Analog to digital conversion hardware with FireWire output for FinalCut Express at DVinfo.net

Sulev Sepp · July 27th, 2009, 03:44 AM

Please advice.
I need to import from VHS tape to Final Cut Express ( MacPro with FireWire 400)
I tried with Elgato EyeTv Plus 250. Unfortunately EyeTV has not FireWire output. FinalCut Express can't capture via USB. I have Pinnacle MovieBox DV device which has FireWire input/output ( from 2005). It works perfect. Now I set up second workstation and looking for additional device. Modern MovieBox DV like devices haven't FireWire output.
Can somebody advice ( better is external) converter which has FireWire output and works well with FinalCut and Mac? Or some other workflow?

Thanks in advance
Sulev

John C. Plunkett · July 27th, 2009, 12:05 PM

Search for Sony dvmc-da2.

Ryan Douthit · July 27th, 2009, 12:52 PM

Canopus ADVC-110 will work great.
ADVC110

It's available at the usual places: B&H, Apple Store, etc.

We've also used a ADVC-300, but that may be overkill for you. All the Canopus boxes in this series work seamless with Macs and any program that takes Firewire DV in.

Battle Vaughan · July 27th, 2009, 12:55 PM

We hook up a VHS tape player (analog out) to a Canopus (now Grass Valley) advc-300 analog-to-digital converter, and take firewire out from the Canopus.....I don't know what brands are available where you are, but there other manufacturers, notably DataVideo, which is Japanese, I think. Of course, ours is NTSC, you would need one that matches --what, PAL? SECAM?

--Ours cost about $450 US, but there are some models in the $200US range.... Battle Vaughan / miamiherald.com video team

Ryan Douthit · July 27th, 2009, 12:57 PM

The ADVC series can handle either PAL/SECAM or NTSC

Battle Vaughan · July 27th, 2009, 01:00 PM

Thanks for calling my attention to that, Ryan. I do see a dipswitch for ntsc/pal but no SECAM, but since I will probably never encounter SECAM I won't worry...nice to realize I could handle PAL in a pinch, however! /bvaughan

Sulev Sepp · July 28th, 2009, 11:55 AM

Thank You all for advice!!!
Mostly I manage video in PAL, but universal PAL/NTSC device is even better.
Seems that Canopus ADVC-110 will work well for my purposes.
Your experience gives me confidence.

Best
Sulev

July 27th, 2009, 03:44 AM	#1
Sulev Sepp New Boot Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Tallinn, Estonia Posts: 20	Analog to digital conversion hardware with FireWire output for FinalCut Express Please advice. I need to import from VHS tape to Final Cut Express ( MacPro with FireWire 400) I tried with Elgato EyeTv Plus 250. Unfortunately EyeTV has not FireWire output. FinalCut Express can't capture via USB. I have Pinnacle MovieBox DV device which has FireWire input/output ( from 2005). It works perfect. Now I set up second workstation and looking for additional device. Modern MovieBox DV like devices haven't FireWire output. Can somebody advice ( better is external) converter which has FireWire output and works well with FinalCut and Mac? Or some other workflow? Thanks in advance Sulev

July 27th, 2009, 12:05 PM	#2
John C. Plunkett Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Jacksonville, Illinois Posts: 130	Search for Sony dvmc-da2.

July 27th, 2009, 12:52 PM	#3
Ryan Douthit Major Player Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Kirkland, WA Posts: 474	Canopus ADVC-110 will work great. ADVC110 It's available at the usual places: B&H, Apple Store, etc. We've also used a ADVC-300, but that may be overkill for you. All the Canopus boxes in this series work seamless with Macs and any program that takes Firewire DV in.

July 27th, 2009, 12:55 PM	#4
Battle Vaughan Trustee Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Miami, FL USA Posts: 1,505	We hook up a VHS tape player (analog out) to a Canopus (now Grass Valley) advc-300 analog-to-digital converter, and take firewire out from the Canopus.....I don't know what brands are available where you are, but there other manufacturers, notably DataVideo, which is Japanese, I think. Of course, ours is NTSC, you would need one that matches --what, PAL? SECAM? --Ours cost about $450 US, but there are some models in the $200US range.... Battle Vaughan / miamiherald.com video team

July 27th, 2009, 12:57 PM	#5
Ryan Douthit Major Player Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Kirkland, WA Posts: 474	The ADVC series can handle either PAL/SECAM or NTSC

July 27th, 2009, 01:00 PM	#6
Battle Vaughan Trustee Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Miami, FL USA Posts: 1,505	Thanks for calling my attention to that, Ryan. I do see a dipswitch for ntsc/pal but no SECAM, but since I will probably never encounter SECAM I won't worry...nice to realize I could handle PAL in a pinch, however! /bvaughan

July 28th, 2009, 11:55 AM	#7
Sulev Sepp New Boot Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Tallinn, Estonia Posts: 20	Thank You all for advice!!! Mostly I manage video in PAL, but universal PAL/NTSC device is even better. Seems that Canopus ADVC-110 will work well for my purposes. Your experience gives me confidence. Best Sulev