I have a nestbox for birds that contains a small CCTV camera. This has phono-type outputs for video and sound, plus a connector that allows them to be connected to a SCART input on a TV/VCR. I just wondered if anyone knew whether I could connect the camera to my Powerbook? Obviously I'd need software to record and review the images, but there seem to be programs around that will do that. What I'm really unsure about is whether I need some kind of video capture card, and how I go about connecting all the wiring up (most of the connections on the PB seem to be in the 'out' direction rather than in). Be very grateful for any advice!
- Kitty.
Powerbook G4 Mac OS X (10.3.8)

Your CCTV camera most likely has a "composite video" output on the phono-type connector for video, and line-level audio output (although a bit rare for a CCTV camera to also have a microphone to provide audio).

You would need a video analog-to-digital converter box like one of these to interface to your Powerbook:
http://www.canopus.com/products/videoconversion.php
These converters connect with the Firewire port on the PB, then you can use iMovie to record and play the video. Be aware that iMovie uses 13GB of disk space per hour of recording, although you can compress that file into a much smaller Quicktime movie afterwards.

15" std rez AlBook 1.67GHz, among others Mac OS X (10.4.7)

Thanks very much, Louie, that's exactly what I needed to know. I've found a basic DV converter from the page you suggested that will work with the security surveillance software I'm using to record the images (which has the advantage of only recording when motion is detected, to avoid storing hours of pictures of an empty nestbox), and I think I've got everything I need now. Well, except a small bird who's willing to be spied on through the nesting season, I suppose!

Thanks again for your help, much appreciated.

Powerbook G4 ? Mac OS X (10.3.8) ?

Powerbook G4 Mac OS X (10.3.8)