# S-video to Mac for under $50? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 24, 2011, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/s-video-to-mac-for-under-50/572400 "2011-02-24T01:33:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2011, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/s-video-to-mac-for-under-50/572400/1 "2011-02-24T01:33:59Z")
I have about ten old Hi8 tapes that I want to transfer to digital. But the only equipment I have is aSamsung camera that only has an S-video output. I have a bunch of s-video to RCA converter doohickies, but that doesn’t help because the RCA doesn’t go tot he Mac either. I looked for a PCI capture card…HAHAHAHAHHA… right. Hundreds to big thousands of dollars. Since Hi8 were ubiquitous not that long ago, I know that someone has figure out how to do this without breaking the bank. Any ideas? ---
**Author:** ![bigmac44](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/94ad74/32.png) [@bigmac44](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bigmac44)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2011, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/s-video-to-mac-for-under-50/572400/2 "2011-02-24T01:51:27Z")
I haven’t used it, but it looks like this: > **[Amazon.com: Geniatech iGrabber One Touch Video Grabber For MAC and PC, Push...](https://www.amazon.com/Geniatech-iGrabber-Grabber-Button-Recording/dp/B002LRMOPO)** > > With This iGrabber, you can capture all the video clips from your video sources such as VHS/VCR/DVD/DV camcorder before they disappear. A only-we-have "push to start push to stop" button will help you to get the selected clips very easily. Also you... or a similar usb device would do what you are asking for… ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2011, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/s-video-to-mac-for-under-50/572400/3 "2011-02-24T02:13:01Z")
> [@Stoid](#): > > I have about ten old Hi8 tapes that I want to transfer to digital. But the only equipment I have is aSamsung camera that only has an S-video output. > > I have a bunch of s-video to RCA converter doohickies, but that doesn’t help because the RCA doesn’t go tot he Mac either. > I looked for a PCI capture card…HAHAHAHAHHA… right. Hundreds to big thousands of dollars. > > Since Hi8 were ubiquitous not that long ago, I know that someone has figure out how to do this without breaking the bank. > > Any ideas? These are 30.00 to 50.00 on ebay. They have an s-video input. ATI TV Wonder HD 650 Combo PCI Express Tech specs [http://www.amd.com/us/products/pctv/tv-wonder-tuners/Pages/tv-wonder-product-matrix.aspx](http://www.amd.com/us/products/pctv/tv-wonder-tuners/Pages/tv-wonder-product-matrix.aspx) ---
**Author:** ![Superhal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Superhal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superhal)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2011, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/s-video-to-mac-for-under-50/572400/4 "2011-02-24T02:16:58Z")
[S-video to hdmi for $60.](http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&safe=off&q=s-video+to+hdmi&bav=on.1,or.&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=11770759136531166036&sa=X&ei=bL9lTfOlOpHEsAPymJThBA&ved=0CE0Q8wIwBA#) ---
**Author:** ![freckafree](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/freckafree/32/3050_2.png) [@freckafree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freckafree)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2011, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/s-video-to-mac-for-under-50/572400/5 "2011-02-24T02:51:03Z")
I bought one of [these](http://cgi.ebay.com/PC-MAC-VGA-TV-AV-Composite-RCA-S-Video-Converter-Box-/280634455586?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item41571df622) converters from eBay. I bought it to use with one of those “entertainment” projectors that only have RCA cables. I connected my MacBook Pro to the converter using the mini display port to VGA adapter. Worked fine, although the projector quality sucked and I returned the projector. ---
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2011, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/s-video-to-mac-for-under-50/572400/6 "2011-02-24T03:51:33Z")
I haven’t looked at any of the links yet, but I wanted to clarify: this isn’t about _ **displaying** _ anything, it’s about _ **capturing** _ the video - _ **converting** _ it to digital. Display is a snap. ---
**Author:** ![Tabby\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Tabby\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tabby_Cat)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2011, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/s-video-to-mac-for-under-50/572400/7 "2011-02-24T04:34:59Z")
Um, am I missing something? If you can display something on your screen, you can record it. ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2011, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/s-video-to-mac-for-under-50/572400/8 "2011-02-24T04:38:25Z")
> [@Stoid](#): > > I haven’t looked at any of the links yet Well, take a look. From the link in the first response in this thread: > [@](#): > > Convert all your valuable video archive into digital format! Before they disappear! ---
**Author:** ![Palooka](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/palooka/32/2902_2.png) [@Palooka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palooka)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2011, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/s-video-to-mac-for-under-50/572400/9 "2011-02-24T04:40:23Z")
> [@Tabby\_Cat](#): > > Um, am I missing something? If you can display something on your screen, you can record it. Yeah, he can’t display it without one of the capture cards listed above. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2011, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/s-video-to-mac-for-under-50/572400/10 "2011-02-24T05:00:33Z")
What Machine / OS? ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2011, 6:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/s-video-to-mac-for-under-50/572400/11 "2011-02-24T06:51:37Z")
