Analog video capture in 2020

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Level 2

195 points

Analog video capture in 2020

I still capture video from analog tape. With Catalina, my workhorse Canopus AVDC 110 no longer works. So I got the Blackmagic Intensity Shuttle. That doesn't work either. Are there any affordable (under $300) analog-to-digital capture devices on the market that still work with current Macs? I'd rather not keep buying and returning them. I have a 2018 Mac mini, so ideally I'd like something that connects via Thunderbolt 3. (I haven't been able to find any, though.)

Mac mini 2018 or later

Posted on May 19, 2020 5:47 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Jay Ducharme Author

Level 2

195 points

May 20, 2020 3:10 AM in response to Alchroma

Yes. I discovered that it won’t function with Catalina. After a lot of research, it appears that the only two video capture devices that currently work are from VidBox and Elgato. I ordered the former and am keeping my fingers crossed.

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Answer 2

May 20, 2020 1:06 AM in response to Jay Ducharme

My advice is to install on a separate drive an older OS that still supports these devices.

It is only going to more difficult going forward.

But as long as you have a mac that can run High Sierra (or, say, El Capitan) you can simply boot to this system when needed.

Edit: A 2018 Mac cannot run El Capitan, of course. That was just an example. It can run High Sierra, which was the OS at the time it came out.

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Answer 3

Jay Ducharme Author

Level 2

195 points

May 20, 2020 5:03 AM in response to Alchroma

Unfortunately, the model I have is the USB model. While Blackmagic claimed it would work with Macs, that's evidently not true with Catalina. When I got the USB model, I hadn't realized they had a Thunderbolt 2 version. I was thinking of getting that one, but then I read on some forums that the TB version had issues functioning on Macs that only had TB 3. So rather than go down that same path, I ordered the VidBox.

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Answer 4

Jay Ducharme Author

Level 2

195 points

May 20, 2020 2:34 PM in response to thesurreyfriends

Correct. The device wouldn't show up in any software, not even Blackmagic's own. Evidently, the drivers (which were the latest downloaded from Blackmagic's site) didn't make a difference. I've heard from different people that it sometimes works and sometimes doesn't depending on your system. My device was the USB 3 version. Perhaps the Thunderbolt 2 version (for which I'd need an adapter cable) might work, but for how long? Since the Intensity was released in 2014, it could be reaching its end-of-life. The VidBox was just updated this year, so hopefully there won't be issues.

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Answer 5

Alchroma

Level 7

23,809 points

May 20, 2020 8:03 PM in response to Jay Ducharme

I found it is critical to set up the initial settings to match your device and inputs using the new software or it does not appear to work.

It did take me several tries to hit the right combination.

Could be your unit is simply a no go.

Al

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Answer 6

Jun 2, 2020 6:17 PM in response to Jay Ducharme

I’m in the same boat. I just got the Vidbox Hardware/software and so far not having great success. Video keeps freezing after a few minutes of VHS playback. Wish there was a converter that utilized USB-3.1 and actually worked. Have not tried Elgato yet.

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Answer 7

Alchroma

Level 7

23,809 points

Jun 2, 2020 6:22 PM in response to Marc Kramer

As a suggestion:

If you have access to a DV/HDV camera or a camera with analogue inputs.

Copy the VHS footage directly to a camera that can capture directly to FCP X.

Also QuickTime X can capture footage from tape is FCP X fails, usually timecode issues.

Al

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Answer 8

Jay Ducharme Author

Level 2

195 points

Jun 3, 2020 1:57 AM in response to Marc Kramer

The VidBox worked perfectly for me. I captured 4 hours of video from an old 8mm camcorder with no problems. But you have to use the capture software that comes with VidBox. No native Mac apps will recognize it. The VidBox software is really basic, but it did the job. After it was captured I could bring it into FCPX and tweak it.

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