How to Copy VHS to Digital on a Mac

Save your memories by transferring VHS tapes to digital video.

VHS tapes are an old technology that is still found in people's homes today. With the creation of digital video discs, VHS is now obsolete, but you can transfer your old VHS tapes to digital video to save things such as home movies. Using your Mac computer, transferring VHS video to a digital form is possible, and takes just a few minutes. Then you can throw out your old VCR tapes to free up more space in your home.

Things You'll Need

• VCR or VHS camcorder
• MiniDV camcorder or analog-to-DV converter box
• A/V cable
• FireWire cable

Instructions

Setting Up a Transfer Station

1. Connect the white end of the A/V cable to the VCR or VHS camcorder's video output. Connect the other white end to the video input of the MiniDV or converter box.

2. Connect the red and yellow ends of the A/V cable to the VCR or camcorder's left/right audio output jacks, and to the left/right audio input jacks on the MiniDV or converter box. These are color coded to tell you which colors to plug in where.

3. Connect one end of the FireWire cable to the MiniDV or converter box's FireWire jack, and the other end to the FireWire jack on the Mac. Turn on all of the devices.

Importing the Video

1. Open the iMovie software on the Mac, and create a new project by clicking "File" then "New Project."

2. Click "File," then "Import," followed by "Movies." Choose the external destination drive to import movies from the VCR or VHS camcorder.

3. Press the "Play" button on the VCR or VHS camcorder to begin importing videos, and press the space bar on the Mac to begin recording in iMovie.

4. Save the project by clicking "Export" in the iMovie menu, then select the destination where you want it saved. Click "Export" to begin exporting the video.

Tips & Warnings

• You can save your videos to an external hard drive to conserve space on your Mac.

References

• Mac World: From VHS to DVD