Connecting a VCR to iMovie

Google VHS to Digital converter.

VHS is analog/analogue so it needs to be converted to digital before a Mac can use it.

There are a number of devices on the market but not all are compatible with Mac, so beware.

Also not all work on all OSs, again beware.

Having chosen the analog to digital converter, you then need to get the correct adaptors to go from the converter to your Mac Thunderbolt 2 port.

Google reviews on the device before going ahead.

HDMI to Thunderbolt will not work

One poster on this forum said that he successfully used the El Gato digital converter to digitize analogue video for his Mac. You might take a look at it. Here's a link:

https://www.amazon.com/Elgato-Video-Capture-Digitize-iPad/dp/B0029U2YSA

-- Rich

You might try calling Apple Support and see if the savvy techs there have any suggestions. To do that, click on the Contact Support item in the upper right hand corner of this screen and navigate to a place where you can input your telephone number.

It's an interesting question. If you have time, post back with your results.

-- Rich

I'm not sure that you can input from HDMI to a Mac via Thunderbolt 2. I would defer to someone here who had tried that.

Same with RCA to Thunderbolt 2.

This would be a question that you may be able to answer by Googling it. Sorry I can't be of more help.

-- Rich

I don't think it would make any difference where you buy the El Gato. The Amazon site has over 4000 reviews and the average rating was 4.5 stars. It might be helpful to skim through some of the reviews to see how it has worked for others and whether there were any problems. Then you can decide where to buy it.

-- Rich

Hi, SethLeavitt,

There is no HDMI input for Mac. An HDMI socket on a Mac, if it has one, is

only for output.

You will need to get adapters to go from your VCR's HDMI output to whatever

input socket that your Mac has, i.e, firewire, Thunderbolt, USB-c.

-- Rich

That would be great to report what Apple Support comes up with. It might help others who have the same issue.

-- Rich

The Elgato device that Rich has highlighted has a USB ( Type A ) output so you should be able to plug this straight into the USB port ( type A ) on your Mac. so no adaptor required.

It is where the output from the analog to digital converter ( example ADVC Canopus devices) which have a FireWire output that an adaptor from FireWire to Thunderbolt is required. If a device has FireWire output then a FireWire to USB adaptor will not work.

I am pretty sure the HDMI port on a Mac is output only, not input.