It's good you ask things, don't be afraid to do that, first some hints for you, to start with, HDMI is mostly a output, so a HDMI connection on any laptop is an output for a monitor, to put a HDMI recorder, or directly capture from a consumer device with HDMI, will not work because of a protection sceme called HDCP.
The JVC miniDV/VHS would be an instant solution, but is unsertain and a little bit to expensive,(700 euros?)
The DMR-ES35V (PAL model) is somewhat less expensive (@ vcrshop.com) but would be a good start,
This combo has the "VHS fresh" feature, it digitizes the analog video signal makes it stable and converts it back to analog on the outputs.(not all LCD or Oled tv's can make something good from what's connected to their composite input, so don't be fooled with that, and just look what you really capture)
A HDMI recorder will cost you also what, but the workflow is easy because of that, and ProRes files will be used, which are good for editing first.
An analog video signal can also be made stable, by the use of a passthrough device, which could be a cheap dvd -recorder from the trift store.
How much would be your budget, if you do want to spend some money ? spending more money would make your workflow easier, the devices you mention, you already seen somewhere, for you to buy ? if it's possible for you to get hold of the Intensity Shuttle thunderbolt 2, and your MAC laptop is also Thunderbold 2, this could be also still a cheap option,(or an secondhand MAC that has, i have 2 MBP, sometimes that's a cheaper option) The MAC OS is just much better than the Windows OS, plus Thunderbolt 2 is faster than USB 3, which is a big advantage, My setup now is: DMR-ES35V (PAL version) Mini Analog to SDI converter and then the Video Assist monitor/recorder this works
without any updating of firmwares,
The Ultrastudio Recorder 3G instead of the "recorder" gave for me a strange noise pattern in the video image, why…. i don't know, so i did not look further into this, the SDI to HDMI 3G converter did not work at all, and needed updates, which went wrong with me, so you see … i stay away from any computer for the capture process, the devices i talk about are all from BlackMagic Design.
Did you have any luck with the Elgato ? most of the time you need to optimize the windows pc, to get no dropped frames which causes the audio go out of sync, if that should be your only problem with that setup, most of the time vertical lines…… are not vertical or straight at all, if that's the only problem a vcr with TBC could be a solution, but will not work in all cases.
btw. no, i do not count the BlackMagicDesign device to be consumer devices in this case, but more the "livingroom" that are.
The China products, like converters, can
sometimes also be a solution, but quality is less, and you need to have info on that, by user(s) expiriences, i have also expirience with some of that, if that should be your "path" to go.
btw2 i see that the vcrshop.com has 4 DMR-ES35V in stock this shop is located in the Netherlands, what i can see all 4 are PAL (EU) models 400 euro is a lot of money, for a secondhand device, it's the retail price i paid for it ! but it is a great device if it's in good working order, and from there you have a good start for digitizing VHS, or use it as passthrough for other video sources, SECAM should also be no problem, most of the time SECAM broadcasts were put (recorded) on tape as MESECAM, and an EU player would output is as PAL, this would be a problem for an US VHS player.
The ES35V makes also good transfers to DVD, some other Panasonic
recorder combo models
could have the same features, and can be found at thrift stores….
Samsam wrote:Your experience with the ES35V pushes me to see following this way + a mini-DV camcorder for capture via firewire.
yes correct, the ES35V has also DV input at it's front
Also… PAL or MESECAM might be no problem at all, when using s-video or component, (everywhere) because signals are seperate, and are mixed again outside the vcr when digitizing/capturing..
Davinci Resolve can't be used for capturing, at least
not with the Intensity Shuttle.
Try to avoid HDMI for capturing, HDCP and the "handshake" will prevent making a "connection" this is the case with most living room equipment, which most of the time will have a tuner or decoder with them, this is so you won't be able to copy copyrighted material.
Video equipment that is made for creating your own content does not have this problem.
The Video Assist monitor/recorder makes ProRes422 files in different compression sizes, even the highest compression will allow you to have good quality, after some generations of copies from copy, i use the LT version that's the one before the one that has the highest compression, for VHS this is just fine, you can edit that footage on any normal computer, without that the process slows down, in fact that's the reason ProRes422 is designed, once you're finished with editing you compress it with h.264, Which Shutter Encoder is fine for, easy to use, Davinci Resolve is good also, but the free version does not de-interlace,
The Studio version does, but at a price of 300 euro's, but that's a one time expense, while other editors need a subscription, i still use the free version, but i'm very tempted to buy the Studio version, many users from editors switch over to Davinci Resolve…
btw. I have the LG LV4981 in my collection that looks very much like yours, found it at the thrift store for a few euro's and vcrshop sells it for 500 euro's !!! seems like a good investment
Your LG MG-64 puts SECAM as MESECAM on VHS i found out, this should be no problem with EU equipment, maybe capturing from this vcr, through composite is not optimal.
Your LG vcr has a nice option i saw in it's manual: quote: "OPR (Optimum Picture Response)
This enhances the picture from the video tape by adjusting to the condition of the video tape. If you feel
that the picture needs adjusting you can manually change the OPR setting.You can only set OPR when a tape is playing in the Video.
1. Press to enter the main menu.
2. Use 1 or 2 to select OPR then press OK.
3. Use the 3 or 4 buttons to select OFF, SOFT or SHARP.
4. Press to exit the menus.
You can also set the OPR by pressing OPR on the front of your Video."
Colour standards can also be set with "SYSTEM" but "AUTO" should be okay for PAL and MESECAM.