC300/index.php
2
If you buy a Panasonic recorder you can set the firstplay to 'track' which will only playback the video content without menus.
Message was edited by: Gary Scotland

Best output to DVD

I'm capturing VHS to FCP, no editing, just DVD transfer. I'm using QT conversion to create m2v, then to DVD SP3.0.2. Upon burning, the encoding process starts, but the vob files are not included. I'm not sure what the problem is. I can use Toast as well, but the quality doesn't seem to be too good. I don't need to compress either, I'm using a dual layer recorder. thanks

Later versions of Toast have the ability to compress the video at just the rate to make it fit on the disc, which should be reasonably good quality, if you don't get carried away with how much VHS footage you're transferring.
Another way to work with DVDSP 3.02 would be to do a Build and not a burn. You can then use DVD Player to play the Video_TS folder to see how the quality is looking, and then use Toast to make a DVD-Video from Video_TS. Or you could use DVDSP to do a Format, and select the Video_TS as the source.

'Audio to Video' problem when trying to import from non-controllable device

Hello,
I am trying to import media from a VHS into FCP, using a 'Dazzle', (DAC from Data Video). In my Capture Settings, under Device Control, I selected 'Non-controllable device', and under the Capture/Input setting, I chose the default, 'DV STSC 48 khz', then did 'Capture Now'. It seemed to work fine, until about half-way through the project, I noticed that the sound did not match up to the people speaking/singing on the video. Should I change the Capture/Input setting to something else? Or, is there another setting I need to make, so that audio/video will match up? Also, should I maybe try a Batch Capture, instead of Capture Now? I just thought of that when writing this - any help would be most appreciated, thank you!
Kristina

Ooooo.... Hate to say... Dazzle just has bad memories for me. Hollywood Bridge... made by Dazzle...
Nothing but problems. Not sure if yours is the same.
Anyway to use your camera as a passthru for the VCR instead?
Still -- no guarantees sync will line up. For that you need to capture in 15 minute or less segments. Hard to do with VHS that will run for 2 hours... but it's your best bet. Join them up in post if you have to.
CaptM

HELP! Dropped Frames

I changed my audio/video settings from DV/NTSC to Uncompressed 10 bit in logging VHS into FCP 4.5 HD. I already had footage on the timeline and was told that is a big no no to change in the middle of a project. My question is, how can I get it back to where it was before without having my timeline footage go offline? I changed it back and I'm getting dropped frames during log and capture. I tried copying the clip from the timeline and opening a new project and it went offline. HELP!

Your post is a bit confusing.
I already had footage on the timeline and was told that is a big no no to change in the middle of a project.<<</div>
Change what...?
I changed it back and I'm getting dropped frames during log and capture.<<</div>
You changed 'what' back?...do you mean you changed your capture settings from 10bit, back to DV?
Please clarify your procedures.

Advice on sequence settings - frame size for VHS video in FCP

Hello,
I was hoping that I could get some advice on editing and output for video captured from VHS Tapes to ensure the best quality possible.
My current workflow to digitize the VHS tapes is:
VHS signal from JVC S7600u with TBC into ADVC 300 (no de-interlace or other filters set) into a Mac Pro via firewire. Capture preset in FCP is DV NTSC 48khz.
Once in FCP - the captured VHS video frame size is 720 X 480, Vid rate is 29.97, pixel aspect is NTSC-CCIR 601 and field dominance is lower (even)
My questions are:
If my final destination is for You Tube sharing , are these the best sequence/ frame size settings or should I convert the sequence frame size to 640 X 480, or should I leave at 720 X 480 while working in FCP and then output to Compressor and select the H264 you tube sharing video setting and change the frame size to 640 X 480?
Should I de- interlace for internet/youtube destination?
Should I de-interlace for DVD/TV destination?
If I want to burn the finished project to DVD and watch the video on a progressive montitor/ TV screen, what would be the best settings/frame size for that?
If any of you out there have experience with editing vcr/analog video in FCP and have a good workflow to ensure best quality, I would really appreciate any advice/suggestions.
Thanks in advance.

Digitize to 720X480 frame size in FCP. In compressor, your YouTube preset will automatically deinterlace and a square pixel aspect ratio.No deinterlacing for DVD.
Russ

How to convert VHS to DVD using FCP 7?

