Connect U-matic to pc

[Marc Antwerp]

Hello, I found a U-matic recorder (VO-5630) and some tapes at work. How can I connect this recorder to my laptop? What do I need? I have some experience in audio connections but these cables I have never seen. I would like to capture some old documentaries of my firm to HD.
Thanks for your help.
Marc

[smrpix]

A decent capture card, BNC->RCA adapters. Are you planning to capture timecode? Assuming HD means hard drive, not Hi Def.

[Marc Antwerp]

No timecode needed. HD = hard disk yes.
Thanks for the quick reply.
I'l try to find the card and the adapters.

Marc

[smrpix]

Try Blackmagic or Matrox on the higher-end capture cards, I'm not conversant with the more consumer-oriented stuff. Many here know a LOT about it.

The adapters should be available at any decent electronics shop, probably not at a computer store.

[Richard_G]

And in Europe we call them phono connectors, not RCA, so it is BNC to Phono that you need. Commonly used on CCTV systems so somewhere that sells them would be your best bet.

[smrpix]

And in Europe we call them phono connectors, not RCA, so it is BNC to Phono that you need. Commonly used on CCTV systems so somewhere that sells them would be your best bet.

Phono works here too, except it gets confused with 1/4" phone plugs. (inches?) And when are you guys going to learn to pronounce "Nikon" correctly?

[hech54]

Nye-Con

[Brad]

I have excess BNC->RCA adapters sitting on my desk right now. If you want a couple just PM me your address.

[Richard_G]

Phono works here too, except it gets confused with 1/4" phone plugs. (inches?) And when are you guys going to learn to pronounce "Nikon" correctly?

What is it that you call a 1/4" phone plug then? Probably when you learn to spell colour properly.......

[smrpix]

I like your way of spelling "colour" because obviously it gives you 20% more spectrum.

However, ever since that James Bond movie I am completely incapable of spelling license corectly in either language. (I was trying to spell it the British way just then -- no kidding.)

[jman98]

Probably when you learn to spell colour properly.......

Noah Webster wrote a dictionary of American English in the 1820s and he was a big supporter of spelling reform. He made some changes such as "color", "center" and others. He even proposed more that didn't catch on. But "color" is representative of the way it's pronounced in English whereas "colour" reflects the French origin of the word. Same with "center" vs. "centre". Remember, the u in colour is silent just like the d in Graceland (that's an American English joke - you have to know how Elvis pronounced the name of his home).

Phone plugs may also be called phone jack, audio jack, jack plug, stereo plug, mini-stereo, headphone jack and microphone jack along with some less common names.

I did not know that "RCA connector" was an Americanism. Interesting.

[Richard_G]

Ahh, now that makes sense. We would refer to a 1/4" jack plug, or a 3.5mm jack plug but the 1/4" version is very similar to what used to be used on the old manual telephone switchboards. I'd never thought about it but I assume that is were phone plug came from.

I think RCA connector comes from the RCA company who, I assume, were one of the first to use Phono plugs in any quantity for audio and video.

[Brad]

If you believe Wikipedia:

The name "RCA" derives from the Radio Corporation of America, which introduced the design by the early 1940s for internal connection of the pickup to the chassis in home radio-phonograph consoles. It was originally a low-cost, simple design, intended only for mating and disconnection when servicing the console. Refinement came with later designs, although they remained compatible.

[smrpix]

Ahh, now that makes sense. We would refer to a 1/4" jack plug, or a 3.5mm jack plug but the 1/4" version is very similar to what used to be used on the old manual telephone switchboards. I'd never thought about it but I assume that is were phone plug came from.

I think RCA connector comes from the RCA company who, I assume, were one of the first to use Phono plugs in any quantity for audio and video.

I think you're entirely correct in this. When you said RCA was an Americanism (I was as suprised as jman) that's immediately where my mind went too.

[loster]

3.5mm phone plugs (formally known as 1/8inch) are also known as TRS (tip ring sleeve) connectors.

[Marc Antwerp]

Thanks for the information.
So far so good: I have the converter + the right cables. The U-matic is being cleaned now. I hope my video card works well. If not I will post a new question.
Thanks again.
Marc