Recording VHS tapes to hard disc

[JamesB]

Does anyone know of a cheap solution (hardware / software) I can use to copy a couple of VHS tapes I have to my hard drive? I'm using a PowerBook G3 (firewire).

Presumably just a cheap video in device and some software? Any ideas?

Thanks.

 

[hazmat]

Not sure if you have a MiniDV camera or at least access to one, but I got VHS to my Mac by running it from the VCR to the MiniDV camera, then from the camera into the Mac via Firewire. It was easy, though of course more time-consuming due to the middle-man, though I would think there is no loss of quality since you are going analog to digital to digital.

 

[gatorparrots]

Consider an "Analog to DV Converter"

These external "boxes" enable you to plug your analog video and audio into them and output DV video to your computer via a Firewire cable. Likewise, after you have finished editing your video, you can output it back through the converter and onto whatever analog video tape format you use.

* Dazzle Hollywood DV-Bridge $275
http://www.dazzle.com/products/hw_bridge.html
* Formac Studio DV $399
http://www.formac.com/html/shopformac.html?cid=shop_products_studio

 

[Sighter]

I would defenatly transfert it to DV Cam first.
the major reason for this is that when you do so,
you create a Time Code wich is necessary for good editing
using FCP or Premiere...

if you just consider getting the full VHS and its weight onto
your HD then its true that the Dazzle will be a good choice.

But dont forget 5 mins= 1Gb ( about )

-Sighter