IT Services Guides

Video Digitising on the Macs

An overview of this (unsupported) facility
IT Services Guide M7.1
Author: David Riddle
Version 4.1, August 2005

The main video digitising systems available for Open Access use are located in the Macintosh Multimedia Zone outside the Help Desk in ISC100. However, all OS-X Open Access Macs now have iMovie video editing software installed and all but the coloured CRT iMacs and B/W G3 systems have FireWire interfaces allowing the attachment DV camcorders.

The Macintosh Multimedia Zone outside the Help Desk has three G4/533 (CD-RW) computer systems, a G4/733 (DVD-RW), and a 20" LCD iMac (DVD-RW), all of which have FireWire connections for use with DV camcorders. All have iMovie software installed. The machines are capable of editing video input via FireWire, and can output material edited with iMovie to a DV-deck or to a DV-camera with DV-in capability (none of this hardware is available from Computer Services, although FireWire cables can be borrowed from the Help Desk).

The G4/733, all the 15", 17" and 20" LCD iMacs have DVD burners and copies of iDVD installed which allows the creation of basic DVD interfaces and DVD-ROM disks from edited material.

N.B. These DV systems by default cannot input composite or S-video from VHS decks or standard VHS, VHS-C, 8mm or Hi-8 cameras, unless this signal is taken in via a DV-camera such as the Canon DV-300i, a DV-deck or an adaptor box such as the Canopus.

All systems should be capable of working with full-screen windows and can output at 25fps.

A full Final Cut Pro editing suite is also available in the Media Resources Centre on the Ground Floor of the Library. This suite is available for booking, but can only currently be used by those students and staff who are familiar with the use of the application. A DV-deck and other transfer facilities such as analogue VHS or S-Video to DV-tape systems are also available in the Centre. However, comprehensive support for Final Cut Pro is not yet available.