VHS to iMovie 09

I used EyeTV Hybrid to capture the VHS contents to disk. (The resulting .eyetv file plays fine within EyeTV.)
I dragged the .mpg file from within the .eyetv package into MPEG Streamclip. (The file plays fine within MPEG Streamclip at this point.)
I used MPEG Streamclip to export using QT/AIC. The audio and video are now out of sync. The audio precedes the video by about 2 seconds in the resulting .mov file. What settings should I use to avoid this during the export/conversion?
I have the latest version of QuickTime Pro. Do I still need QuickTime MPEG-2 Playback Component to make this all happen?
Thanks...

I would use better hardware.
To get your VHS video into iMovie, look at the Canopus 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 08/09 (I have used it a few times with iMovie 09).
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 and convert it to FireWire (iMovie will treat it like a camera).
http://www.canopus.com/products/ADVC300/index.php
I would use iMovie 06 with iDVD 08/09, why?
iMovie 08/09 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 '08 / 09, it gets re-rendered at 640x480 or less, and then iDVD upscales it back to 720x480. The end result is obviously not as good.
iMovie 06 and iDVD 08/09 is a "lossless" combination.

Similar Messages

DAC-100 importing VHS to imovie- SOUND?

I trying to convert my VHS to imovie, and in the imovie window, it plays(and imports) fine, even plays sound- but when I go to re-play what I just imported, there is NO sound? What gives? I can't figure it out!

Can you provide a few more details as to what you are doing, seeing and hearing???
Are you importing to the clips panel or the timeline? After you disconnect the converter, your imported footage has no sound?
Simple things first, be sure the video track check box is checked. It is located at the far right of the timeline. I imported a quicktime clip from a disk, and it had no sound after import and I discovered that the box had somehow become unchecked.
A workaround if it still doesn't have sound is to first record your VHS tape to DV using your digital camcorder and then import that into iMovie.
Good Luck, and post back if you still have problems!

Importing VHS into Imovie - file size question

Hi,
The novice is back so bear with me please.
I'm using the Canopus ADVC-55 to import a 2 hour VHS into imovie so that I can convert it to DVD in iDVD. However, the file size is so massive that its eating up my hard drive. If I get an external hard drive, can I move the imovie project I'm working on to the external drive and will I still be able to use the imovie application even if the actual application is on the main hard drive? I just figure because of file limitations when working with digital files on my hard drive, it might be more practical to get a 200gig external but I want to make sure that I can still use the imovie application from it.
Thanks.

Leslie,
If you do get an external drive, make sure it's formatted Mac OS Extended or it may not work properly with iMovie.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93296
Matt

Can no longer import from VHS to iMovie HD via Sony TRV-340E

For the last few weeks I have been successfully importing alot of my old home videos into iMovie 4.01.
The set up is a typical AV pass-through arrangement:
VHS (via component cables) to:
Sony TRV-340E (no tape inserted) (via 6-4 pin Firewire) to:
iMac G5
Then yesterday I upgraded to iMovie HD and updated straight away to 5.02.
Now when I play the tape in the VHS, it will show up on my cameras LCD screen but not on the G5.
I know this is an iMovie problem because:
If I play the VHS, and then put a tape in to the camera, then click import in iMovie, I can see that iMovie grabs a split second of video from the VHS before starting to import from the DV tape.
I hope Apple can fix this soon because I have to return both the camera and iMac soon!

Yes, some analog to DV converters don't work in iMovie HD 5.0.2 like they do in iMovie 4.0.1.
I'm not holding my breath for a fix since this has been a known issue for eight months:
http://www.sjoki.uta.fi/~shmhav/iMovieHD_bugs.html#analogDV
You can send feedback to Apple at:
http://www.apple.com/feedback/imovie.html

How can I input data from dvd and VHS to iMovie 6?

