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[inherindian]

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[Krispy Kritter]

You can go straight from VHS to Mac.

Macrovision won't be an issue going straight to the Mac. However, since you are using a Mac, I don't have any suggestions on hardware.

[inherindian]

ww

[nic2k4]

I'd definitly avoid importing DVDs into a Mac; it's nothing but trouble. You're a Mac user so you have to get used to paying a lot for everything. There are not many video capture products available for Mac, here are a couple of the well known ones:

http://elgato.com/elgato/int/mainmenu/products.en.html

http://www.pinnaclesys.com/PublicSite/us/Products/Consumer+Products/Home+Video/Studio+...re+for+Mac.htm

[inherindian]

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[nic2k4]

The EyeTV gives you the added bonus of converting your Mac into a Tivo. The ADVC 300 claims to have video enhancement circuitry, but many devices have made similar claims and not delivered. Grass Valley is a renowned professional video equipement maker.

All are appropriate for your purpose, the question is how much you want to pay. I have seen video capture done with a $50 ADC box on a PC and thought the result looked better than the tape. Don't forget garbage in garbage out, there's only so much you can do to improve VHS video.

Also, seeing Apple is slowly abandonning Firewire, you might want to look at a USB box. Only if you will upgrade to a newer Mac. If you go with a PC you can always add a Firewire card.

I should mention if you have a DV camcorder with a firewire port you can do capture by passing the video through it. Then you only need to get a Sima GoDV box to deal with the Macrovision.

[inherindian]

-=

[yoda313]

Yes the VCR will make a huge difference.

For best quality get a SVHS vcr. They will have a svideo output and offer the best output for a vhs tape.

Though one thing to reconsider about a settop dvd recorder is you could do it in the comfort of your living room. From there you can always remaster individual discs later if you want menus and other stuff.

Just something to consider before you make your final decision. That way you could hook the dvd recorder and vcr to a normal tv and bypass the computer. You can reedit dvds later on the computer if you want things fancier than the settop can provide.

But you will probably get the most flexibility in terms of recording options by going to the computer first.

But if your destination is in fact dvd remember to record to 720x480 mpeg2. You can of course capture to dv-avi codec at 720x480 and convert to mpeg2 later if you so desire for better editing flexibility (some software programs allow recording to dv-avi. It depends on the type of hardware you use to record onto the computer - some are not capable of avi recording).

[inherindian]

oo

[yoda313]

No quality through a dvd recorder should be just fine as long as you don't try to fit too much on a disc (probably no more than two hours or so - any more and it will start to look pixilated - though everyone has different tolerance levels).

You are limited on recording dvd/vcr combos from what I am told.

ALso on settop units you will need to employ a macrovision remover device for commercial videos. Those you can find online.

Yes 720x480 is the ntsc video resoultion you will need for making US dvds (well North American and Japan really).

If you want a little more on the specifics for dvd this should help out a bit:

https://www.videohelp.com/dvd