How to best import my vhs tapes for storage and use in FCPX

Hey! I'm trying to transfer a lot of precious VHS material to digital, and have bought FCPX. I'm using ADVC110 to capture and the videos import fine directly into my library in fcpx. But because of the time-code breaks in old VHSs, it is a bit messy with many little clips, and I'm concerned if it is the best way to store the raw data. I've read that for storage purposes it can be better to create camera archives of the material first. However, when I've tried that, the archive file is grayed out and in the finder it is 0 bytes. I just really want a safe and secure way to capture, store and organize my raw data before the tapes deteriorate. And am very confused as to which approach is best. Any suggestions would greatly appreciated!

Hi Sibeal, welcome to the forum.

Digitizing VHS has always been tricky because of the absence of a real timecode track. Because there is no timecode track, you won't be able to capture the tape as a camera archive in FCP X. VHS tapes can also contain drops and glitches that will cause interruptions in the digitized files. Unfortunately, the ADVC 110 does not provide time base correction to compensate these drops and FCP X will create new clips with every little glitch in your tape.

So if you experience a lot of difficulties capturing with FCP X, you could try to capure the tapes using QuickTime X instead. QTX ususally disregards little drops and glitches and just records the errors in the video file.

- Ronny

Thanks Ronny! I was afraid of that. I might try QTX.

Thanks again for your reply!