Filed under: Peripherals, Video, Odds and ends, First Look
First Look: Roxio Easy VHS to DVD for Mac
Today, Roxio announced a way to bring those old memories to life on your Mac. The Roxio Easy VHS to DVD for Mac kit (US$79.99) includes a USB 2.0 video capture widget that gets plugged into any USB 2.0 port on your Mac, then connected to your VHS deck or analog camcorder. The Easy VHS to DVD software provides step-by-step prompting for connecting video and audio cables to the capture device, records the video onto your Mac in either standard (4 Mbps VBR) or high-quality (8 Mbps VBR), and then offers you the choice to either edit the movie in iMovie, send it to the included Roxio Toast Basic DVD-burning software, or view it in QuickTime Player.
If you already have an Elgato or Blackmagic video adapter, you can use those to achieve similar ends, without the straight-to-DVD option of the Roxio product.
I think it's finally time for me convert and burn the VHS video I shot back in 1980 in the U.K. with a 21-pound "compact" Panasonic VHS recorder and separate video camera. What old VHS tapes would you want to burn to DVD? Leave a comment below.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
walkerjs said 11:19AM on 5-26-2009
I have a fairly huge collection of Star Trek TNG on VHS taped as first aired, in California on KCOP 13 complete with the period commercials (which I wouldn't edit out.) I could use the room those bulky tapes are currently occupying, and VHS isn't going to last forever. Also my last functioning VCR isn't going to last forever (though I could buy a new one cheap these days; the time of $500 video recorders is well behind us.)
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Jonathan said 11:42AM on 5-26-2009
Thats terrific! I only wish there were a way to input my old MiiDV cassettes to my computer (or even just a DVD Recorder) without having to buy a replacement for my long-dead MiniDV camcorder.
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kaslings said 11:50AM on 5-26-2009
I have an El Gato and did this already, but I just wanted to mention, editing out stuff (static, commercials, etc) in iMovie 09 really really really sucks compared to the old iMovie (2 generations ago... iMovie HD?)
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Gizmo said 11:55AM on 5-26-2009
I have a cupboard of TV stuff from 80s. I could do with reclaiming the cupboard space, and be able to watch memories whenever I want.
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Gizmo said 12:04PM on 5-26-2009
The PC version is £35 but the Mac version is £59. That's really quite annoying.
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Dograbot said 12:39PM on 5-26-2009
Will this work for those of us who want a copy of our old store-bought VHS tapes that have been smeared with that god-awful Macrovision copy protection?
All of us who bought VHS tapes are screwed because we can't make fair-use copies of our tapes. It's ridiculous!
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mark said 1:30PM on 5-26-2009
I can't believe there are still products being made that cater to this need. We've been able to do this for like 10 years now using any DV bridge.
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phlavor said 3:42PM on 5-26-2009
So you're saying that there are Hardware/Software solutions that are more cost effective and have ease of use already? Great! List them.
Javier said 2:18PM on 5-26-2009
15% discount code -- ROXIO15
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bebopredux said 4:35PM on 5-26-2009
I'm thinking it'd take me months to convert my VHS tapes to DVD. Nice idea but, unless they figure out a way to put 48 hours into a day, it's not worth it.
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Wojtek said 6:13PM on 5-26-2009
Well, the point is... I do not have a VHS VCR for some 5 years now... And I really don't know why am I actually keeping all these tapes...
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required said 7:11PM on 5-26-2009
DVD is too small and on its way out. DVD/VHS to Blu-ray makes a lot more sense. The blank media is currently less than $5/25GB making it a lot more feasible for backing up and sharing data such as home video.
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JonnyDeco said 10:34PM on 5-26-2009
Has anyone tried the Neuros OSD for this and similar uses? I've heard it recommended in several places, including from Leo Laporte and the NY Times (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/06/business/06novel.html?_r=1). The NY Times quotes a price of $230 but it's $99 at Amazon--$20 more than the Roxio but seems much more flexible. Would love to hear if anyone's tried it.
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RogueFive said 11:38PM on 5-26-2009
What is this VHS they talk about?
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clasqm said 4:56AM on 5-27-2009
Ah, but will it convert my Edison wax cylinders?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phonograph_cylinder
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Mordieu! said 3:05PM on 5-28-2009
on amazon.com the reviews for the pc version are very bad!!!! Just wondering how it will work on a mac. Anyone has tried it yet?
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