Cheapest method for capturing analogue video?

[bookem]

What's the cheapest solution for getting analogue video into my mac, preferably using Firewire? I'd like to loose as little frames as possible.

[brianleahy]

Here's one for $250: http://www.macmall.com/macmall/shop/...sp?dpno=130661
You can probably go a little cheaper, but not much.

POINTLESS SPELLING/GRAMMAR RANT:
It will allow you to capture analog (not analogue) video via firewire.
It will also LOSE (one "o") as FEW (not as little) frames as possible.

sorry, sometimes I can't help myself...

EDIT: It has been brought to my attention that the word "analogue" can in fact be used to mean a type of video signal. I stand corrected.

[j79]

Originally Posted by brianleahy

Here's one for $250: http://www.macmall.com/macmall/shop/...sp?dpno=130661
You can probably go a little cheaper, but not much.

POINTLESS SPELLING/GRAMMAR RANT:
It will allow you to capture analog (not analogue) video via firewire.
It will also LOSE (one "o") as FEW (not as little) frames as possible.

sorry, sometimes I can't help myself...

Actually, analogue is correct.
On another note, my neighbours flat is a weird colour...

[brianleahy]

"Analogue" -- spelled exactly that way -- is a common word in both England and the US, but I had never before heard it used to describe a video signal. Until now, I'd always heard "analogue" used as a noun: "Something that bears an analogy to something else: e.g. 'Surimi is marketed as an analogue of crabmeat.' " But I see now that it can be an adjective too, so my bad.

But as long as we're on the subject, if you're capturing 'analogue' video from a PAL source (the standard used in the UK) the device I recommended probably won't work.

[jarinteractive]

Originally Posted by brianleahy

"Analogue" -- spelled exactly that way -- is a common word in both England and the US, but I had never before heard it used to describe a video signal. Until now, I'd always heard "analogue" used as a noun: "Something that bears an analogy to something else: e.g. 'Surimi is marketed as an analogue of crabmeat.' " But I see now that it can be an adjective too, so my bad.

But as long as we're on the subject, if you're capturing 'analogue' video from a PAL source (the standard used in the UK) the device I recommended probably won't work.

Actually, it is analogy, not analogue (or analog). Analogue and analogue are both correct spellings of the same word, I believe. Check out formac or eyeTV for video capture devices.

-JARinteractive

[brianleahy]

I hate to contradict you, but analogue is definitely used as a noun as well.

Fire up your Sherlock dictionary; the noun usage is given as the primary definition. The following is pasted DIRECTLY from my Sherlock window:

----------------------------------------------------------

analogue

\An"a*logue\ (?; 115), n. [F. ?, fr. Gr. ?.] 1. That which is analogous to, or corresponds with, some other thing.

The vexatious tyranny of the individual despot meets its analogue in the insolent tyranny of the many. --I. Taylor.

2. (Philol.) A word in one language corresponding with one in another; an analogous term; as, the Latin ``pater'' is the analogue of the English ``father.''

------------

[mindbend]

Analog...analogue...for the love of god...serenity now...serenity now...


Back on topic. One option might be to capture your analog signal to a DV (or even Digital 8) camera or deck if you just happen to have one. Granted, many consumer model video cameras do not provide analog capture, but more and more do these days.

So it's a two step process (usually), record the analog into your DV camera, then Firewire your camera into the computer.

[brianleahy]

That's a good idea - in fact, if you have a digital 8 camera like mine, you can even play standard 8mm and Hi8 recordings back, and get DV output. Can't get much cheaper than that (assuming you already have the camera...)