I am trying to copy excerpts from a dvd that I recorded from a commercial dvd into iMovie for inclusion in a power point presentation. With the dvd in my super drive and using the help menu procecure of 1. Choose File >Import 2. Select the file you want to import 3. Click Open. When I select the dvd icon on my desktop and click Open, I ged a drop down window for importing files for about 20 seconds, but I never have any files presented in the clips squares on iMovie. I get the same results if I drag the dvd icon to the "drag clips her to build your project" strip. Same thing if I drag the icon to the clips squares. However, I never get any data presented in the areas and the play, reverse, review clips buttons. Same thing happens if I try to transfer the file on the dvd (VIDEO_TS) to the same locations. If I try to transfer the seven sub files individually, I get--The file could not be imported: The file “Hard Drive/Volumes/B04101500/VIDEO_TS/VTS_011.VOB” can’t be imported; QuickTime couldn’t parse it: -2048--. In all these situations there is no data presented in clips or display, but a gray clip area will go blank. This dvd is about 20 minutes in length and is not broken down into scenes in a menu. I recently upgraded to iMovie 6, so I reloaded the program to no avail. I have previously used iMovie 5, but it will not load as long as '6 is loaded.
Since I also have this data on a VHS tape, I tried to recode it through an ADS Tech Pyro A/V Link converter to enter it into iMovie. In the past this was a simple procedure--connect a VCR player to the converter, connect the converter to the firewire port on the iMac, the system profiler automatically recognizes the converter, start iMovie, then Play on the VCR, and press Import on the File menu. That starts the recording in the past. Now I get another drop down window with an "open" button. However, since there is no software for the Mac with the Pyro A/V, there is nothing to open. Has iMovie 6 made these procedures obsolete?? They have worked in the past.

Hi LesToile - welcome to the forum!
It is not possible to directly import material from a DVD as you are attempting. DVD is MPEG format - iMovie is incompatible with this. In order to use it, you must firstly convert it to DV format. Have a look here:
http://danslagle.com/mac/iMovie/tips_tricks/6018.shtml
http://danslagle.com/mac/iMovie/tips_tricks/6030.shtml
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=232703&tstart=0
http://danslagle.com/mac/iMovie/tips_tricks/6010.shtml
http://www.moviecodec.com/topics/5155p2.html
http://www.sjoki.uta.fi/%7Eshmhav/SVCDon_a_Macintosh.html#edit_convertMPEG
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=267352&tstart=0
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=630709&tstart=0
I have no knowledge of your A/V Link Converter, but if you have a vidcam you can use it to record from VHS to DV tape, and thence into iMovie (there are now problems with the alternative 'pass-through' method using the camera).

Importing VHS into iMovie - Communication Error

Hi
I have just got a new iMac with iLife 08.
I am trying to import VHS tapes through a Canon camcorder into iMovie. I have done this many times before using Final Cut Pro on my old computer. My old FCP isn't compatible with OSX 10.5 so I have to use iMovie for the first time.
My problem is when I connect everything up, I get a 'communication error'. I can play the VHS and see it playing on the camcorder but it won't play on the import window in iMovie. i have tried importing it anyway and it does capture a couple of seconds and then stops.
Does anyone have any ideas?
Thanks.

I have the same problem, used the info from the above link....
Live import workaround #2: Put a tape in the camcorder and put it into CAMERA mode. Launch iMovie HD 6.0.2 -- its import mode should show the live feed from the camcorder. Remove the tape -- iMovie HD should continue to show and import live feed from the camcorder. The drawback with this approach is that it produces wear and tear to the camcorder. If you keep the tape in the camcorder, it may also go into standby mode if the tape is paused.....
But then switch from camera to play (VCR) on my canon MV500i
imac Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Importing VHS into iMovie

I just bought and hooked up a Canopus ADVC-110 between a TV/VCR combo and my computer. Several questions:
1. When I first hooked up the canopus, the iMovie project I had been working on began displaying this message when I would open the project: " The camera you have connected is a different video standard from your project. You can edit but you will not be able to capture any new clips or export to camera". It didn't seem to affect importing digital video clips or still photos, so I just continued without worry.
2. Now that I am TRYING to import VHS tape, when I am in my current project, nothing happens with I click the camera button and turn on my TV/VCR combo. I didn't know WHAT was wrong....until....
3. I opened a new blank project. Suddenly, I could import video just fine. So I thought I'd try editing the clip in the blank project and then just copying it into my current project. When I tried that I got the following message: The DV file Clip is the wrong video standard and cannot be imported into this project. What is going on!?!?
4. Lastly, I just noticed that at the top of my iMovie project it says the title and then says (PAL). Is that normal? Is that going to burn to a DVD okay? I thought North America had to be NTSC instead of PAL.
thanks for any suggestions/advice!

