Transfer video to iMac

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Level 1

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Transfer video to iMac

I want to transfer video stuff from an old VCR player with RCA composite/S-video output to my 21.5" iMac. The User Guide says the Mini-Display Port only accepts input on the 27" model, so the only option I can find is this adapter:

http://www.cooldrives.com/macosxusb20v.html

However, it seems that the manufacturer has legal issues and the product is no longer available. Two questions:

a) Is a USB/RCA-type adapter the only way to go? If so,
b) What is a reliable (and available!) model?

Many thanks.

iMac 21.5, Mac OS X (10.6)

Posted on Dec 6, 2009 4:40 AM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Sascha H-K

Level 2

330 points

Dec 6, 2009 5:12 AM in response to bagehot

i use this:
http://www.macitynet.it/immagini/test/migliascart/

but i dont knew if its still available ..
maybe you can contact the company, its uk.

its a vcr to mac hardware decoder.

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Answer 2

Ben Furuta

Level 4

1,173 points

Dec 6, 2009 6:53 AM in response to bagehot

For what it's worth --

Not sure about the new iMacs but generally speaking, you need to send your video signal from the VCR to a converter of some sort and then into the MAC via Firewire. Canopus makes a converter and many Video cams will also accept a VCR connection and thence into the Mac. I have a early 2009 iMac and it will work that way. I am not sure with the ability of the iMacs through iMovie now to accept video recorded on SD card, etc. through the USB port whether this is the only way to transfer video from a VCR.

Maybe this will help

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Answer 3

Ben Furuta

Level 4

1,173 points

Dec 6, 2009 7:50 AM in response to Ben Furuta

Just checked my set up and no problems using a Canon Vixia HV30 which uses DV tapes. I put an old Video cassette into an equally old VCR, connected the VCR to my Video Cam, the Cam to my iMac via Firewire. I was able to then play the tape in the VCR, run it through the Camera right into iMovie.

BF

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Answer 4

den.thed

Level 9

77,500 points

Dec 6, 2009 8:12 AM in response to bagehot

Hello bagehot

a) Yes, that or a more expensive FireWire converter device.

b) There are 3 below that I know of.

[Elgato Video Capture|http://eshop.macsales.com/item/ElGato/10020840>
[ProView USB - USB Video Capture for Mac|http://daystar-store.com/xlr8proviewusbfullscreenvideocapturepackageforusb2 0.aspx]
[Pinnacle™ Video Capture for Mac|http://www.pinnaclesys.com/PublicSite/us/Products/Consumer Products/Home+Video/Studio+Family/Video+Capture+forMac.htm]

Dennis

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Answer 5

bagehot Author

Level 1

0 points

Dec 7, 2009 5:52 AM in response to bagehot

Appreciate all the helpful suggestions. The Director's Cut and Canopus hardware is just too expensive - $200 and up - and I don't have a video camera, so I'll go with a RCA-to-USB adapter. The suggested models seem a bit pricey, so I'm going to try this:

http://www.dooyoo.co.uk/web-cam/belkin-usb-videobus/

If the quality isn't great, maybe I'll have to trade up.

Thanks again, all.

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