FCPX

Pass Through in video speak means that the signals (vanda; video and audio) pass through a chain of devices without recording midstream as in a DV copy, then play the DV tape into FCP X for capture.

The advantage of a DV copy is that TIMECODE is written continuously with no breaks. FCP X captures well.

The disadvantage is double handling/time.

Using the Pass Through method you only need to play the VHS tape but the disadvantage is no timecode.

That's why legacy FCPro had a NON-Controllable setting, it didn't require timecode.

Using FCP X there is NO non-controllable setting, timecode is required either on the tape or from a timecode generating device along with the vanda signals.

The nearest thing you can get with your current equipment is to use the QuickTime Player X as Luis suggested.

It is not finicky regarding timecode, so it's you best shot.

Using Catalina there are a few caveats.

First, FCP X requires permission to use drive space, this is done through the System Settings>Security>Privacy>Full Disc Access:

Also QuickTime Player should be set to Maximum that will create ProRes files that FCP X likes for editing:

Once you capture to QuickTime the the ProRes files are easily Imported to FCP X without doubling drive space.

You tell FCP X to "Leave Files in Place" rather than Copy in the Import window, this creates SymLinks:

Try a short test to get a Work Flow going.

Once the Work Flow is established you know it will work and there is no wasted time with dodgy footage.

Al

I would use the older Mac to transfer the tapes, and then bring the files over to the new iMac for editing.

With a 2017 iMac you need not one but two adapters: TB3->TB2 and TB2->Firewire.

It may work but the potential for something to go wrong increases. Not sure if it is worth spending the money on these two adapters unless you are sure it will work.

Regardless of the above: FCP X may not be able to import from this, but Quicktime Player might.

FCP X import from tape requires a continuous timecode, which VHS does not have; unless the converter is able to generate timecode on the fly, this won't import into FCP X.

If all the above does not work for you, you may want to try this.

""I can use the old Mac Pro to transfer in the material for VHS and produce it in QT then transfer it to FCPX in the iMac. What I'm wondering is, can I in some way transfer the material straight into FCPX without the original transfer in to the older machine?""

Not straight into FCPX, but maybe straight into your newer Mac.

If you connect your new Mac in Target Disk Mode to your older Mac, then your older Mac should see your new Mac as an external drive.

If you are not familiar with Target Disk Mode there is plenty of info out there.

Firstly you will most likely need the cables that Luis mentioned above plus the appropriate FireWire cable.

You should be able to capture your tape using the old Mac with FCP 6 or 7 (or QT 7 Pro, which I assume you have), and select the new Mac ( in target disk mode) as the destination drive for the capture.

After then coming out of Target Disk Mode you would import these clips into FCPX by following the advice from Alchroma and "Leave Files In Place".

Is your S-VHS machine Time Base Corrected?

To ensure smoother capture using FCPro 6/7 or FCP X it may be worth testing a copy to DV tape on your DSR11.

This will give the DV tape contiguous timecode that is vital for a "hiccup" free capture.

Regards the newer Mac: the adapter setup will work as Luis explained if you use "pass through".

Al

I have a similar 2017 iMac but on the rare occasions I need to capture VHS I use my 2012 Mac mini and an AV-DV converter to capture the video with FCP X on that machine.

The video is captured directly onto a USB 3.0 HDD which can then be plugged straight into the iMac for editing in FCP X.

You don't say whether you have already got FCP X?

If not, you could edit your VHS conversions perfectly well using iMovie . . . unless there is some specialist feature you require that is only available in FCP X.

Luis has told you that you need the 2 connectors to enable a FireWire connection.

This should work but cannot be guaranteed.

Apple is not concerned with VHS . . . it even ditched DVDs many years ago considering that it was an obsolete format.

Apple looks to the future and considers the past to be dead . . . planned obsolescence.

Olespice wrote:

After much difficulty with FCP6 and 7

As I recall you had to setup the legacy FCPro to capture from a NON-Controllable device (pretty sure there was a preset for this) and set an appropriate amount of disc space on the destination drive for the amount of incoming VHS in your case.

This may assist you with the older method of capture if the FCP X method does not work for you.

Al

When you say waiting, do you mean you purchased those two adapters and are waiting for them to arrive?

That's the only way, AFAIK.

In case of doubt:

https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MMEL2AM/A/thunderbolt-3-usb-c-to-thunderbolt-2-adapter?fnode=88af5e86ab1f01b691789f5a3ff83b1be2a4c6ffa3cb91d246bfb1ddddd92d2c066edb52481b66b87b8957ba637bc3bc1e32512a948fd85d7416373aafcfa6d016154972cf6290d95fd8d26b704a5504bf1cf8760c096b35a9a51e5a61e7216eb56b0d622893f338210b0f397cffba9d

https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MD464LL/A/apple-thunderbolt-to-firewire-adapter?fnode=a4ff844757685fe6c13a0d7de2fcc96c515a27fe113a278dbae44ed1ac2f387c3f2add8599363e8c1eb73e2f01d7ee9463f9977d80d28f261b90afe6f45c1d7a21ae0389b93dd9fbaa28cd03a098fb295ae3b8a8b6f0b0e01eea7510e5c73de25a478c1bf7f98268cd5dfa54562cec26

Could do with some clarification here.

"It does not see my latest iMac."

How are you connecting the 2 Macs together, what cables are you using? Under what process does the MACPRO not see the iMac. Are you referring to Target Disk Mode here, if not what?

I assume your comment about "outdated" male ends of FireWire cable are to do with the FireWire 400 6 pin connector and that you are waiting delivery of the 800 , 9 pin connector. Is this correct?

We don't know what FireWire cables you have so the terms "outdated" are not very precise.

I can look up details of ports on the MACPRO but not on the Lacie as I do not know the model that you have.

Can you give details of the cables/ adaptors that you are waiting for in order to connect the output of the DSR11 ( FW 4 pin ?) to your 2017 iMac? Are these actually different to the ones that Luis posted?

As you are starting with a 4 pin FireWire port on the DSR11 and ending up at the iMac with a USB-c port what cables are you proposing to use?

If you don't give all the information that you have, then we don't have that information.

Let us just remind ourselves where all this started and what was originally posted.

""After much difficulty with FCP6 and 7 Would like to use VHS editing in FCP X, will someone help here please?

I'm running Catalina in a2017 iMac 27""