1. When I first hooked up the canopus, the iMovie project I had been working on began displaying this message when I would open the project: " The camera you have connected is a different video standard from your project. You can edit but you will not be able to capture any new clips or export to camera". It didn't seem to affect importing digital video clips or still photos, so I just continued without worry.
I think there are small switches (DIP-switches) on the Canopus. Make sure the switches are set to NTSC.

Conversion of VHS for iMovie use

Have some old VHS tapes of kids / wedding etc that I want to convert to DVD. I would also like to be able to use the footage in iMovie to create a couple of family DVDs. Can I use DVDs as a media source for iMovie - someone suggested using Handbrake for ripping the footage but in the FAQ on handbrake it says the output format is perhaps not suitable. Should I just convert the VHS tapes to mini DV and then run them out of my DV camera?

Yes, absolutely you should use your miniDV camcorder. Then you know the files for sure are in the right format. You can either dub from your VHS tapes onto your camcorder, then play that back into the Mac. Or if your camcorder supports pass thru analog to digital conversion, you might be able to do it in one step (i.e. play VHS tape thru camcorder right into the Mac without recording it to DV tape first.
Patrick

VHS/DVD= iMovie?

Is there any way to take footage from a DVD and import it into iMovie with no extra programs?
Is there also a way to import video from a VHS tape?

Brian:
From VHS to DVD
Give New Life to Old Movies
http://www.macworld.com/2004/05/features/fromvhstodvd/index.php
And as Lennart (local Guru of discussions) always says:
"Don't forget to read all of the pages!"
Sue

What is the best digital format from VHS to iMove?

Hello - I am getting some VHS tapes converted to digital files to edit on iMovie 11. They will be edited on a Macbook Pro 13" and it would be convenient if they could also work in FCE later on. My plan was to ask the company doing the conversion to put the files/movies on a portable hard drive, rather than DVD. And then import them or edit on iMovie. But is mpeg 4 the best end format or something else?
Thanks.
Simon

$500 -- ouch!!
Along with the new deck, I bought another brand new Sony Handycam MiniDV camcorder, because our Canon broke this summer too as well which served us very well for 10 years. It started eating tape, but we feed it new tapes every time we record; probably why it lasted so long?!? This camcorder set me back around $200. Yes, they are hard to find, but I work in the digital photo/video business, so sometimes dealers may have new old stock where you can bargain down. I was extremely lucky to had bought a new old stock from a dealer that had it but couldn't sell it. Perfect.
You're right -- tape to tape transfers is not ideal as degradation in S/N will impede on image quality. But I'm assuming the OP is simply using consumer grade VHS camcorders, so the analog to DV transfer is ok if done once. Then DV tape through Firewire is an analog to digital transfer. Once the OP has the digital copy inside the computer, it will never degrade if you make multiple copies on the hard drive.
Another solution the OP can look into is that some shops (getting rare these days) may have a Canon GL-2 on their rental pool and the OP can just use its built-in Analog to Digital (Firewire) pass through to transfer VHS analog footage directly into iMovie or FCE!
Wow, it's good to hear another person here still using DV!

Converting old VHS for iMovie

Dear all,
I am looking for a device that is able to transform my old VHS recordings for iMovie to edit and then burn on DVD with iDVD. My old miniDV camera has AV input and is able to work as a converter directly into iMovie - through the firewire - but I bought a camera for my father and I could not find any model that is able to do that. (They do not have AV input.) He needs editing because the old VHS recordings are full of useless material.
What can I do?
Laszlo

in addition to Lennart's helpful reply:
aside 'expensive' converters, another option is purchasing an EyeTV stick with analogue-IN.. you can use as converter PLUS you are able to watch and record TV.. .. and this opiton is cheaper than converter-only solutions.

What is the best device to transfer VHS to iMovie for edit

Currently have a mac pro and would like to edit vhs videos of the family, did try ezecap waste of money only worked on pc and no sound would like to copy direct to imovies

This question comes up a lot. Here is a recent post where I describe some of the options.