Hello. For a brief, non-technical, introduction: I have dozens of family VHS tapes that I'd like to convert into a digital format where I can edit them and eventually transfer them onto an external hard drive and possibly DVDs as well. Ideally, I'd love to do all of the logging, capturing, and editing in FCP, but I am having difficulty figuring out set up and proper format conversions to obtain the best results. I am not a computer wizard, so a "Just-For-Dummies" walk through would be greatly appreciated.
My questions are:
1) What should my flowchart of devices be from VCR to FCP? (ie: converters, cables, inside FCP setup)
2) What is the best video format for VHS to digital conversion?
Here are the specs for devices I currently possess. I realize I may need to purchase more, but this is what I have to work with at the moment.
MacBook Pro: Mac OS X Version 10.6.8. | Processsor 2.4 GHz Intel Core i5 | Memory 4GB 1067 MHz DDR3
Final Cut Pro 7.0.3
VCR: Toshiba SD-v295ku (output is Red, White, Yellow RCA)
ION Video 2 PC converter: RCA cables to USB (this is already installed on my Mac and has successfully worked for video capture alone)
Sony Digital Handycam DCR-TRV330
My Passport 2TB Hard Drive
Thank you so much in advance for any help you can offer.

Buppas
Getting out of my depth here a bit.
I do have FCP 6 but have not used it much at all.
There are many people here that are more able than me who may come to your rescue but anyway here are a few suggestions to try.
Sony can be set to one of 2 audio modes, 12bit=32kHz, or 16bit=48kHz.Ensure set to 16bit , around page 85.
Capture has to match 16bit=48kHz.
In FCP7 User Preferences >General check box "Abort capture on dropped frames.On timecode break Make New Clip ".
Also in Preferences> General I noticed this but not sure if it will help...Check box "Sync audio capture to video source if present".
Coming back to the Sony, and still stabbing in the dark, there is a Time Base Corrector (TBC) setting that you could try both on and off.
Also,do not start and stop the VHS player frequently; let it run through from start to end if you can to avoid breaks.
Another option but not ideal.
What happens when you import into iMovie, do you still get out of sync?
If you dont then you could import to iMovie and then import the DV file/files to FCP7.
This will not take up double the space as FCP7 references the files in iMovie.
Other than this you could try a "search communities" or hope for more suggestions to come in.
Good Luck.

Help with capturing VHS onto the FCP drive

Hello, I'm a new (novice) G-5 FCP user and I'm trying to attempt to capture video through my VHS player (from the VHS Tape) and dub it into my new Panasonic PVGS31 mini dv camera, or if possible, bypass the dubbing to mini dv and capture the video straight into the G-5 using the dv camera. I tried to connect the av adapter to the back of the VCR, but no luck...can anyone advise on what to do. I keep spending more and more money at the dubbing house putting VHS onto mini dv and that's got to stop.
Thank you!!
G-5 2.7 Mac OS X (10.4.5)

First off, make sure you're using the correct cable(s) to connect the VHS VCR to your camcorder and that you've connected to the correct outputs on the VCR as well as the right inputs on your camcorder. I know its a simple thing, but sometimes its easy to get the INs and OUTs crossed up.
Next, make sure your camcorder is set for the proper line input. Usually its a menu setting while in VTR mode. Now here's the important part; if your camcorder can pass through an analog signal to its digital output, you should be able to capture directly with FCP without dubbing to tape first. But be aware that not all camcorders have this capability. If yours doesn't, just go ahead and dub to DV tape first then capture the new DV tape with FCP.
Of course, you'll need to have the Firewire port of your camcorder connected to your Mac, and assuming your camcorder is compatible with FCP you should be good to go.
I tried to connect the av adapter to the back of the VCR<<</div>
What exactly is this "AV Adapter" you're referring to? Most all VCRs will have an RCA output jack for video and one (mono) or two (stereo) for audio. You connect these to your camcorder's line input jacks.
-DH

Capturing VHS through DV cam to FCP - Audio clipping!!

