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beginner · 08-31-2009

Looking for some help with basic questions. Two goals: (1) convert all of my VHS-C and VHS home movies to a digital format. (2) upload my mini-DVDs recorded on my Sony Handycam into iMovie.

Regarding the first, I've read about the Elgato Video Capture. My beginner’s guess is that I could (a) use this product to load old VHS-C and VHS video into iMovie on my Mac (which I have yet to use); (b) edit in iMovie; and (c) burn the edited or unedited version on to a DVD for long term storage. Am I right about the above? Would really appreciate input. Also, how does this compare to products like the ADVC video converter?

Regarding the second goal, I am completely stymied. First, my Handycam came with a mini-B to USB cable. Despite what more than one Apple Store tech has said, I cannot load into iMovie without a Firewire cable. AND it appears that a mini-B to Firewire cable does not exist anywhere in the universe. Nor can I insert the miniDVD into the Mac because it has a slot entry not a tray. It appears that I am screwed. Ideas?

Beginner

**bendrucker** · 08-31-2009

As far as I know, the first situation will work so long as you have a VHS and VHS-C player around.

You're basically screwed when it comes to mini-DVDs. This is why I never recommend mini-DVD camcorders. Ever. It's difficult to get the video off, and when you do, it's already encoded in MPEG-2 so when you edit it you lose a lot of quality. You may just have to capture the video from an analog output via the Elgato system. Crappy solution, but there's little else you can do.

beginner · 09-10-2009

Thanks for the reality check. So stay away from mini-DVD camcorders... Elgato seems like a reasonable enough solution though.

JeremyK · 09-17-2009

Surely, if you line up the mini DVD just in the middle, surely it would go in properly...

I think Apple didnt think the slot loading drives through... Oh well...

iMovie should let you use USB, but it will take a while... I use my Mums video camera and that often connects over USB.

EDIT: One thing you could do, find/rent/borrow/buy a computer that has a normal disk tray and bluetooth... Like a Dell or something will do the job... Then get the files off, and bluetooth them to your mac

**bendrucker** · 09-17-2009

Quote:

Surely, if you line up the mini DVD just in the middle, surely it would go in properly...

I think Apple didnt think the slot loading drives through... Oh well...

Absolutely not. beginner, please don't try this. It is physically impossible for disc smaller than a standard DVD to go in a slot loading drive. Apple made the decision to have slot loading drives because mini-DVDs aren't a major market, and I think it made the right choice.

JeremyK · 09-18-2009

Is it possible to get external disk tray drives?

**bendrucker** · 09-18-2009

Maybe. I've never seen one, but I'm sure they're out there.

08-31-2009	#2 (permalink)
bendrucker Assistant Store Manager Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: New Jersey Posts: 2,654	As far as I know, the first situation will work so long as you have a VHS and VHS-C player around. You're basically screwed when it comes to mini-DVDs. This is why I never recommend mini-DVD camcorders. Ever. It's difficult to get the video off, and when you do, it's already encoded in MPEG-2 so when you edit it you lose a lot of quality. You may just have to capture the video from an analog output via the Elgato system. Crappy solution, but there's little else you can do. __________________ iMac Intel Core Duo 17" 1.83Ghz, 2GB Crucial RAM \| iPhone 3GS (16GB) Twitter \| Business Twitter \| Maplewood, New Jersey Professional Photographer: Ben Drucker Photography

09-17-2009	#4 (permalink)
JeremyK Personal Shopping Specialist Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 217	Surely, if you line up the mini DVD just in the middle, surely it would go in properly... I think Apple didnt think the slot loading drives through... Oh well... iMovie should let you use USB, but it will take a while... I use my Mums video camera and that often connects over USB. EDIT: One thing you could do, find/rent/borrow/buy a computer that has a normal disk tray and bluetooth... Like a Dell or something will do the job... Then get the files off, and bluetooth them to your mac __________________ Once you go mac, you never go back! My macs: Aluminum MacBook, iPhone 3G 16GB, iPod Nano (5th Gen. Aluminum).

09-18-2009	#6 (permalink)
JeremyK Personal Shopping Specialist Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 217	Is it possible to get external disk tray drives? __________________ Once you go mac, you never go back! My macs: Aluminum MacBook, iPhone 3G 16GB, iPod Nano (5th Gen. Aluminum).

09-18-2009	#7 (permalink)
bendrucker Assistant Store Manager Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: New Jersey Posts: 2,654	Maybe. I've never seen one, but I'm sure they're out there. __________________ iMac Intel Core Duo 17" 1.83Ghz, 2GB Crucial RAM \| iPhone 3GS (16GB) Twitter \| Business Twitter \| Maplewood, New Jersey Professional Photographer: Ben Drucker Photography

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08-31-2009	#1 (permalink)
beginner Operator Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 2	Looking for some help with basic questions. Two goals: (1) convert all of my VHS-C and VHS home movies to a digital format. (2) upload my mini-DVDs recorded on my Sony Handycam into iMovie. Regarding the first, I've read about the Elgato Video Capture. My beginner’s guess is that I could (a) use this product to load old VHS-C and VHS video into iMovie on my Mac (which I have yet to use); (b) edit in iMovie; and (c) burn the edited or unedited version on to a DVD for long term storage. Am I right about the above? Would really appreciate input. Also, how does this compare to products like the ADVC video converter? Regarding the second goal, I am completely stymied. First, my Handycam came with a mini-B to USB cable. Despite what more than one Apple Store tech has said, I cannot load into iMovie without a Firewire cable. AND it appears that a mini-B to Firewire cable does not exist anywhere in the universe. Nor can I insert the miniDVD into the Mac because it has a slot entry not a tray. It appears that I am screwed. Ideas? Beginner

09-10-2009	#3 (permalink)
beginner Operator Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 2	Thanks for the reality check. So stay away from mini-DVD camcorders... Elgato seems like a reasonable enough solution though.

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