Answered By: Information Commons
Last Updated: Jun 17, 2022     Views: 374

VHS to DVD Conversion

Located in the Rich Media section of the library is a Mac that has a video capture and conversion program. This process can take up to 4 hours, so make sure to be patient. Remember, not all DVD's can be burned due to copyright laws.

Click here for instructions with pictures

Open Roxio Video Editor

  1. Using the “Video capture” area in the Rich Media Center, log in to the Mac using your Butler credentials
  2. Open Finder , then search for Roxio Video Capture
  3. Accept the license agreement
  4. Insert the VCR you wish to convert into the large gray VCR player to the left of the Mac.
    • Ensure that the VCR/DVD player is set to read the VCR and not the DVD. To do so, push the VCR/DVD button on the right side of the VCR/DVD player. You will see VCR illuminated by the time to show that you have selected VCR

Record using Roxio Video Capture

  1. Within the Roxio video editor application on the Mac, name your video, check the auto-stop after box, choose how long you want to record your video, and set the quality of the capture to high.
    • The auto-stop after function is an estimate that can be found on the VHS tape. Always set your record time a little over the actual time of the VHS, then delete the extra time after you have finished recorder.
    • The recording occurs in real-time. For a 60-minute video, it will take 60 minutes for the conversion.
  2. You may wish to rewind or fast forward to a specific point of your video if you only want to capture a specific segment.
    • To rewind or fast forward, use the <<REW or >>FF buttons on the VHS player.
  3. When the preview window in the Roxio Video Capture app shows the point from which you would like to begin recording, click the red Record button
  4. When you are ready to end your recording, click the red Stop button in the Roxio Video Capture app. Alternatively, wait for your recording to auto-stop after the set time limit.
  5. By default, captured movies will be saved in the Roxio Video Capture folder located within the Movies folder on the Mac.
  6. Once you have stopped recording a video, it will appear in a preview window.
    • To watch the video from the beginning, click the Play button within the app
    • To advance to a specific portion of the recording, drag the Playhead on the yellow line to the desired position, then click Play.
  7. If you do not want to edit your video, click Finish and your video will be saved to the Roxio Video Capture folder within the Movies folder on the Mac.

Edit your Video

Use Roxio Video Capture Trim Tool

  1. To trim content at the beginning or end of the video: Drag the Start point and/or End point triangles to the desired trimming position and click Finish,
  2. To trim content in the middle of a recording: Drag the Playhead approximately to where you would like to trim. Click on the Add Trim Points button. Two new trim triangles will appear which can be dragged to the desired point. Then click Finish.

Use iMovie

  1. Launch iMovie 11
  2. Import the video clip you created in Roxio
    • In iMovie, click File > Import > Movies
    • Navigate to your Movies folder and open Roxio Video Capture folder
    • Select the movie you would like to import into iMovie
    • Select the drive that iMovie will use to store the imported video from the Save To drop-down menu, along with any other options you desire
    • Click Import
  3. For tutorials on using iMovie, log in to hoonuit.butler.edu using your Butler credentials, search for iMovie, and you will find video training modules.

Export to DVD

Note: Irwin Library does not provide blank DVDs or DVD cases.

  1. Insert a blank DVD into the portable DVD writer (located to the right of the Mac)
  2. A pop-up window will appear on screen
  3. In the Action field, select Open Finder from the drop-down menu, then select OK.
  4. Open a new Finder window. The blank CD or DVD will appear in the right sidebar
  5. Drag and drop your edited video clip onto the DVD
  6. When you have transferred all files, click Burn.
  7. Enter a name for the CD or DVD in the Disc Name field. Click Burn. The Mac will burn the disc.
  8. Eject the disc by clicking on the arrow symbol.