Digitizing DVcam tapes

[Roger Sherman]

I have a Sony DSR 45A deck that I’d like to use to digitize old DVcam tapes.
I believe I have the right cables but I don’t have a dedicated monitor for the deck and I don’t know what to do to record the tapes when I get it connected to my M-1 Mac.

Thanks for your suggestions.

[Mads Nybo jørgensen]

Hey Roger,

On my (PAL) set-up I capture the tapes first, and then check on the Mac Mini whether the files play back OK.

I use a Blackmagic UltraStudio 4K (with software) to convert the SDI signal from VTR, to a Mac Mini M1, with the Thunderbolt as the connector to the Mac.

[Roger Sherman]

thanks. I guess simply connecting cables would not work?

how do you capture?

[Mads Nybo jørgensen]

No, you will need to have a device in the middle that will convert the DV-Cam signal (Analogue/FireWire/SDI) to a digital stream that the Apple can record. A mix of hardware for the real-time conversion, and software to record the stream.

I would expect the hardware to have software included.

The key point to work out, is whether it is just for yourself, or whether you’ll want to use the footage. In my case, I have over 200 Betacam SP and DV-Cam master tapes that I want put on a hard-drive. I capture in a High Quality format, and down-convert that to MP4 for storage.

Depending on how many tapes you have and how sensitive the footage is, you may find it more cost-effective to find a local facility to do the job for you.
Or consider getting an old DVD-Recorder out and play the tapes onto DVD. And, then rip the DVD onto your Mac.

[Roger Sherman]

Much appreciated.

[Andreas Kiel]

As mentioned above a Blackmagic UltraStudio Mini or Blackmagic UltraStudio mini 4k would do the job

A used old MacBook with FireWire could work as well.

If quality matters I would prefer the UltraStudio since the Apple FW conversion/codec isn’t the very best.