VHS to DVD conversion

Spiderman

Administrator
Staff member
Has anyone done this on their own or know anything about it? Would it be better to buy a VHS/DVD recorder machine or get a card for the computer so it can take analog input and do it through it?
 

Ransac

CPA Trash Man
Well, no matter what you do, you'll have to have a machine that actually read the magnetic tape on the tape, which means that there will be some abnormalities.... because that's what tapes do. I'm not sure of any other methods than those you mentioned, but I think the analog input method sounds easier.


Ransac, cpa trash man
 

Mooseman

Isengar Tussle
I do believe the biggest impact you'll have is the AD converter (analog to digital).
Make sure you get a good one. Look into good video capture boards for your computer.
video capture board
An expansion board that provides inputs and outputs for analog and digital video. It is used to link video cameras, camcorders and tape decks to the computer for editing. Analog video inputs are converted to digital YUV or RGB color spaces for processing and converted back to analog formats for analog destinations. Capture boards that support SDI connections are used for high-end video editing.


Check out this company for more information http://www.pinnaclesys.com/PublicSite/us/Home/
 
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sageridder

Guest
I went with a vcr/dvd combo machine. If you go this route stay away from sharp products. they seem to fail after a year or so and the customer support is horrible the cost of shipping and repair of our unit was as much as a new machine. After that first bad experence we researched them with consumer reports and came up with the Panasonic DMR-ES35V it costs around $200 at bestbuy, target, ect. I would highly recommend this machine. It is easy to use (altho the writing of the manual could be clearer) you can record either way vhs/dvd or dvd/vhs it supports + or - r and rw you can record 2,4,6,or 8 hrs onto a dvd, or use flexable record to accomadate more if you want. You can label the movies within the menu I usally put 3 on a disc and the quality is at least as good as the vhs you start with in most cases it's a little better, after you finalize the dvd it can be viewed on any machine or computer or copied again. This machine is a 2 head vcr, they have a DMR-ES35 something model that is 4 head that is only slightly more and is what I wanted but could not find locally, if you go with one of these DO NOT use one touch record set up each recording with the menus otherwise it's to easy to have the recording direction reversed and blank your tape. All in all I'm very happy with mine and found it more convenient than adding a card and switch cables back and forth from vcr to comp and tv this way also allows you to adjust volume and tracking before recording if needed not sure if you can do that if going from vcr to computer.
 

Spiderman

Administrator
Staff member
Thanks sageridder.

That actually sounds best as I just now remember *knocks head* that I don't have a DVD burner in my computer and would have to get one. I think I was thinking that way because I could also use the analog card to plug in my cassettes and convert them to MP3s/burn them to CD (I do have a CD burner), but the movies are a bigger priority right now.
 
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Nightstalkers

Guest
Or you can get one of them VHS to PC converter boxes they sell... go checkout your local Fry's Electronics, Best Buy, CompUSA, or Circuit City for either an adapter box or a video card that has the "all-in-one" combo with it. Most of these come with one program or another you have to figure out to get the compression just right to fit it onto whatever format DVD, Blu-Rei, or HD-DVD you are putting your stuff onto.

Yeah, I gave up on it after messin' with Pinnacle Studio... it's annoying to figure out but after you get a hang of it all you have to do is watch the films through and then shut it down manually.
 
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DarthFerret

Guest
Spiderman said:
That actually sounds best as I just now remember *knocks head* that I don't have a DVD burner in my computer and would have to get one.

You don't have a DVD burner in your computer? When was it built, the stone ages? :rolleyes:
 

Spiderman

Administrator
Staff member
Hey now, it was built in the Dark Ages, not the Stone Age! :D

It's a couple of years old; my computer before it just had a CD player, not even a CD writer or a DVD player :)
 
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EricBess

Guest
Now we know why Spiderman only posts while at work. With his computer at home, he needs to chisle everything into the stone tablet and it simply takes too long to keep up.
 

Ransac

CPA Trash Man
No no no! It's not that old! He has to use a printing press to get all of his posts!


Ransac, cpa trash man
 
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Nightstalkers

Guest

Dear Spiderman,
We're sorry to inform you that we will no longer be supporting your version of Computer Use® for Life 2.2®.
We suggest either upgrading your current program or to purchase another program from our catalog.

Sincerely,
Life Productions Staff

P.S. Have you thought of upgrading to Wife 3.6® yet? It's our newest upgrade and we think you'll hate love it
 
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DarthFerret

Guest
But you could diminish that hell by installing the optional programs Flowers 2.3 and Diamonds 4.5 (although the later is a very expensive program). Warning!!!! Do not try to use any offbrand product for this application, such as Cubic Zirconium 1.2!!!
 
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Nightstalkers

Guest
The only freeware program we have out is Out With The Guys Beta. This program has been known to cause conflicts with Wife Beta and above.
 

Oversoul

The Tentacled One
sageridder said:
I went with a vcr/dvd combo machine. If you go this route stay away from sharp products. they seem to fail after a year or so and the customer support is horrible the cost of shipping and repair of our unit was as much as a new machine.
Our Emerson broke down, but the part that broke down was the VCR and that happened with all the other VCR's here too. And yet the 80's VCR we had at our old house lasted over 15 years. Maybe VCR's really hate humidity...
 
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Nightstalkers

Guest
The theory about older stuff is.... if it will last, it'll last. If it won't, it usually made it into the garbage by the time the decade was over.

Yeah, I'm one of those people who has a turn table from the 1800s and it still works. Horrible sound comes out of it when you try doin' any blues or anything by the beatles/beach boys....
 
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