> [@Stoid](#): > > I haven’t looked at any of the links yet, but I wanted to clarify: this isn’t about _ **displaying** _ anything, it’s about _ **capturing** _ the video - _ **converting** _ it to digital. Display is a snap. The software that comes with the ATI cards I referenced allows you to record and save incoming S-video and tuner feeds. That’s kind of the whole point of these cards. If you wanted to just view the video you might as well use a full size TV’s S-video input. Look at where it says “video capture and convert” about halfway down the feature set list in the link I provided. I think actually have two of these ATI 650 PCI’s hanging around (somewhere) that I pulled from some home theatre PCs I was playing with last month. I really didn’t realize all they could do till I saw the feature set I linked to. I think I’ll plug one in and play with it. Another link just for the card. [http://www.amd.com/us/products/pctv/tv-wonder-tuners/Pages/tv-wonder-hd-650-pci-ntsc-atsc.aspx](http://www.amd.com/us/products/pctv/tv-wonder-tuners/Pages/tv-wonder-hd-650-pci-ntsc-atsc.aspx) ---
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2011, 8:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/s-video-to-mac-for-under-50/572400/12 "2011-02-24T08:32:24Z")
I’m going to try something super [cheap](http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150554291158&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT#ht_2474wt_932) I found on ebay. I just hadn’t plugged in the right query until you guys gave me your input. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2011, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/s-video-to-mac-for-under-50/572400/13 "2011-02-24T15:23:26Z")
> [@Stoid](#): > > I’m going to try something super [cheap](http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150554291158&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT#ht_2474wt_932) I found on ebay. I just hadn’t plugged in the right query until you guys gave me your input. Thanks! Unless this device explicitly supports OS X, you are wasting your money. I have a PCI video capture card (an xclaim VR 128) - you can have it for a song if it will work for you. So, once again - what Machine / OS do you have. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2011, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/s-video-to-mac-for-under-50/572400/14 "2011-02-25T03:36:19Z")
Per beowulff’s note the card and software I referenced is XP/Vista/Win 7 only. ---
**Author:** ![tellyworth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/977dab/32.png) [@tellyworth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tellyworth)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2011, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/s-video-to-mac-for-under-50/572400/15 "2011-02-25T03:51:19Z")
Roxio Easy VHS to DVD, $79.95 in the Apple store: > **[Roxio Easy VHS to DVD - Apple](https://www.apple.com/us/search/Roxio-Easy-VHS-to-DVD?mco=MTY1NzE4MTg&rdt=redirectionFromProductPage&tab=accessories)** > > Apple Store Search Results (If that link doesn’t work, it’s under Mac Accessories / Video Devices). Supports s-video, comes with hardware and software, runs on a Mac. Check the systems requirements and reviews, I’ve never used it. ---
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2011, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/s-video-to-mac-for-under-50/572400/16 "2011-02-25T05:18:58Z")
Thanks but that’s $30 more than the cutoff listed in the TITLE, and that was higher than I really wanted to go to begin with. ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2011, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/s-video-to-mac-for-under-50/572400/17 "2011-02-25T05:28:55Z")
> [@Stoid](#): > > Thanks but that’s $30 more than the cutoff listed in the TITLE, and that was higher than I really wanted to go to begin with. It’s just under your cutoff at Amazon. > **[Amazon.com: Roxio Easy VHS to DVD \[Old Version\]](https://www.amazon.com/Roxio-Easy-VHS-DVD-Version/dp/B001LQO4P4)** > > Product Description Easy VHS to DVD Amazon.com It's a sad fact that treasured home movies shot on VHS, Hi8, and V8 tapes will degrade over time, eventually disappearing completely. Roxio Easy VHS to DVD... Here’s a less expensive device. > **[Home - MeritLine](https://www.meritline.com?source=fghdac)** ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2011, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/s-video-to-mac-for-under-50/572400/18 "2011-02-25T05:35:51Z")
The above unit at Meritline is $20.99 with the following coupon code, but that deal may end sometime this morning. MLC201189022342NL1 ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2011, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/s-video-to-mac-for-under-50/572400/19 "2011-02-25T05:35:53Z")
> [@x-ray\_vision](#): > > It’s just under your cutoff at Amazon. > [Amazon.com: Roxio Easy VHS to DVD [Old Version]](http://www.amazon.com/Roxio-Easy-VHS-to-DVD/dp/B001LQO4P4) That’s the Windows version, and the product appears to have terrible reviews, both on Amazon and on the Apple web site. ETA: [Here’s the Mac version.](http://www.amazon.com/Roxio-Easy-VHS-DVD-Mac/dp/B00266PHEK/ref=sr_1_1?s=software&ie=UTF8&qid=1298612349&sr=1-1) Cheaper than at the Apple Store, but over the $50 threshold. > [@](#): > > Here’s a less expensive device. > [http://www.meritline.com/mygica-igrabber-usb-2point0-video-capture-for-mac---p-38254.aspx?source=fghdac](http://www.meritline.com/mygica-igrabber-usb-2point0-video-capture-for-mac---p-38254.aspx?source=fghdac) Reading the reviews, I’d also be skeptical–lots of complaints about Mac compatibility, although it appears one person did get it running on Snow Leopard. ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2011, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/s-video-to-mac-for-under-50/572400/20 "2011-02-25T05:41:48Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > That’s the Windows version, and the product appears to have terrible reviews, both on Amazon and on the Apple web site. My bad. The Mac version is $65.28 on Amazon. > [@](#): > > Reading the reviews, I’d also be skeptical–lots of complaints about Mac compatibility, although it appears one person did get it running on Snow Leopard. All of these devices get pretty crappy reviews and they take a lot of playing around with and experimenting with different software to get it right. There are four reviewers that apparently had success with it on Macs.