> From: Stephen Chape <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > I am fairly certain that by connecting a VHS Player to a Digital > Camcorder and then the Camcorder to the Mac (using firewire) you can > download video directly to iMovie. > > So the Camcorder becomes (in effect) an analogue to digital converter. > Perhaps a more experienced WAMUG member can back me up or correct (if > necessary) me on this. > > On 14/11/2004, at 11:29 PM, Greg Satti wrote: > >> Hi all, >> >> Just wondering if anyone has any recommendations about video editing >> hardware/software to transfer VHS to Mac via firewire/usb. Any good >> and/or >> bad reports greatly appreciated - cheers.
As has been mentioned on a number of previous occasions on this list, the easiest and cheapest solution software-wise is iMovie (and iDVD if you wish to output to DVD). Hardware-wise, there are a number of options including one new one just released yesterday: - Just released ConvertX Plexor USB 2.0 analog video TV tuner and PVR. It also allows you to plug a VCR or other video source in to capture from at up to 720x480. I haven't used this yet and haven't seen any reviews, but it looks like a reasonable option if you don't already have a DV camera: <http://elgato.com/index.php?file=products_convertx&PHPSESSID=680db61c9722da b60667d3a65ed7dd9e> US$229 The EyeTV software provides basic video editing or you can use Quicktime Pro or import (convert) into iMovie. <http://www.insanely-great.com/news.php?id=4016> - Alchemy TV also does the TV tuner thing and captures full screen, full motion analog video. This is a PCI card so you need a Mac with PCI slots (PowerMac G4 or G5) We've had good results with several of these cards. This is probably the cheapest option at Aus$215 for high quality analog video capture http://miglia.com/products/video/alchemytvdvr/index.html - DV video camera acting as an analog to DV converter (as Stephen describes above). I've used this many times quite successfully. Just make sure the camcorder is recent enough to support AV input. Our old Sony DCR-TRV7 camcorder doesn't and neither do camcorders sold in Europe (due to legislation banning the feature I believe! This has I think (hope!) changed in recent years) - Analog-Firewire video converters. The Canopus ADVC-100 series has worked well for us http://www.canopus-aust.com/AU/products/ADVC-100/pm_advc-100.asp Aus$650 as has the Miglia Directors Cut http://miglia.com/products/video/director2/index.html - The cheapest option is various USB v1.0 video capture dongles but they only capture at quarter screen resolution so I don't recommend them. We do have a number of Mac OS X compatible XLR8 Interview USB v1.0 video capture interfaces (Aus$85 if I recall) and use them successfully for some low-end tasks. -Mart -------------------------------------- Martin Hill mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] homepages: http://mart.ozmac.com Mb: 0417-967-969 hm: (08)9314-5242
