Converting old VHS home videos to .MOV files: What peripheral device? MAC Compatible

[Scott Brady]

I am hoping someone here has solved this problem. I would like to record all of Stephanie and my old VHS home video tapes to digital, hopefully as an .MOV file. We have the first 10 years of our marriage (including our wedding) on VHS tapes. I am concerned that either the quality will fade away, or we might not be able to play them in the future.

Is there a USB peripheral that can plug into my MAC, work with iMovie (or its own software) and allow RCA connection to play and then record from VHS? I am sure there is, but any recommendation (or maybe you are done with yours, and want to sell it) would be helpful.

Looks like this one might work? DAC

Thanks,

 

[JAvendan]

I just lent my analog to digital converter box to my buddy. I think it's a Pyro A/V Link... It's been a while since I used it

I have a Mac and used it to import movies from VHS and Hi-8 to a digital format using iMovie.

Basically, connect the older device to the analog/digital converter using component cables and then connect the analog/digital converter to the Mac via FireWire (in this case), launch iMovie and capture the video stream, edit and repeat.

Whatever you use just make sure it is compatible with Mac OS and iMovie.

I prefer FireWire because it can sustain a higher rate of data.

Good luck,

Joel

 

[targa88]

Scott,
You might want to check with Dave Druck... IIRC he does all kinds of tape conversion stuff

 

[Scott Brady]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone!

Scott,
You might want to check with Dave Druck... IIRC he does all kinds of tape conversion stuff

Very true. I did consider just sending them all to someone, but the thought of losing them and there are a lot of tapes

 

[TangoBlue]

Be sure to let us know what you decided. I've got a bunch of tape I should probably convert too.

 

[pcjeeper]

I've had great luck with this:

http://www.elgato.com/elgato/na/mainmenu/products/Video-Capture/product1.en.html

I did all of my wife and I's old VHS and Beta tapes. If it doesn't handle .mov specifically, Handbrake does a great, and free, job on conversions after you import the video.

 

[ywen]

Many old DV, Digital 8 camcorders act as a D->A converter. Hook up the camcorder to you computer via firewire and the VCR to camcorder via RCA.. Load up your NLE in capture mode over firewire. Hit play on the VCR and the video will show up in your NLE for you to capture

 

[smithshane]

Many old DV, Digital 8 camcorders act as a D->A converter. Hook up the camcorder to you computer via firewire and the VCR to camcorder via RCA.. Load up your NLE in capture mode over firewire. Hit play on the VCR and the video will show up in your NLE for you to capture

That is good idea, after the videos captured, then use handbrake to convert them to mov or mp4 foramt to put onto iMovie.
Smith.