[Lerkfish]

ok, I'm a neophyte at this. I have a non-digital video camera that exports via coaxial cable. What do I need to import video into a G4/yikes?
are there converters for coax to firewire? or do I need heavier duty hardware than that?

I apologize if this has been asked already.

[SirCastor]

There are lots of devices which will do this. Primarily you're looking at a Firewire bridge. A bunch of companies make them. Formac and Dazzle. Although I'm not sure if they have Coax plugs, you can get a $30 box that'll go from coax to RCA (which I know these devices have plugs for)

Ultimately you're looking at around $300-$400 for one of these.
you can get something similar on USB, but you'll lose quality.

[Lerkfish]

thanks. I was afraid it might be expensive. doh!
but at least its doable.

[Demonhood]

if you know someone that has a digital camcorder with analog in, see if you can borrow it for a bit. it's cheaper (free) than buying a converter, and it's dead easy. of course, if you have tons and tons of footage, it may take awhile (and your friend may not want to part with his/her cam for that long).

[lucylawless]

Originally posted by SirCastor:
<STRONG>There are lots of devices which will do this. Primarily you're looking at a Firewire bridge. A bunch of companies make them. Formac and Dazzle. Although I'm not sure if they have Coax plugs, you can get a $30 box that'll go from coax to RCA (which I know these devices have plugs for)

Ultimately you're looking at around $300-$400 for one of these.
you can get something similar on USB, but you'll lose quality.</STRONG>

I got my dazzle bridge a month ago for 229 at buy.com. it doesn't have coax in or out, but you can use your vcr for that

[Lerkfish]

Originally posted by lucylawless:
<STRONG>

I got my dazzle bridge a month ago for 229 at buy.com. it doesn't have coax in or out, but you can use your vcr for that</STRONG>

I'm assuming once you have the bridge you can export out to a vcr?

[lucylawless]

Originally posted by Lerkfish:
<STRONG>

I'm assuming once you have the bridge you can export out to a vcr?</STRONG>

They say you can, but I havn't done it. The unit clearly has component video/audio in and out, firewire in and out, and switches between three modes: Analog (A) to Digital (D), D to A, and passthrough, so I don't see any reason why you couldn't export to a vcr, I just have no reason to do such a thing...

[Lerkfish]

going to the dazzle site, I find this cheaper model which seems to indicate it could do the same thing only via usb.
Has anyone ever used this one, and would it work?

[nitram_again]

USB won't handle full screen, full motion video. From the specs:
Video Specs:
Resolution:
QSIF — 176 or 160x120 at 30fps NTSC 176 or 160x144 at 25fps PAL
SIF — 320x240 (Mac Only)
Controls: Hue, Brightness, Contrast and Saturation
Video Bitrate: 56K to 500K
Video Input: Composite In, S-Video In
Video Format: NTSC/PAL/SECAM

which means that you'll get the full frame rate at quarter screen. Also, it's a one way street. Once the video is in, this device can't help get it out. That's fine if that's what you want, but you should be aware of it.

Solution:
Borrow a Sony DV or Digital8 camera that has analogue in. The analogue-to-digital conversion is pass-through, so the signal goes from your analogue camera into the digital camera and strainght into your Mac - no need to capture it to a digital tape first.

caveat: I haven't done this myself, this is what I've read elsewhere.

[driven]

Originally posted by nitram_again:
<STRONG>USB won't handle full screen, full motion video. From the specs:
Video Specs:
Resolution:
QSIF — 176 or 160x120 at 30fps NTSC 176 or 160x144 at 25fps PAL
SIF — 320x240 (Mac Only)
Controls: Hue, Brightness, Contrast and Saturation
Video Bitrate: 56K to 500K
Video Input: Composite In, S-Video In
Video Format: NTSC/PAL/SECAM

which means that you'll get the full frame rate at quarter screen. Also, it's a one way street. Once the video is in, this device can't help get it out. That's fine if that's what you want, but you should be aware of it.

Solution:
Borrow a Sony DV or Digital8 camera that has analogue in. The analogue-to-digital conversion is pass-through, so the signal goes from your analogue camera into the digital camera and strainght into your Mac - no need to capture it to a digital tape first.

caveat: I haven't done this myself, this is what I've read elsewhere.</STRONG>

I was going to get a bridge to move my 8mm to iMovie. But ... I found a sharp Digital camera (WDU450) on e-bay for around $400. I figure I can't say no to that price, and it allows me to upgrade my video equipment in the process.

iMovie here I come!