Is this the device?
Elgato Video Capture - Digitize Video for Mac, PC or iPad (USB 2.0)
It’s supposed to be available on Amazon on October 25, for $87.99.
I’m guessing it will go in and out of availability. First I have to check if our very old VCR player still works. So no rush.
Yes, that’s it.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0029U2YSA/ref=cm_cr_arp_mb_bdcrb_top?ie=UTF8
I still have 11 tapes that are mini DV but my old camcorder doesn’t work, so I’ll need to find one that works or pay for those to be transferred.
My old VCR ate one tape, but I took it apart and got it working again.
The Elgato is a bit expensive, but it cost me less than a dollar a tape- much cheaper than sending them out. Also, there was no worry about a company losing or damaging tapes.
Another idea- check with your local library. My library just started checking out a variety of devices- and added one of these to their collection!
Just looked up Walmart and a few other stores. They seem to have them
I am not sure I understand why you need both a working camcorder and an elgato device? I only had a working camcorder but I was able to connect the camcorder output to my laptop and transfer the video to the laptop that way. I had originally assumed that the elgato device was a replacement for the camcorder + allowed for video to transfer easily but it looks like that isn’t the case.
Or is this primarily if you don’t have the actual camcorder tape(s) and only have VHS tapes?
VCR produces an analog signal. Elgato or similar devices convert the analog signals to a digital one. Not sure what @arisamp means by “actual camcorder tape(s)” vs. “VHS tapes”----aren’t they one and the same?
The Elgato device converts analog to digital. Years ago I could connect a camcorder to my computer directly with a FireWire but the transfer was a little difficult if I recall, and required software on the computer to convert it. I only transferred two or three tapes and quit.
The Elgato takes the signal from the VHS tape, VHS-C mini tape or mini DV tape via VCR or camcorder and converts it to digital - and gives you choices for where/how to save the video. (Such as an upload to YouTube or mp4 to your computer.)
H and I laugh whenever we see the commercial for Legacybox.com, which asks if you have any videos that are “degrading.” We know the ad means “wasting away,” but the other meaning is just hysterical, at least to us old folks. We’re thinking of checking the service out for our old tapes.