converting analog video to digital video for use in FCE

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Level 1

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converting analog video to digital video for use in FCE

Hi,

I have a bunch of VHS tapes that I would like to convert to digital, so that I can use them in FCE. Is there a way to do this that won't cost me a ton of money?

iMac, Mac OS X (10.5.2)

Posted on Jan 2, 2009 8:11 AM

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Answer 1

Jan 2, 2009 8:15 AM in response to Kerryburd

You'll need to use a qualified DV device (DV camcorder, VTR or converter). Connect the VHS playback deck to the DV device's analog inputs, then connect the DV device's Firewire output to your Mac.

-DH

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Answer 2

Jan 2, 2009 8:16 AM in response to Kerryburd

If your camcorder has Analog IN (not Out) you could play the VHS tapes into it and out by FireWire to your computer.

If it is not an expensive camera it probably won't have Analog In so you will have to buy an Analog-Digital Converter which will cost $200 upwards for a decent one that works.

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Answer 3

MartinR

Level 7

24,101 points

Jan 2, 2009 4:37 PM in response to Kerryburd

There are basically three ways to DIY this -

1 - purchase a DVD recorder, perhaps one that has both a VHS deck and a DVD recorder in the same unit. This is the easiest way to dub your VHS tapes direct to DVDs. Quick & easy, and some of these recorders are under $99. No editing, however.

2 - get an analog-digital converter like the Canopus ADVC-110. You would connect your VHS deck outputs to the converter inputs; then connect the converter to your Mac via FireWire. Then capture the video as you would from a miniDV camcorder. Runs about $230. This is my recommended way to convert VHS video for editing.

3 - use a miniDV camcorder as a converter. You will need a camcorder that supports analog-digital passthrough (most do). Connections & use would be the same as for the Canopus ADVC-110 above.

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Answer 4

Kerryburd Author

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Jan 3, 2009 7:25 AM in response to MartinR

Martin, Ian, and David,

Thanks for the responses. I have checked my camcorder's user manual, and it supports analog-digital passthrough (according to the manual). It is a Sony DCR-TRV340 Digital 8 Camcorder. I see that it has an S-Video Input by the firewire output; I assume that I can connect a VCR to the camcorder via this S-Video Input, correct? Do I just look for an adaptor that will connect the audio/video out on my VCR to the S-Video in on my camcorder - or do I need an S-Video out on a VCR to do this?

Once I have everything connected, do I open FCE & capture like I normally do when I am just capturing video the "normal" way?

Thanks for your help.....

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Answer 5

Jan 3, 2009 7:56 AM in response to Kerryburd

Yes to all the questions in the first paragraph.

To capture you will use the Easy Setup ......... DV-NTSC (or PAL) DV Converter.

Then open the capture window, start the video playing on the VTR and press Capture Now.

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Answer 6

Kerryburd Author

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Jan 3, 2009 8:51 AM in response to Ian R. Brown

So, do I need a VCR with a S-Video out or can I connect with a cord that has the basic audio/video (red/white) on one end and an S-Video in on the other? Does that question make sense?

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Answer 7

cpt97m3

Level 1

8 points

Jan 3, 2009 10:27 AM in response to Kerryburd

The red/white plugs are for Audio L/R only, not video. Composite Video would be a yellow plug. If your camcorder has a yellow composite video input, you can use that instead of S-Video. If not, you have to use the S-Video input, which is better quality anyway.

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Answer 8

Kerryburd Author

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Jan 3, 2009 1:56 PM in response to cpt97m3

My question really pertains to what I plug into the VCR. I will be using the S-Video input on the camcorder. Does the VCR have to have an S-Video output? Or may I output via the audio/video outputs on the front of the VCR (red/white & yellow)?

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Answer 9

Jan 3, 2009 2:00 PM in response to Kerryburd

If the VCR has an S-Video output, then use that. If not, use the composite (RCA) connection.

-DH

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Answer 10

Kerryburd Author

Level 1

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Jan 4, 2009 11:03 AM in response to Ian R. Brown

Hello,

I have my VCR connected to my camcorder with a S-Video cord. I have my camcorder & VCR both powered on. The camcorder is set on VCR/playback function.

On FCE, I used easy setup - for "format," I have "NTSC" selected; for "use," I have "DV-NTSC DV Converter" selected.

When I open the capture window & attempt to start the video playing on the VTR (the screen between the browser & the canvas - correct?), I get a blank screen. When I open the capture window & press "capture now," I get the following message: "! Attempt to capture video without a video device selected. Please select a video device in your capture presets and try again."

What do I do now?

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Answer 11

Jan 4, 2009 11:19 AM in response to Kerryburd

Double check the settings on the camcorder. Make sure it is in the correct mode for passing through analog signals to the digital output and make sure it is set to the proper line input. Also check the cable connections.

-DH

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Answer 12

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

152,777 points

Jan 4, 2009 11:24 AM in response to MartinR

Does FCE recognize the converter when you launch the app? Do you see the video in the capture window when you play the tape before you begin capture? Is the device set to output DV?

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Answer 13

Kerryburd Author

Level 1

0 points

Jan 4, 2009 11:41 AM in response to Tom Wolsky

Tom,

I had the S-Video connection on the VCR mistakenly plugged into S-Video in instead of S-Video out. I have fixed that mistake. Now, when I attempt to capture the analog video, I do not get the error message any more, and FCE is capturing something, but it is just a grey screen with no sound. I press esc. to stop it, and then I can play back the grey screen. My camcorder is set to A/V DV out, as the user's manual advises for passthrough. The puzzling thing to me is that on the LCD screen on the camcorder stays blue (no picture) when I press play on the VCR, even though it is connected properly via S-Video cable. I tried changing the channel on the VCR from IN1 to IN2 to DV, with no luck. Any suggestions?

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Answer 14

Jan 4, 2009 11:51 AM in response to Kerryburd

Is it possible that your camcorder needs to be in some sort of record mode in order for pass-through to function? If you're not seeing the VCR video output on the camcorder display, I can't imagine that it would reach FCE.

A separate issue, you don't mention any audio connections. The S-video cable carries only video; you need to connect audio from VCR to camcorder, as well.

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Answer 15

Kerryburd Author

Level 1

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Jan 4, 2009 12:52 PM in response to R. Mitchell Fore

Hello,

Thanks for your suggestion - I hadn't thought of that. I did just connect the audio to the VCR, and now I can hear the playback through the camcorder's audio on the LCD when I am capturing it. However, I cannot hear any audio on the captured video through FCE after I finish capturing it. Any ideas why I can't hear it? I tried placing the video footage on the timeline, and I don't see any audio underneath it, like I usually do....

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