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General discussion

How do I transfer my vhs tapes onto a dvd using my computer

Jun 26, 2004 1:38PM PDT

I recently went to bestbuy asking how I could transfer my vhs tapes onto dvd witout having to spend 400 dollars . I was sold a dvd burner and a device called "dazzle"which includes pinnacle software.I installed my dvd burner first and the software that came with it (also pinnacle).When I started to install the software that came with dazzle..i received a message that the version of pinnacle that came with dazzle was an older version that what I had installed with my dvd burner.I had all sorts of problems from my computer locking up to not having any sound.I have since fixed that problem and plan to take "dazzle " back to bestbuy but I need to know the correct way to transfer my vhs tapes onto a dvd using my dvd-rw drive and either a vcr or older camcorder without causing anymore computer problems...hope someone can help me.

Discussion is locked

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Re: How do I transfer my vhs tapes onto a dvd using my compu
Jun 26, 2004 4:28PM PDT

You may not like to spend $400 but I bet that you will be much happier if you did.

But if you must, then here are two capturing devices that I would recommand (nothing less will do).

http://www.mwave.com/mwave/viewspec.hmx?scriteria=3371987

http://www.mwave.com/mwave/viewspec.hmx?scriteria=1238814

I personally have use the adaptec; but I would preferred the Plextor for because it has the mpeg4 support.
I might also added that if your computer doesn't have usb2.0 then you will need to add a usb 2.0 adaptor as will (about $20).
What kind of hardwares and OS do you have?

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Re: How do I transfer my vhs tapes onto a dvd using my compu
Jun 27, 2004 3:07AM PDT

I have a pentium 4 compaq with windows xp

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Re: How do I transfer my vhs tapes onto a dvd using my compu
Jun 27, 2004 4:41AM PDT

I think this was maybe just a software conflict problem.....I plan to take "dazzle" back and get plexor convertx and hope it works for me this time.If anyone has any input...it would be appreciated...

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Re: How do I transfer my vhs tapes onto a dvd using my compu
Jun 27, 2004 11:17AM PDT

I hope XP is using NTFS file format because with ntfs you won't have the 4GB. limit to worry about. Good luck and have fun.

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Re: How do I transfer my vhs tapes onto a dvd using my compu
Jul 16, 2004 1:23AM PDT

I bought the Plextor Convertex digital video converter you suggested and I am very pleased with how easy it is to use.I was wondering though..once you have used the 24+ hours of recording time..how do you erase or delete everything you have recorded and dont want to save anymore so that you can record more?

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Re: How do I transfer my vhs tapes onto a dvd using my compu
Jul 16, 2004 2:23AM PDT

I am not familiar with the software/s that comes with your unit but in my own situation I usually create my own folder/s and put the movie contends in there; so all I do is just to delete the folder/s.

Tip: as time goes along and if you find that computer seems to move a bit slower, it maybe a good idea to DEFRAG your harddrive. In my case, I need to do that often.

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Re: How do I transfer my vhs tapes onto a dvd using my compu
Jul 16, 2004 3:05AM PDT

I am surprised that you have that many hours on the harddrive (you must have a BIGGGG harddrive then..). I normally just work with one or two tapes at a time.

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Re: How do I transfer my vhs tapes onto a dvd using my compu
Jul 16, 2004 4:26AM PDT

I have a 3 ghz harddrive but I think you misunderstood what I meant..the Intervideo WinDVD software that came with plextor shows 24 hours and so many minutes left of recording time...I just wanted to know how to erase what I wasnt using anymore.

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Advice
Jul 16, 2004 2:35PM PDT

Before buying any software or hardware, read as many user reviews as possible. For example, if you visit Amazon's site and read the user reviews about Pinnacle, you'll see that 75% or so of those listed had problems. When the numbers get that high it usually means something.

In your last post (at the bottom of this thread), you mention 3GHz as the size of your hard drive, and having 24 hours of "recording time." Something is very wrong here. 3GHz is the speed of your processor, and not a value for drive storage capacity. You may have a hard drive with 80GB or 160 GB of space, but 24 hours of true digital video would take up 12GB per hour, which means you'd have to have one of at least 300GB to hold it plus whatever else is installed or stored on your PC. As far as I know, only a customized "hand built" PC would have such capacity. I'm wondering if that figure doesn't mean video that's been converted to MPEG-2, which would be compressed and take up much less space. (?)

Anyway, if you could be more accurate with the details and check around before buying, you will be able to get better help and avoid the mistakes that so many (myself included) have made.

It took me around $700 worth of soft- and hardware to reach the point of being able to make nice DVDs from my tapes. But now I find that it takes too much time and is really not worth the trouble. Until the tape is in questionable condition and as long as my VCR plays it so nicely.... why bother?

Good luck to you.

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Re: Advice
Jul 16, 2004 4:42PM PDT

My tuition wasn't quit that bad but I estimated it was still over $400 though. Live and learn..right? So what did you end up with? My is adaptec "dvd media center" usb2. Not perfect but not so bad at all.

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How do I transfer my tapes to my computer
Feb 14, 2005 6:57AM PST

How did it cost you $700.00 The Plextor rig is about
$150.and a DVD burner is another $150.. or less. Is there something else needed.
By the way your advice was very helpful.

Kingferret

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I can't add to your last thread so...
Jul 16, 2004 4:16PM PDT

I will reply here. On windvd creator I believe the default folder is C:\my documents\my video; so go in there and delete whatever video contents you no longer need.

I personal don't use windvd that much but I do have that program in my computer. So feel free to ask anything about it and I will try to answer if I can.