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best way to convert VHS footage to use in pro project
Hello
I need to use some old VHS footage in a documentary , I would like to get the best quality out of this footage in order to do some color correction etc. I see the cheap converters around 50 dollar I see around are generally compressing to MPEG4. This documenatry is mainly shot with red and I am using FCP to edit. so, what would be the best codec or format I should get the VHS? I have seen a device that converts to H.264, cost 200 dollars, although I would not like to spend too much money in this VHS conversion.
I got a Mini DV camera with a minijack analog input, I though converting to MINI DV tape and then capture that from the camara with firewire in FCP. would be that enought or at least better than MPEG4 or H.264?
Thanks a lot
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11 Replies
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Best format? Uncompressed video. You can buy a black magic decklink studio card , harder if you don’t have a MacPro.
Generally speaking, pick whatever the least compressed format is for your budget. DVCPro25 (mini dv) is pretty compressed; it’ll work and hits your budget and maybe the best case. Any h.264 format will have to be transcoded (making it TWO conversions) before it hits FCP – probably a bad choice, unless you get a great conversion.
Best,
Jeff G
Certified Master Trainer | Adobe, Apple, Avid
————
You should follow me (filmgeek) on twitter. I promise to be nice.
New! FCPX DSLR workflows; What’s new in Media Comopser 6; Full Media Composer 6 basics from macProVideo.com
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Thanks, well , I am using an Imac to capture in FCP, is there any good choice for this?
cheers
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Unless you want to purchase a thunderbolt device, unfortunately no, there isn’t. That’s the limitation of iMacs (and MacBookPros.)
I’d do a sample with the miniDV device to see how you feel it affects the quality. If you’re not happy with it, you could look at some of the h.264 encoders – just make sure they have adjustable compression rates (and you’d want little additional compression.)
Best,
Jeff G
Certified Master Trainer | Adobe, Apple, Avid
————
You should follow me (filmgeek) on twitter. I promise to be nice.
New! FCPX DSLR workflows; What’s new in Media Comopser 6; Full Media Composer 6 basics from macProVideo.com
Come see me speak at the Government Video Expo Nov 30 – Dec 1; Seminar link here
My book (with Richard Harrington and Robbie Carman)- An Editor’s Guide to Adobe Premiere Pro
Lynda.com – Compressor Essentials 3.5 and 4
Contact me through my Website -
Interesting that you’re trying to mix VHS with Red, yet on an apparently tight budget. Red (assuming you mean the camera) isn’t cheap.
An expensive but viable solution would be Telestream Pipeline which is a network device so connects via Ethernet (Cat6). Capture in TIFO format into Telestream Episode and you can encode to multiple codecs simultaneously such as ProRes for editing and H.264 to distribute screening copies. This would work with your iMac.
Pipeline
https://www.telestream.net/pipeline/overview.htm
Episode
https://www.telestream.net/episode/overview.htm
If all you need is a single channel standard def Pipeline, it’s about $2000. -
Ok, thanks a lot! I am lloking to find this thunderbolt device, but I only see descritpions of the technology, would you know a specific name ? or I just have to look for look for a capture device with this technology?
cheers
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Matrox MXO2 LE with the thunderbolt option. If you frequently deliver H.264, the MAX option is a must have in my opinion.
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Thanks a lot, I have an Imac three years old, so I realize thre is not thunderbolt technology , Do I need a thunderbolt port in my to use these devices?
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MXO2 uses either Express Port, PCIe, Thunderbolt.
That would mean MacPro, older MacBookPro with Express Port, any new Thunderbolt Mac. No way to connect to pre 2011 iMac.Pipeline uses Ethernet. You can attach directly to a single computer with Ethernet or you can have it attached to network and it’s available to multiple computers.
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Yes, you need either Thunderbolt, PCIe or Expresscard/34. Unfortunately none of which are available to you on that iMac.
See Craig’s earlier pipeline suggestion.
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If you just want to convert a single tape, it’s probably cheapest to send to a pro service. GoPhoto converts slides, negatives, and photos to digital, and also converts VHS to DVD for $20 a tape.
Digital transfers are done in the U.S., and there are coupon codes on Facebook and Twitter (and via the mailing list) fairly often.
Good luck!
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