Vhs To Dvd

[geronimo]

I have been asked by a school to help them to copy about 250 VHS tapes onto DVD. They are prepared to purchase a computer specifically for the job. We have the VCR player already. Do I need a vid capture card? I know I'll need a DVD writer ... and a huge HDD any other ideas about computer spec? also what application would do the job?

Thanks in advance, this forum is a mine of info!!!

[solo siam]

Why not just buy a DVD recorder? there's no need for a whole PC.

[pumper]

I am sure someone will have better info than I.

I am doing same same .. thankfully less than 250 VHS tapes.

I purchased a plextor 'USB video input' device .. under us$100. (seems it was $79. from a online closeout hardware web site)

it has stereo RCA audio / video input =yellow RCA + S-Video.

can edit my sony hi-8 camcorder video via the inputs

the software that came with it allows for editing & saving the video in a variety of compressions.

& allows for output to assorted formats including DIVX, VCD, DVD ..

+ wmv & avi for "poor-er quality files" for internet viewing

I save the files in the highest quality I can. The original files seem to be proprietary to my device, windows media player does not recognize .. + I must output to to another format for my DVD player to recognize.

output is slower than input.

none of the 'high end' software from Pantip recognizes my plextor device .. I must use the software that came with it.

the software that came with the input device is sufficient for my use .. has transitions + ability to add text .. can capture .jpgs from the video.

some of the hardware input devices only allow low quality video input + there are different 'quality' of file compressions

the plextor unit i got allows for 'high quality files' .. but in reality the files are of lower quality than the original VHS .. far better than internet video but less than the original.

real time recording .. play the tape, it appears in a window & is recorded to HD.

i got a usb HD for the video files.

the device requires XP, I have 1 gig RAM + I added the 250 gig usb2 HD

recording of tapes requires monitoring, no auto shut off.. 2 hour tapes require patience.

Edited June 4, 2007 by pumper

[Jiu-Jitsu]

Listen to Ben...... A 'stand alone' DVD recorder can cost as little as 5000 baht.

An example to be found here; http://direct.tesco.com/q/R.100-9237.aspx

http://direct.tesco.com/buyersguide/dvd%20recorder.aspx

It's a simple as connecting the two machine using Scart or RCA(phono) plugs and selecting the correct input on the DVD recorder.

If you intending to copy shop bought pre-recorded tapes, be aware that you could encounter 'copy protection'.

[Cyberstar]

Since the school doesn't have a computer but now is willing to buy one - let them buy it. Maybe they'll realize that computers can be used for other things than copying videos.

What you need is what nowadays is called a TV-card that goes into a PCI slot. You can get them all over Thailand for 1500-2000 baht. They usually come with input for TV-antenna, radio, composite video, and S-video. Here in Chiang Mai all the shops had only the very same two brands "FlyTV" and one I don't remember right now. I have one of each on two different computers. My VHS-tapes doesn't loose any quality when captured through either. I have tried out a whole bunch of software I got on a CD - a special offer for 100 Baht. Both cards works perfecly with most of the programs (not all). Ulead Moviefactory seems to be a good choice.

An extra benefit is that - in case the school really don't know what else to use the computer for - they've got an extra TV and radio (or an extra screen to watch the videos on).

[Jiu-Jitsu]

A waste of money to buy a computer, unless they specifically need one or want to edit the video footage.

[astral]

It could be also be a waste of time to buy the DVD recorder.

Not something the school will use in the long run.

Though they are VERY easy to use.

The computer is probably the better long term investment.

[geronimo]

Why not just buy a DVD recorder? there's no need for a whole PC.

Thanks that's exactly what I'll do!

[Jiu-Jitsu]

It could be also be a waste of time to buy the DVD recorder.

Not something the school will use in the long run.

Though they are VERY easy to use.

The computer is probably the better long term investment.

Remember, they are transferring VHS to DVD, so they'll need a DVD player anyway. The recording facility is a bonus.

Anyway, the decision has been made.

The computer conversion method is labour and processor intensive and expensive.