Help: Convert 8mm tape to dvd and edit with imovie

Please help. I would like to convert my 8 mm tapes to dvd and edit them using imovie. I have the original camcorder that captured the video and it still works. (The camcorder is a Fisher Camcorder-8 model FVC-801 circa 1987). It says digital on the camera so I think the videos may already be in some sort of digital. I also have a new macbook and it only has usb ports not firewire. To play the video on the tv the camera came with a RF Adaptor and all i do is plug the adaptor into the camera and the yellow, red, and white cords into the tv. I have done a bunch of research and it seems that I will need some sort of converter. Can someone please tell me what kind of convert, which brand I should buy, and how the process works (ie what gets plugged into what, etc) Thank You.

Macbook, Mac OS X (10.6.4)

Posted on Sep 4, 2010 7:22 AM

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1 reply

Sep 4, 2010 7:26 AM in response to ktb4444

If you want to edit the footage, I'd recommend to NOT put them on DVD first. That will only compress the footage heavily ... then you'll have to uncompress to convert them into a format that iMovie works with natively.

Instead, capture the footage by playing through a qualified DV device (DV camcorder, VTR or converter) and capture directly into iMovie for editing.

Once you're done with the edit, that's when you'd export for DVD for final delivery.

-DH

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Help: Convert 8mm tape to dvd and edit with imovie

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