Hey all,
I'm capturing a VHS through my DV cam (it has analogue to digital version) and when it comes into FCP the audio is clipping (going above 0db)
Is there anyway to lower the input volume?
Thankyou
Paul

The camera doesn't let you change the input volume
What I did was:
Made the VIDEO ONLY go from VCR > DV CAM > MAC
But made the audio go to VCR > PC LINE IN > PC LINE OUT > DV CAM > MAC
When the audio came through my PC - I lowered the LINE IN volume so on the FCP audio level meters the audio peaked at -6dbs.
Not a bad idea hey
Lucky I had all the cables and connectors laying around.

Capturing a VHS tape into FCP

Hello
I have a short VHS tape I need to get into FCP-6 and onto a DVD. I have my old Canopus ADVC-100 so I know the hardware.
My question is can I record directly to the timeline or do I need to log and capture? Reading the manual says something about 'capture now' to capture the entire tape.
Do I just connect my VHS player to the ADVC FW into the MAc Pro and go into FCP?
Thanks
Allen

Yes, you use the NTSC preset... I think you could also use Apple Pro Res as the compressor... it will look slightly better then NTSC DV... You simply Log and Capture... as you mentioned, just hit Capture now then hit Play on your VCR....
I do suggest though not capturing the entire tape in one session. Incase there is a glitch and you waste 45 minutes of recording... divide it into 15 minutes stretches. (I am speaking of experience)...

Maximizing VHS quality importing to FCP

Hi.
I have some old footage shot in SP mode on a full-size VHS camcorder, and I'd like to edit it in FCP. I've done a lot of searching online, but not sure that I have all of the facts straight on VCRs.
First, regarding play heads. What I've read suggests that VCRs featuring 4 heads / 6 heads / 19 micron heads are all designed to perform better with tapes recorded at slower speeds, or to improve the picture during fast-forward and pause. With my tapes being recorded in SP, will I get better results if I go out and buy a 4-head VCR, or is my plain old 2 head VCR going to work just as well?
Second, regarding outputs. I have the ability to import uncompressed SD video thru my BlackMagic Intensity Pro card and breakout cable. I know that component (Y/Pb/Pr) outputs offer the best quality, followed by S-Video (Y/C), followed by composite (single RCA). I can see how that comes into play when connecting a VCR to a newer display, but in my case, does the type of output becoming meaningless, since the camera these tapes were shot with pre-dates component and S-Video? In other words, even if I get the correct machine / cables / adapters to dub using component outputs, it won't turn out any better than using composite, because the original recording was not encoded in a way to allow the video channel to be separated. Is that a correct assessment?
Thanks for your input!
Fred

Regarding VHS playback heads. No matter what deck or number of total heads, only two are used during normal playback; one for the odd fields and one for the even fields. Any other video heads a deck might have are only used during special playback modes such as pause or fast play (forward and reverse). Other (non-video) heads are used for audio (linear and HiFi) and control track.
So-called "pro" VHS decks had 21 micron heads (as I recall), while consumer decks had 19 micron heads. Either will work.
About the best thing you can do for old analog footage is to route the signal through a TBC to correct playback timing errors. Preferably a full frame TBC - but those are rare and expensive. Most TBCs will only correct the first few lines.
As for output; with VHS only having the capacity of recording about 240 lines of resolution, I doubt you'd see too much improvement using Y/C or component cabling over composite. Just keep your cables lengths short enough so you don't introduce any further Y/C delay.
-DH

Converting footage from vhs for use in FCP

Got some old VHS tapes that I want to get over to a digital format.
I know someone with the gear to convert VHS to DVD, but what I really want is to get the data in DV format on my Mac/FCP and this guy uses PC.
I have an old VHS player, but no real gear, cables etc.
What is the best option here? I'm fairly well versed in FCP but not so much on the data conversion side.
Thanks

so maybe I'll try that first. They've already been
converted once from 8mm tape to VHS, so I really
don't want to convert them too many more times if I
can help it...<
But the 8mm tapes are gone, yes?
Someday the VHS copies will not longer work. </div>
I know, that is why I am trying to get it off the VHS tapes and into DV (for long term storage) and DVD (for short term storage/playback).
No, the 8mm (not film, but the Sony tape format) are still around, but my dad's old video camera is on it's last legs and he converted them to VHS so I could play them (even though I haven't had a VHS player for years - but I managed to get one though).
In my above statement, just meant that I was looking for the path of least resistance (least amount of conversions) to get the tape into the Digital Age.
Thanks!

VHS to FCP

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for