VHS tapes to Mac via VCR

I just did this. Try the VCR to DVD recorders and see how that works. It may be the simplest way, but I'm afraid you won't get files that you can bring into iMovie and work on.

I used a Plextor ConvertX that I bought for $25 from a local Craig's List ad. I had to do the conversion on the Bootcamp side of my iMac. Lots of messing around. I would look at Roxio's Easy VHS to DVD for Mac. If I had it to do all over again, I'd spend the extra $ and save a lot of time.

http://www.roxio.com/enu/products/easy-vhs-to-dvd/mac/overview.html?rTrack=b_eas yvhsmac

I use the EyeTV Hybrid from El Gato to capture the VHS from the VCR to my Mac.

This will produce MPEG files.
I convert the MPEG files to Apple Intermediate Codec using a free application called MPEG Streamclip so I can edit them in iMovie.

I would not use a VCR to DVD recorder. You will have no way to improve the material. Menu designs and chapter creations are very limited. By using your Mac you will have total control of how the DVD looks and works.

Let me assume that these movies are important to you and that you want the best quality possible.

You need a device that will take audio and video and convert it to FireWire.

I tried many converters but found the Canopus ADVC300 to be the best.

With 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 09 (I have used it a few times with iMovie 09). The software that comes with the Canopus ADVC300 has some incredible filters that can _improve the picture as well as the sound_. I sometimes use it to reduce the background "hiss" found in some tapes. Well worth the price.

http://www.canopus.com/products/ADVC300/index.php

For the best quality (and easiest workflow) I would do the following.

Connect your VCR to the Canopus ADVC300. Connect the Canopus ADVC300 to your Mac with a FireWire cable. Run "Picture Controller" (that's the program that comes with the Canopus ADVC300), then run iMovie 06. Why iMovie 06?

iMovie 09 uses single-field processing. This means every other horizontal line of the video is thrown out, which reduces the sharpness of the footage.

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, same 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 08/09 is a "lossless" combination.

You can get iMovie 06 in a number of ways. You cannot download it FROM APPLE any longer. 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.

Here's what i do. It complements the other respondents:

You'll need to have a digital video camcorder. I have a 6 year old Canon ZR65C which still works great. It uses MiniDV tapes, which we're not going to use in this example. Connect the VCR using RCA (red, white, and yellow) cables to the camcorder. Mine came with the camera. Connect the camcorder to the Mac using the included FireWire cable. Turn on camera in VCR mode. Launch iMovie. Like others, I prefer importing to iMovie 06. Press play on the VCR and record on iMovie. iMovie controls the camcorder and the old VHS tape will import directly into iMovie. Its real time, so a 2 hour tape = 2 hours to record. Be sure to have lots of hard drive space. An hour of Standard definition DV uses about 13GB of hard drive space.

Be sure to connect the camcorder to the power supply so it does not go to sleep. I've digitized many VHS tapes this way. The quality of the recording is only as good as the original. Some of my tapes are 20+ years old and have deteriorated.

bill

Ziatron,

I understand the loss of quality with iMovie 09 export, but I really love its ability to scan visually through a movie to see what is included. If I digitize my old Hi8 tapes into iMovie 09 and do not edit them have I really lost anything in quality? Can other software such as Final Cut grab the video file as made by iMovie capture without loss? I am not interested in making DVDs. I like the cataloging and previewing of movies in iMovie 09 and would just as soon keep them there if I am not compromising the ability to get them into another application in the future.

Here is a [sample of the results I am getting with the EyeTV Hybrid|http://gallery.me.com/htimjohnson#104678]