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Gear / Technical Help => Photo / Video Recording => Topic started by: setboy on May 13, 2009, 02:27:52 PM
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Ok. I got some VHS's that need to be put on to a mac. I got most everything else for this job, but i need Capturing software that works on macs, that does not cost big bucks. It dosen't have to be free, but I don't have the money to pay over $100 right now.
EDIT: to add I have been doing some searching, but so far i have not found anything that says it works with macs.
Edit #2: I think i got it figured out, but if you want to throw some names out feel free.
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iMovie
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iMovie is the answer.
The question is what kind of device do you need to go VHS > Mac? If you have camcorder, you may be able to pass through : VHS > camcorder (via s-video maybe) > Mac (via firewire).
If not, there are devices out there to play the middle man role. I just an not real up-to-speed on current offerings though.
-jay
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iMovie
Yeah that's what i figured out :-[ :P
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Canopus ADVC is a good unit.
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Canopus ADVC is a good unit.
So far it kicks butt
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Canopus ADVC is a good unit.
which model
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Canopus ADVC is a good unit.
which model
I'm using the ADVC100. I think they have a have a newer one out now.
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Depends over which input the video signal comes in ... you could use anything, FireWire, SDi via a Decklink card, S-Video ... You could also use a TV card and then use the TV card software to capture. For FW capture on the Mac use Apples free AVCVideoCap or DVHSCap tools, included in the FireWire SDK Kit. Version 22 is the last version they distributed without registration afaik. Google it.
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I've been pretty happy with this little device, the Elgato EyeTV 250 Plus (http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=eye+tv&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=17338900378773275703&ei=eAchSv6gIqfEtAPJpeX0Aw&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=5#ps-sellers). A simple piece of hardware that comes with an app which can edit and save as a number of formats.
It was originally designed to provide television on your home computer, but the coax connector also doubles as a VHS input.
There are a few tricks to editing the files, but just getting the files on your computer is a piece of cake.
The files will have an extension of ".eye", and need to be imported into something else (they suggest editing with Toast, but there are other options as well). At least while learning the app and its' features, I would strongly suggest making a duplicate of the .eye file, and tucking it away for safety, in case you need a back up. The app itself has a quick-and-dirty editor that allows you to edit and export individual tracks if desired, which works fairly well, once you get the hang of it.
There are probably some other good products out there, but this one has worked pretty well for me, so I don't mind giving it a little plug.