California State University San Marcos Communication Department
communication degree

Recording from VHS Deck to Mac Computer:

Playing VHS, DVD disk, or any source utilizing RCA cables via from frontal jacks. It would appear that it is not necessary to select (L)ine 1 or (L)ine 2 on the DVD, VHS Deck. The Sony player does it automatically.

  1. Digital deck ON.
  2. Input Select - Video.
  3. VHS deck ON.
  4. Mac to accept from digital source.
  5. Analog source, VHS or Camcorder, Play.

METHOD ONE. To Recording to VHS.
NOTE: This process is longer, but quality is the best. As you are recording digital to digital. Also note that as Mini-DV's are rated for recording 60 or 90 minutes, the DV decks are set to record less. A 60-minute tape only records up to 40 minutes.

  1. Digital deck on.
  2. Input Select - DV.
  3. Tape inserted and ready for recording from Mac.
  4. In iMovie, select Share.
  5. Select Videocamera.
  6. Click OK.
    When it has Recorded on Mini-DV.
  7. VHS deck on.
  8. VHS tape inserted and ready to Record.
  9. Digital deck, Input Select - Video.
  10. Play Mini-DV, if Mac starts Importing, stop Import. Do not press Stop.
  11. Press Record on VHS deck.

METHOD TWO. To Record to VHS.
NOTE: This process may take less time, but the quality suffers. As you are recording digital to analog. Use at your discretion.

  1. Digital deck on.
  2. Digital deck, Input Select - Video.
  3. No tape inserted in Mini-DV.
  4. In iMovie, select Share.
  5. Select Videocamera.
  6. VHS deck on.
  7. VHS tape inserted and ready to Record.
  8. Press RECORD on VHS and click OK.