How to convert VHS to DVD using FCP 7?

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How to convert VHS to DVD using FCP 7?

Hello. For a brief, non-technical, introduction: I have dozens of family VHS tapes that I'd like to convert into a digital format where I can edit them and eventually transfer them onto an external hard drive and possibly DVDs as well. Ideally, I'd love to do all of the logging, capturing, and editing in FCP, but I am having difficulty figuring out set up and proper format conversions to obtain the best results. I am not a computer wizard, so a "Just-For-Dummies" walk through would be greatly appreciated.

My questions are:

1) What should my flowchart of devices be from VCR to FCP? (ie: converters, cables, inside FCP setup)

2) What is the best video format for VHS to digital conversion?

Here are the specs for devices I currently possess. I realize I may need to purchase more, but this is what I have to work with at the moment.

MacBook Pro: Mac OS X Version 10.6.8. | Processsor 2.4 GHz Intel Core i5 | Memory 4GB 1067 MHz DDR3
Final Cut Pro 7.0.3
VCR: Toshiba SD-v295ku (output is Red, White, Yellow RCA)
ION Video 2 PC converter: RCA cables to USB (this is already installed on my Mac and has successfully worked for video capture alone)
Sony Digital Handycam DCR-TRV330
My Passport 2TB Hard Drive

Thank you so much in advance for any help you can offer.

Final Cut Pro 7, Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Nov 8, 2013 9:36 AM

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Answer 1

RatVega™

Level 4

2,005 points

Nov 8, 2013 9:59 AM in response to Buppus

The hardware I use when I capture VHS looks like this:

VCR out via S-video (or RCA) to a Data I/O analog-to-digital converter.

Data I/O via FireWire to my Mac Pro and out to hard drive.

In the US, the most common codec is DV NTSC since DV and VHS are both SD.

Final Cut Pro needs to capture via FireWire. Your other option is a (Kona or Black Magic) capture card or to somehow capture via USB but FCP won't support it, so you're on your own there. If you can capture it, you can just import the clips into FCP like any other file.

hope this helps

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Answer 2

Nov 9, 2013 12:15 AM in response to Buppus

Buppas

Your Sony TRV 330 can operate as an analog to digital converter.See your Sony manual or download from Sony Support and look in index for "Using with analog video unit and your computer".This will be around page 74.

Make sure you follow the instructions regarding..Set A/V >DV OUT to ON.

The Sony will be outputting DV to your Mac.

Import this DV to FCP as DV and select under Audio/Video Settings> Device Control Preset =Non controllable device .

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Answer 3

Buppus Author

Level 1

0 points

Nov 9, 2013 8:24 PM in response to thesurreyfriends

Thank you so much. That actually did help! I managed to log and capture using that setup almost perfectly. The one setback was after I finished a capture, I'd get a notification/error about the audio being out of sync. When I watched that clip to check out the audio, it seemed to be out of sync by only a few seconds. Because I have so many videos, I'd like to fix this now before I have to manually lip read and sync audio myself.

Is there a way to figure out how to correctly sync audio with my current setup? A certain setting I should adjust perhaps? Thanks!

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Answer 4

Nov 10, 2013 12:58 AM in response to Buppus

Buppas

Getting out of my depth here a bit.

I do have FCP 6 but have not used it much at all.

There are many people here that are more able than me who may come to your rescue but anyway here are a few suggestions to try.

Sony can be set to one of 2 audio modes, 12bit=32kHz, or 16bit=48kHz.Ensure set to 16bit , around page 85.

Capture has to match 16bit=48kHz.

In FCP7 User Preferences >General check box "Abort capture on dropped frames.On timecode break Make New Clip ".

Also in Preferences> General I noticed this but not sure if it will help...Check box "Sync audio capture to video source if present".

Coming back to the Sony, and still stabbing in the dark, there is a Time Base Corrector (TBC) setting that you could try both on and off.

Also,do not start and stop the VHS player frequently; let it run through from start to end if you can to avoid breaks.

Another option but not ideal.

What happens when you import into iMovie, do you still get out of sync?

If you dont then you could import to iMovie and then import the DV file/files to FCP7.

This will not take up double the space as FCP7 references the files in iMovie.

Other than this you could try a "search communities" or hope for more suggestions to come in.

Good Luck.

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