[herbsman]

Whats up. New Mac user here and I got me a Tibook with superdrive.

2 Questions

1. I have archived video footage on vhs that i want digitized on my comp. I know about video conversion products such as dazzle, formac's thing, and etc. but i'm hoping not to spend that much more money because i spent most of my money on the comp.

Is there anyway to import video with what i have via the ports on the back and just through getting a special cable or two?


2. Whats the best way to import audio into my computer? I plan on doing a lot of prank calls to random people and local businesses and i need a way to get the audio into my computer.

currently i have a speakerphone and a cheap mic/recorder that captures the audio and i need a way to import that audio from the recorder into my comp. point me in the right direction or if you have any better more professional ideas then let me know, my current setup is pretty crap.

thanks

- new mac user

[herbsman]

thanks for the help! i'll try doing that and see if it works

[11011001]

so that worked for you huh?

As far as digitizing your VHS stuff, you will need to BUY more than just a simple cable. You will need to buy a thing like the Formac DV thingy (for converting and importing non DV sources, such as from a VCR).

That should import in DV format.

From there you can edit that DV footage in iMovie. Once done there, you can put it on a DVD using iDVD. (that's the free approach as far as software goes)

Personally I would be using Final Cut Pro and DVD Studio Pro. The advantage here is more control over compression settings, that would allow one to fit more on a DVD (ie, work at native VHS resolution, play with variable frame rates, and compression settings.. lots of stuff)

You will probably end up fitting only an hour or so on a DVD. I think iDVD has an option for more compression too. Play around..

[herbsman]

ok crap i was hoping that i wouldnt have to use any more money so i guess that ill have to wait for the video.

what about the audio. do you know how i can record my prank calls into my computer

[riverfreak]

Originally posted by herbsman:

2. Whats the best way to import audio into my computer? I plan on doing a lot of prank calls to random people and local businesses and i need a way to get the audio into my computer.

This is something one plans for? And I thought my life was mundane.

The Ti has audio line-in doesn't it? I know there are a number of programs (try versiontracker.com) that wil llet you capture that audio and save it to a file. Sorry, can't remember the names off-hand.