VHS edit in iMovie

Wasn't sure where to post this. I'd like to transfer some old home movies that are on VHS to iMovie, BUT I'd also like to be able to edit those movies (add titles, transitions, cuts, etc.). I originally purchased the Elgato Video Capture ($99) not knowing it wouldn't change the format so I could edit the video. I went to the Apple Store today and they recommended the Elgato EyeTV 250 Plus.
Has anyone used this? Will I be able to edit VHS videos in iMovie using this? Thanks in advance for the help!

I have done lots of this.
Let me assume that these movies are important to you and that you want the best quality possible.
I would not use the Elgato EyeTV 250 Plus, it is USB.
All good analog to digital video converters use Firewire. Firewire converters give much higher quality and better results. Look at the Grassvalley ADVC300. Audio and Video go in, FireWire comes out.
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 and convert it to FireWire (iMovie 06 will treat it like a camera).
http://www.grassvalley.com/products/advc300
I would use iMovie 06 with iDVD 09.
iMovie 09 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.
Your workflow is editing DV clips and making DVDs, so 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, 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 09 is a "lossless" combination.
iMovie 09 is a wonderful program assuming that you're using it for what it was designed to do, assemble videos to share on the Internet.
You can get iMovie 06 in a number of ways. You cannot download it _FROM APPLE_ any longer (it was free for a time). You can also find iMovie 06 on the iLife 06 install disc. You can buy iLife 06 on Amazon or eBay.
But be prepared to pay about double the cost of iLife 09 (but well worth every penny). Seller's are becoming aware of its value.

I have my home movies on VHS, what devices are good for putting them on iMovie, all the devices I have seen are PC only

I want to put video from VHS to iMovie what devices work with a Mac? All the ones I have seen are PC only.

Hi
There are many to chose from and at different prices and functions.
I got an CANOPUS ADVC-300 - now named Grass Valley ADVC-300 - but can only be bought secondhanded as it's discontinued.
AND - it's Expensive !
Still to me it's been of 100% value due to it's functions. It can repair broken TimeBase-Code and that means that I can import a LONG VHS tape recorded in EP-mode and with drop-outs.
Cheaper devices = Import will halt at every drop out frames AND Audio will go out of sync.
• Tedious Baby-sittings when Importing (and multiple re-starting Import)
• Audio goes out of sync. Tedious labor to by hand correct this !
Then my A/D-box also came with some rather advanced Picture Enhancing programs/settings.
So in all - I Love it.
BUT Surely there are much cheaper solutions for those that
• makes short VHS Imports
• New VHS tape Without any Drop-outs (less than a Year old)
• Patience of an Angle
OBSERVE ! - If You talk about BOUGHT VHS-tapes as from Disney - FORGET IT - NO A/D-box can break the CopyProtection. And even a theoretical discussion about this is FORBIDDEN in this Forum - as it is a GLOBAL forum and just the discussion is forbidden in countries as Germany etc.
Yours Bengt W

Importing VHS tapes w/ADVC-300 help

Please help, I'm converting a large number of VHS tapes to DVD using a ADVC-300 Analog to Digital Converter and a Sony VCR. Everything imports fine but everytime the signal hits a break in the tape (the old VHS snowstorm) iMovie stops importing. Since most of these tapes were made by my mother in law, nearly every couple minutes there is a break in the tape and I have to constantly hit import to begin again after a break.
While I enjoy being glued to 45 VHS tapes of my wive's childhood, I rather set it and forget it! It might be a function of the ADVC-300 but I was hoping there is a way to configure iMovie to import till disk full or stopped regardless of the signal coming in.
Thanks!

Hi Tom
I have an ADVC 100. I've imported VHS video through a panisonic VCR snow and all with no problems into imovie 5. The problem could be with the VCR or the ADVC 300.
A possible work around could be to set the VCR to play the video through to a mini DV tape camcorder. It should record one continueous video on a single time code. Then you should be able to import directly to iMovie -- snow and all!
It's an extra step, but you don't have to baby sit the VCR.
Good luck
Carl

VHS to iMovie 09

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