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General discussion

How do I download vhs videotapes from my VCR to my PC ?

Dec 6, 2005 1:03AM PST

Hi - I am TOTALLY CONFUSED about the best way to go on this... I have gotten SO MANY different things told to me by technical people, sales people, IT people. It's a simple question:

How do I download my Standard VHS videotapes from my VCR to my Dell XPS 400 computer for editing purposes? (please don't mention Anything about camcorders - I'm only using my regular VCR for this)

Do I use a Video Converter, a Video Capture Device, a Video Capture Card or Media Converter?

Which is the BEST method to use? And which is the BEST Brand/Model converter/device/card to buy? The one thing I am REALLY concerned about is preserveing 100% picture quality in the analog-to-digital conversion - retaining as much clarity, sharpness and color of the original VHS videotapes as possible.

P.S. I'm not looking for an editing sofware to go with this either - I already have a terrific semi-pro editing program on my computer.

I would be so thankful for anyone's knowledgeable, expert advice.

Sincerely,

Larry Brooks

Discussion is locked

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That's the problem.
Dec 6, 2005 1:24AM PST

You asked for the BEST solution. I can't tell you that but will share I use an under 49 buck ATI or Hauppaugge PCI TV and capture card. The supplied software lets me capture and then I'm off to other software to edit, create the DVD.

Best of luck in your search for the BEST.

Bob

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Did it work??
Dec 8, 2005 3:12AM PST

Larry, will you let me know if you were able to get VHS on your PC and what you did? Thanks.

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Downloading VHS video to PC
Jan 9, 2006 6:04AM PST

Hi,

In answer to your message, I've decided to do this by a rather expensive route - instead of using a video capture card or video capture device, after doing MUCH reseach on the net, I'm going to buy a special video converter called the Canopus ADVC-300. Not only does it convert vhs to digial, but it also enhances/cleans up the image; removes noise and stabilizes the image. The cost is goes from $450 - $550, depending on where you buy it from (search the net). This is the highest end "Pro-consumer" converter one can buy, and also the absolute best. I'm going with it because I require a very sharp image in my PC, because I want to add some CGI to the footage I have. Plus, I will be manipulating the footage also, probably with an effects software like Commotion.

Hope this helps. If not, I recommend going to a site called AfterDawn.com and reading the many messages in their Video Capture Forum. Lord, they have Tons of real experts chiming in, constantly.

Larry

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How do I download vhs videotapes from my VCR to my
Dec 13, 2005 2:11AM PST
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Getting VHS tapes to PC
Jan 8, 2006 6:06AM PST

Hi, I have used ADS DVD Xpress and also Pinnacle Studio MovieBox 9 USB 2.0 to transfer VHS tapes to my computer.There is a small box that is hooked up to your VHS tape recorder and then run a USB cable to your computer from the box. The box is a device to change analog video to digital video.Open the program, insert the VHS tape into your VCR, and play the tape. The tape gets copied onto your hard drive. When burning the video from your hard drive to a DVD make certain you have 2 hours or less video to copy because the DVD disk will only hold 2 hours of video. If your VHS tapes hold 2 hours or less of video, the ADS DVD Xpress can put the video directly onto a DVD.Hope this helps.