VHS capture with a Mac mini and AJA Io LA?

[latreche34]

When it comes to Mac I'm like an idiot in a control room, Have no clue what was/is out there, Being a PC guy my entire life, Anyway what latptops or Mac minis should I get and what version of iOS that works with Aja's software?

I found this handy link about Mac devices that have firewire.

[jjdd]

Quote:

Originally Posted by latreche34

When it comes to Mac I'm like an idiot in a control room, Have no clue what was/is out there, Being a PC guy my entire life, Anyway what latptops or Mac minis should I get and what version of iOS that works with Aja's software?

I found this handy link about Mac devices that have firewire.

if you look at the link i did post there you can see what Macbook pro's can run Snow Leopard 10.6.8

if i did read right then Macbook Pro's from 2006 to 2011 can run Snow Leopard 10.6.8

Mac Mini from 2006 to 2010 can run Snow Leopard 10.6.8

two example

https://www.macupgrades.co.uk/store/mac/MC375LL-A#ram

https://www.macupgrades.co.uk/store/mac/MC724LL-A#cab


and if it does not have firewire but it has thunderbolt then you need this adapter

Apple Thunderbolt to FireWire Adapter and Firewire 800 to Firewire 400 adapter

[latreche34]

Why the requirement for Snow Leopard 10.6.8? Is it Aja software or something else? Is this the DVD I need?

[jjdd]

Quote:

Originally Posted by latreche34

Why the requirement for Snow Leopard 10.6.8? Is it Aja software or something else? Is this the DVD I need?

i can not be 100% sure if that Install DVD works or not but i think so but that one does not work on Mac Pro 5.1 it needs a special version
Mac Pro 5.1 is a desktop computer not a Laptop

here is the Latest Drivers for Aja IO LA and it say Snow Leopard
https://www.aja.com/support/item/512

[latreche34]

I'm thinking about a Mac mini with firewire 400 now, They are small, All what's needed is a monitor, Keyboard and a mouse which any Mac guy should have anyway.

[jjdd]

Quote:

Originally Posted by latreche34

I'm thinking about a Mac mini with firewire 400 now, They are small, All what's needed is a monitor, Keyboard and a mouse which any Mac guy should have anyway.

yes and Mac mini is cheaper then the other models i think

here was more driver and software stuff to the Aja IO LA

https://www.aja.com/support/legacy/io

[jjdd]

maybe you need Superdrive USB 2.0 Part Number: MD564ZM/A
to boot the Install DVD on a Mac Mini i'm not sure if regular PC usb DVD drive can boot

or you can create boot usb memory stick of the dvd i think not 100%


SuperDrive look like this

[latreche34]

I will get the one with built in DVD drive like this one.

[jjdd]

Quote:

Originally Posted by latreche34

I will get the one with built in DVD drive like this one.

ok looks good

[jjdd]

Hi it looks like Aja IO LA works also on OSX Mountain Lion 10.8.5

but only with the latest ProIO_ControlPanel_v1.2 that also give you the new Firmware version 5.8 to the AJA IO LA

and driver version AJA_Io_v3.1 and the Capture software AJA_VTR_Xchangev4

so all those 3 files you need to get AJA IO LA to work

one more thing you need also for AJA_VTR_Xchangev4 to work and recognise AJA IO LA is to copy QT .component files to
Library/Quicktime/ folder

here is the guide how to do it and the files https://studioartist.ning.com/forum/...mac-if-you-don

the QT .component files look like this in the picture "Appel_Prores_codec.png" that you copy to the Library/Quicktime/ folder


otherwise you have to install Final Cut to get AJA_VTR_Xchangev4 to work

[jjdd]

Hi here is the right pinout and Input and Output of AJA IO LA Audio Cable

and a picture of my own DIY AJA IO LA Cable

[jjdd]

it's possible to use AJA IO LA as stand-alone unit like a some kind of TBC

but you need ProIO_ControlPanel_v1.2 to change setting if needed then you can disconnect it from the computer and use it like a some kind of stand-alone TBC pass-thru

[srmusico]

Hi guys! I have also a working unit of AJA IO Firewire (NOT "LA" model)

I have been looking how to get it working right and how it works in different systems.

Actually I have it working perfectly in Mac OsX Mavericks 10.9.5 , also working in Mountain Lion, Lion, Leopard and Snow Leopard .

Quote:

it's possible to use AJA IO LA as stand-alone unit like a some kind of TBC

Does this AJA have TBC features?

I have other AJA capture cards, Black Magic and Matrox cards. The most "stable" capture card is my Matrox MXO2 LE MAX.

My AJA IO and AJA Kona LHi needs a really stable input signal. If not, there are dropframes. I use a DMR ES10 to get "fixed" my signal in my AJA Captures.


As soon as i can, i would create a complete post comparing how these capture cards (and some more like Pinnacle 510) works with the same VCR input.