Cheapest way to capture VHS on Mac

[chesneychrist]

Hello,

Newbie question here, what would be the cheapest way to capture VHS video from my VCR to my Powerbook (OS 10.3.3)? I know some USB and Firewire PVR capture devices will do the job but I'm looking for a cheaper way if there is one. I'm in the UK btw.

Thanks.

[Capmaster]

having a Powerbook limits your options a bit.

The absolute cheapest way would be if you already had a camcorder with analog inputs and firewire. Then you just let the camcorder act as the capture device and import the DV via the firewire port in your Powerbook. If you don't have a camcorder already, you're out of luck.

I don't know a lot about Macs, but I would venture to guess that the graphics adapter built into your laptop doesn't allow for analog capture, so you're probably going to be forced to buy a USB2 external box for MPEG2 capturing.

[cbkilner]

Since the PowerBook has no form of analog-in for video, you need to get the VHS into a format that the mac can use - either a DV file or an MPEG file...and for that you will need an external hardware converter.

There used to be an iRez PC-card capture device with S-video in, but now everything is FireWire and USB.

The cheapest way is to find a friend with capture hardware (i.e., a MiniDV with analog pass thru for you to borrow, PC with capture card for you to transfer DV files from, etc.).

[ironwood321]

Hi,
If your mac has Firewire you could use a FORMAC DV bridge i.e http://www.microwarehouse.co.uk/product.aspx?SKU=E293860

or a canopus ADVC converter or similar DV bridge device or a camera with DV out and anologue inputs like a Digital 8 or DV one.