How To Convert VHS Camera to Digital

Question

How To Convert VHS Camera to Digital

I have an old tape camera that I would like to convert all of my tapes to digital so I can edit them later. I have the camera which still functions perfectly. I have a ton of tapes I just need in a video file. It doesn't necessarily need to be done in iMovie. I do not have a analog to digital converter and I am not looking to buy one. Is converting these tapes possible? How? It has a mini USB along with a Mini FireWire. I only have a USB cable but I could use a FireWire if necessary. I have an iMac that I would like to transfer all of the files to. I need the quickest way to get all of this done.

Thank You! 🙂

Posted on Jul 18, 2011 2:56 PM

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Answer 1

Klaus1

Level 9

52,873 points

Jul 18, 2011 4:02 PM in response to Cole Bergmann

I do not have a analog to digital converter and I am not looking to buy one.

Then abandon the plan!

There is no other way of doing it!

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Answer 2

Jul 18, 2011 6:09 PM in response to Cole Bergmann

I have never seen a VHS camera with FireWire, but if you have one, you can get a FireWire Cable and import directly.

I would check your manual for details

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Answer 3

Ziatron

Level 5

4,214 points

Jul 18, 2011 8:26 PM in response to Cole Bergmann

For maximum quality here is my procedure: ADVC300 > iMovie 06 > iDVD 11

I do not have a analog to digital converter and I am not looking to buy one.

Well, start looking here.

http://www.grassvalley.com/products/advc300

I've played around with countless other conversion systems, ranging in price from $79 to $399. Short verison, this is the ONLY unit to own. No dropped frames at all, even with questionable quality tapes, no jitter, great color, excellent sound quality. Zero setup with iMovie 06 and iDVD 09/11.

This is a prosumer deck. The time code function is alone worth the price if you have old analog footage. Absolutely NO "Out Of Sync" audio.

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Answer 4

Jul 18, 2011 8:29 PM in response to AppleMan1958

Mine does have FireWire. I will try that tomorrow when I get a FireWire cable. Thanks for your help!

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Answer 5

Klaus1

Level 9

52,873 points

Jul 19, 2011 1:58 AM in response to AppleMan1958

AppleMan1958 wrote:

I have never seen a VHS camera with FireWire, but if you have one, you can get a FireWire Cable and import directly.

How would that digitize the video?

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Answer 6

bnn

Level 2

185 points

Jul 19, 2011 4:51 AM in response to Cole Bergmann

I did this for a friend using my Canon HV20 camcorder, and an old vhs tape player. The canon Manual had a section on doing exactly what you want, but I don't have it now.

If you have the manual for the camcorder, check and see if it allows for analog to digital conversion.

Hugh

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