Capturing Analog Video
Analog Video is any source that typically uses the RCA cables to capture video, in particular VHS video. DVD video
is digital video which can many times be copied directly to the hard drive, but saometimes video from DVDs may be
captured as analog video (from the "composite" RCA cables).
Currently, the easiest way to capture analog video (VHS video) on the Macs is to use the JVC VHS/DV
player which will automatically convert your analog VHS tape into digital video. The only thing you need to do is
make sure the DV IN/OUT port
on
the player is connected to the G5 Firewire port with a (mini to standard) firewire cable. At this point capturing the
video will be nearly the same as capturing video from a digital source.
There are two programs that can be used to capture video on the Mac:
iMovie
In the top of the window click "go" and "applications". ”
Double-click on "IMovie HD".
You should see your video playing in the main window. Adjust the volume control on the window.
Make sure to switch the small circle control to the camera symbol (capture) and not to the scissor (edit) symbol. If
you still do not see your video, make sure you have the tape in the JVC player with the DV IN/OUT port on the front.
Make sure the tape is playing. If all else fails, close and restart the program with the video still playing.
Click “Import” to capture video.
Final Cut Pro
In the top of the window click "go"”and "applications".
Double-click on "Final Cut Pro".
This will open the Final Cut Pro program.
Click "File" and "Log and Capture".
You should see your video playing in the capture window. If you do not, make sure you have the tape in the JVC player
with the DV IN/OUT port on the front. Make sure the tape is playing. Note: If you close and open Final Cut Pro
with the video playing and
still see no video in the capture window, try opening Imovie and check if you can see your video there. Then, close
IMovie and reopen Final Cut Pro and you should be able to see your video in then capture window.
On the right hand side of the capture window, click "Capture Settings", make sure "Device" is "Non-Controllable
Device".
In the capture window, click "Now" to capture the video.
Using the "Dazzle" Capture Device
An alternative, although more labor intensive way
of capturing analog video on the Mac is with the "Dazzle" capture device.
Unless this device is connected
to the Mac, you will need to get it from the MRC desk.
Verify that the VCR/DVD player has the 3 RCA cables connected from the player “OUT” to the Dazzle “IN” (video
is yellow, audio is red and white). It is important to make sure that the Dazzle device has “A to D” lit. If
the “A to D” light is not lit, press the “Mode” button until the “A to D” light is lit. Verify that the
firewire cable is connected to the back of the Dazzle device and that the other end of the cable is connected
to the Mac. From here, you can capture the video very much like digital video, the only difference being that there
is no "device control".
Double-click on “Macintosh HD” on the desktop. Double-click on “Applications. Double-click on “Final Cut
Pro HD.
Click “File. Click “Log and Capture. Click on the “Capture Settings” tab. Make sure “Device Control” is
set to “Firewire NTSC. Make sure “Capture/Input” is “DV NTSC 48 kHz. You should see the video in the
preview window, if you do not, check the “Mode” button on the Dazzle device and make sure the Dazzle device is
set to “A to D.
To start capturing video click on the “Now” button. To stop capturing video, press the “esc” key. Close the
capture window when done capturing videos. You should see your captured videos in the upper left part of the
“Final Cut Pro” window. You can now drag and drop these files to the timeline window near the bottom of the
“Final Cut Pro” windows. You files should be located in the “Users/multi” folder.
Capturing Digital Video
Digital video is from a source that has a firewire connection, for example a mini-DV or Digital-8 video
camera.
To capture digital video, connect the camera to the computer firewire port (not the Dazzle device firewire
port!). Turn on your camera and put the camera in “play” mode.
Currently on the MRC MAC there are 2 programs to capture digital video:
iMovie
Open “Finder”, double click on “Applications”, double click on “iMovie”.
In the program bar on the top of the screen click on “File” and “New Project”. You can save this new project in the “Movies” folder.
You should see a blue screen with the word “camera connected”. You can now use the “play”, “rewind”, etc… controls to view the video on your camera. To capture video click on the “Import” button. You should see your captured video clip on the right hand side of the window. You can double click on the square with your video to rename or play the video. You can change back and forth between play and capture with the sliding switch with the scissors. All video formats on the Macs are Quicktime.
Final Cut Pro
Open “Finder”, double click on “Applications”, double click on “Final Cut Pro”.
Click “File. Click “Log and Capture. Click on the “Capture Settings” tab. Make sure “Device Control” is
set to “Firewire NTSC”. Make sure “Capture/Input” is “DV NTSC 48 kHz”. You should see the video in the
preview window.
To start capturing video click on the “Now” button. To stop capturing video, click the stop button or press the “esc” key. Close the
capture window when done capturing videos. You should see your captured videos in the upper left part of the
“Final Cut Pro” window. You can now drag and drop these files to the timeline window near the bottom of the
“Final Cut Pro” windows. You files should be located in the “Users/mrcguest” folder.
