capturing vhs and importing to fcp at DVinfo.net

October 12th, 2004, 07:19 PM

hello,

i am trying to use the limited resources that i have to capture vhs footage from a vcr to my computer using my gl2. the footage will be edited in FCP and i am not sure how to go about capturing the vhs stuff.

any help?

thanks

Dave Perry · October 12th, 2004, 08:07 PM

Jerry,

unless you have something like an AJA IO to convert analog to digital, the simplest thing to do is to connect the VHS deck to the GL2 with an AV cable and record your VHS footage to a MiniDV tape then capture as usual with FCP.

Paul Figgiani · October 12th, 2004, 08:08 PM

you have a few options: Dub the VHS footage to DV [from the VHS VCR to the Camera], or if the Camera has inputs, run the audio and video through the camera and capture through firewire. Keep in mind that you will not have deck control using this option.

-paul.

Jeff Donald · October 12th, 2004, 10:17 PM

There are several moderately priced analog to digital convertors with FireWire out. Sony, Canopus and Dazzle are several that I can think of off hand.

Glenn Chan · October 12th, 2004, 11:45 PM

A:
Go from VHS to mini-DV tape.
Then capture from that mini-DV tape.
The advantage is that you can easily recreate your project by re-capturing from the mini-DV tape with exact timecode (this is for archival).

B:
Go from VHS and use "capture now" in Final Cut. Check the time limit- you can disable it or set it to however long your VHS is.
Set your camcorder to convert from analog / A/V --> DV (not the other way around, which it can also do).

Shane Ross · October 13th, 2004, 11:37 AM

The Canon cameras don't allow for the video to passthru, so the VHS must be dubbed first.

Also, Avoid Dazzle like the plague. They just plain dont' work on a mac. The Canopus ADVC-100 is the most rock solid converter out there. $269.

Jeff Donald · October 13th, 2004, 02:06 PM

I have a Dazzle at home that works with my Macs just fine and the school I teach at has several Dazzles that also work fine with the Macs.

October 23rd, 2004, 09:25 PM

sorry to bring this post back but i cannot for the life of me figure this out.

I have my gl2 with the AV in/out cords plugged into the television which is playing the vhs that i want to record and in the VCR mode of my camera nothing is happening, it is just blue.

I have tried putting the AV cords into the VCR deck and the back of the TV to no avail.

I am on a super tight deadline so I would really appreciate your help

Jeff Donald · October 23rd, 2004, 09:30 PM

Connect the AV cable to the VHS VCR video and audio Outputs and connect the other end of the cables to the video and audio inputs on your camera. Put the camera into the record mode (consult your owners manual to determine the proper buttons to push and the proper sequence.) Press play on the VHS VCR. Make sure the tape inserted into the camera is record enabled and the record tab is not in the wrong position.

October 23rd, 2004, 09:57 PM

thanks for the prompt reply jeff.
unfortunately, i could not find anything in the gl2 owners manual about how to put it into record mode. do you use a gl2?

October 12th, 2004, 07:19 PM	#1
Guest Posts: n/a	capturing vhs and importing to fcp hello, i am trying to use the limited resources that i have to capture vhs footage from a vcr to my computer using my gl2. the footage will be edited in FCP and i am not sure how to go about capturing the vhs stuff. any help? thanks

October 12th, 2004, 08:07 PM	#2
Dave Perry Major Player Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Roanoke, VA Posts: 796	Jerry, unless you have something like an AJA IO to convert analog to digital, the simplest thing to do is to connect the VHS deck to the GL2 with an AV cable and record your VHS footage to a MiniDV tape then capture as usual with FCP. __________________ Dave Perry Cinematographer LLC Director of Photography • Editor • Digital Film Production • 540.915.2752 • daveperry.net

October 12th, 2004, 10:17 PM	#4
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	There are several moderately priced analog to digital convertors with FireWire out. Sony, Canopus and Dazzle are several that I can think of off hand. __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

October 13th, 2004, 02:06 PM	#7
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	I have a Dazzle at home that works with my Macs just fine and the school I teach at has several Dazzles that also work fine with the Macs. __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

October 23rd, 2004, 09:30 PM	#9
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	Connect the AV cable to the VHS VCR video and audio Outputs and connect the other end of the cables to the video and audio inputs on your camera. Put the camera into the record mode (consult your owners manual to determine the proper buttons to push and the proper sequence.) Press play on the VHS VCR. Make sure the tape inserted into the camera is record enabled and the record tab is not in the wrong position. __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

October 12th, 2004, 08:08 PM	#3
Paul Figgiani Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: New York City Posts: 42	you have a few options: Dub the VHS footage to DV [from the VHS VCR to the Camera], or if the Camera has inputs, run the audio and video through the camera and capture through firewire. Keep in mind that you will not have deck control using this option. -paul.

October 12th, 2004, 11:45 PM	#5
Glenn Chan Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 4,750	A: Go from VHS to mini-DV tape. Then capture from that mini-DV tape. The advantage is that you can easily recreate your project by re-capturing from the mini-DV tape with exact timecode (this is for archival). B: Go from VHS and use "capture now" in Final Cut. Check the time limit- you can disable it or set it to however long your VHS is. Set your camcorder to convert from analog / A/V --> DV (not the other way around, which it can also do).

October 13th, 2004, 11:37 AM	#6
Shane Ross Major Player Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Los Angeles, USA Posts: 539	The Canon cameras don't allow for the video to passthru, so the VHS must be dubbed first. Also, Avoid Dazzle like the plague. They just plain dont' work on a mac. The Canopus ADVC-100 is the most rock solid converter out there. $269.

October 23rd, 2004, 09:25 PM	#8
Guest Posts: n/a	sorry to bring this post back but i cannot for the life of me figure this out. I have my gl2 with the AV in/out cords plugged into the television which is playing the vhs that i want to record and in the VCR mode of my camera nothing is happening, it is just blue. I have tried putting the AV cords into the VCR deck and the back of the TV to no avail. I am on a super tight deadline so I would really appreciate your help

October 23rd, 2004, 09:57 PM	#10
Guest Posts: n/a	thanks for the prompt reply jeff. unfortunately, i could not find anything in the gl2 owners manual about how to put it into record mode. do you use a gl2?