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Hi, I am thinking of getting a mini-DVI adapter but before I do I would like to know if I can play my video tapes thru my computer from my vcr. I have an iMac with intel dual core duo which I bought about 2 weeks ago

Not with a Mini-DVI adapter. That would let you connect your computer to another display of some kind so you can output video from the computer. You can either mirror what is on the iMac's screen on the external display, or show a separate image (normally an expanded desktop).

There are three different Mini-DVI adapters, depending on what your external display uses: DVI, VGA or Video (S-Video/Composite).

If you want to get video from an external source to display on your iMac's screen, you would need a video input device of some kind. One possible solution is an EyeTV. I have an EyeTV Hybrid, which is primarily an analog and digital terrestrial TV receiver but it also has composite and S-Video inputs, which can be used to connect a VCR and either view or capture video from a VHS tape. The EyeTV Hybrid costs in the ballpark of $300, and most other video input devices would be more expensive (but possibly better quality).

There are other solutions, such as hooking up the VCR to the analog input of a digital video camera, connecting the camera to the computer, putting the camera in pass-through mode, and using iMovie to capture video. (Not all DV cameras support this.)

Hi, Thanks for the info. Now I know where to look and what to use. Your help is much appreciated
Jim M