[nancytik]

can i use this to do it?

Sony Handycam DCR TRV530: http://www.google.com/products/catal...m=4#ps-sellers

these would be converting from a very old handycam, from early 90s. once i've done this--if i can do it--then how do i get the digital recordings into my macbook?

[MacNNUK]

Originally Posted by nancytik 

can i use this to do it?

Sony Handycam DCR TRV530: http://www.google.com/products/catal...m=4#ps-sellers

these would be converting from a very old handycam, from early 90s. once i've done this--if i can do it--then how do i get the digital recordings into my macbook?

I'd copy tapes to DVD, then import into mac using handbrake.

This also has the advantage of archiving your old tapes.

You could buy a Formac Studio analogue to dv hardware, but it's expensive.

[TETENAL]

http://www.elgato.com/elgato/int/mai...oduct1.en.html

[MacNNUK]

Originally Posted by TETENAL 

http://www.elgato.com/elgato/int/mai...oduct1.en.html

Low resolution and requires newish iMac

Video resolution: 640×480 (4:3) or 640×360 (16:9)
Video format: H.264 at 1.4 MBit/sec or MPEG-4 at 2.4 MBit/sec
Audio: AAC, 48kHZ, 128 kBit/sec

System Requirements
* Macintosh computer with Intel Core Duo processor
* 512 MB of RAM
* Built-in USB 2.0 port
* Mac OS X 10.5.6 Leopard (or later)
* QuickTime 7.6 (or later)
* iTunes 8.1 or later

[AKcrab]

Originally Posted by MacNNUK 

Low resolution and requires newish iMac

Video resolution: 640×480 (4:3) or 640×360 (16:9)

The original footage is bigger than 640x480?
How would you copy the tapes to DVD?

[MacNNUK]

Originally Posted by AKcrab 

The original footage is bigger than 640x480?
How would you copy the tapes to DVD?

Original size doesn't matter.
It would be up scaled, or down graded effectively using Elgato, or similar product.

Camcorder AV out to DVD Recorder Composite in ... cables (A+A+V)

[AKcrab]

Originally Posted by MacNNUK 

Original size doesn't matter.
It would be up, or down graded effectively using Elgato, or similar product.

I must be misunderstanding what you are saying.. I thought in your previous post your were implying NOT to use the elgato product. I would disagree that the original size doesn't matter; upscaled video often looks like crap, unless done through hardware (like a DVD player that upscales).

Camcorder AV out to DVD Recorder Composite in ... cables (A+A+V)

I wouldn't assume the OP has a DVD recorder.

[MacNNUK]

Originally Posted by MacNNUK 

I'd copy tapes to DVD, then import into mac using handbrake.

This also has the advantage of archiving your old tapes.

You could buy a Formac Studio analogue to dv hardware, but it's expensive.

I stick with my original recommendation.

[steve626]

As MacNNUK stated, copying to DVD first is best.

To copy from your analog device to DVD, you need a DVD recorder. They can be purchased for less than $50, although ones with more features cost more. You connect from the analog device to the DVD recorder using the best quality cables/input you can. For instance, component out/in is better than S-video which is better than composite ...

You can also get converters to connect directly to your Mac and save to digital files on your hard drive but those converters often cost more than the simple DVD recorder itself.