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General discussion

transferring home movie VHS tapes to DVD

Sep 8, 2005 4:40AM PDT

I am embarking on process of transferring all my home movies made in tape format (VHS) to DVD. I have been recommended two ways: buy a dvd recorder with hardrive and edit and the second way, buy something like Pinnacle Movie Deluxe (or like product)and transfer through my PC. Which is best way? any opinions?
roddy

Discussion is locked

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transferring home movie VHS tapes to DVD
Sep 8, 2005 5:27AM PDT

It depends on what YOU want to do!!
The easest way is just to get a stand alone DVD recorder,
play on the VHS, record on the DVD recorder.

To edit your home movies you will need to use PC.
Import it to the PC ,edit and burn to DVD. there are many
programs many are free, check out the multimedia fourm.
You will need a video capture card and a DVD burner for your PC. Here is a link with good info. John

http://www.timwerx.net/odds/pcfile.htm

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some editing
Sep 14, 2005 9:10AM PDT

I'd like to do some editing. I have about 30 days. Almost always there will editing needed or leaving some recorded stuff off the final dvd. I'm not a computer whiz. I just don't trust sending off all my tapes for conversion and editing.
Da

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VHS to computer
Sep 14, 2005 10:05AM PDT

And once you get your computer and software ready for VHS import, the last step will be to find a hardware method of taking the analog output of VHS converted to DV for editing. I think you have two choices: If you have tons of VHS, buy a good quality hardware converter like those made by Canopus. These do not need any software drivers and that type is typically best. Second method is to use a DV camcorder that has what is called "passthrough", which will take analog input and convert it to DV. Basically, this type of camcorder will do what the Canopus device will do. Good luck and have fun. Once you get it set up, you'll become a videoeditholic.

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Transferring Film/Home Movies to Digital Suggestions
Sep 22, 2005 1:48PM PDT

So you have some old films or video that you would like to transfer digitally to either VCD or DVD and you are not sure how to do it. One thing is for sure, you definitely need to transfer these to either VCD or DVD. The fact is film deteriorates, fades out and cracks, as well as any type of magnetic film format. If for anything, you need to preserve your family's history to keep an archive of your family's history for generations to come. You actually have a couple of options available to you, both of which will cost you a small investment, but will be well worth the investment in the end.

You can purchase the equipment and supplies and convert them on your own, as long as you have a fairly decent PC with a fair amount of hard drive space and speed, as well as a 8mm or DV video camera. First off you will need to purchase an 8mm/Super 8 film projector. Preferably a duel projector that is capable of projecting both formats. This can be obtained through E-Bay from anywhere between $50-100. Then you will need to purchase a film to video converter which runs anywhere between $10-25. This can be obtained through EBay, as well. Finally you will need to purchase a digital video converter for your PC. You can get a fairly good one for about $100. Make sure that it is compatible with your PC before purchasing it, though. Once you have all of your equipment and have set up your editing software, you can now begin to shot your film through the converter and capture it onto your video camera. Then you will need to take the recorded video of your films and load them up to your PC via your digital converter and software.

The other option you have is to go through a film transferring service. The cost of this all depends on how much film you have to be converted. Typically this can be on the average between $100-200. So as you see, the options are technically the same in costs, however, it all depends on whether you want to invest your time in transferring them on your own.

I specialize in transferring 8mm and Super8 film to VCD and DVD, so if you would like, I can give you a fair estimate on what your films would cost to transfer them to either VCD or DVD. Just email me how many reels you have along with the diameters of each at kovitch@familyarchives.info. Check out my website for additional information at www.familyarchives.info.

Good luck in what ever you decide to do!

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I have done tons of video to DVD and have learned lots.
Sep 22, 2005 11:34PM PDT

If you only have limited time and interest in learning software. I would do it like this VCR->DV camcorder(for DV tape backup)->DVD recorder. You will have your DVDs and be in good shape with a DV back up that will long outlast your VHS tapes.

I started out going the PC hardware card way of converting my analog video (VHS and 8mm tapes) to dvd. I bought a Matrox card. It came with Adobe Premier to edit and and also an included program to author nad burn the DVDs.

Now I use Adobe's Video Collection Professional. With out going through a big long explaination I'll just say I grew through the process and now I can produce professional quality DVDs that I am very happy with. If you decide to go the PC route be sure and know the system req of the software you are going to use. Ram is king, get lots.

I strongly recommend using a digital camcorder with pass through analog to DV conversion. The quality is excellent with the Sony units. There is a benefit to doing it this way that I recomend in the strongest terms. You can and should make a DV tape backup of you analog tapes while you are bringing them into your computer.

It works like this. Connect your VCR to your DV camcorder via standard RCA jacks. Connect your DV camcorder to your computer via IEEE 1394/firewire. Push record on the DV camcorder and play on the VCR. Do what ever your editing program says to record into the computer. You can, of course, also just make the DV tape back up with out the computer being attached. EVERYBODY should be doing this right now as thier VHS tapes are fading and DV tapes are said to be stable for thirty years. Buys you time to figure it all out.

This way you will have a digital tape back up of the analog material. Put that tape somewhere safe. DVD is NOT an archival medium. The disks can easily get scratched or damaged. The video on DVDs is compressed so it is not all there and editing it later is problematic at best. DVD formats are in a state of flux. There may be a time in the future when you will not be able to play the disks you are making now except on old fashioned player. Much like the beta/VHS thing.

Do not bleieve the hype of computer manufactures and many video editing software companies. Most are toy programs that will frustrate you. Go to the sites of these software companies and if they have forums read what the users are posting. You will learn much about the processes and issues invloved. What you want to do is not easy.

I use Adobe and am very happy. During editing I end up with about half of the material on the DVD. The pace is much better and watching my home movies is more pleasurable. I can go to exactly what I want to watch with my custom menus. I buy printable disks. I Make great disk art and cover art for the DVD cases. When people watch my DVDs they are amazed and I am proud. If you can, go the PC and Adobe route. It is a great hobby.

My opinions.

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The easy way or the hard way
Sep 23, 2005 1:43PM PDT

If you just want to copy them to DVD, the easiest way is a VHS/DVD recorder combo unit. Just put in the tape and the DVD and dub them. When you come back it is done. Nearly as easy is using a DVD recorder with your old VCR. In both cases, a 2 hour VHS takes about 2 hours to transfer to DVD, A DVD recorder with a hard drive will make editing easier but add time to your job as you are copying to the drive, editing and then to the DVD. If you use a computer, you will spend a lot more time than any of the other options. It all comes down to what you want as a final product, an exact copy or an edited DVD with chapters etc. I chose a Pioneer combo unit because I do not have the time to waste on the computer making a DVD from a VHS tape. Your final quality either way will be no better than the VHS tape, but at least it will not deteriorate like the tape will.

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easy/hard way
Oct 11, 2005 12:20AM PDT

Thanks for the reply. I think I will use the dvd with hardrive. I think this is the route I will go because of ease. I do want to do some editing and chapters because of a two-hour tape, I probably have 50% or so that I will keep on final DVD. I do have some time to fool with it this Fall. If there is a better way or better recommened product for computer, I may consider it, although I'm no technical/computer/software junkie--I would consider myself just an average in-the-know Joe. I do realize that the final product will be no better than analog vhs tape, and that's fine because the tapes are pretty good.

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Good choice
Oct 11, 2005 12:00PM PDT

With most, but not all of these units, you can copy directly to the DVD if you just want a quick DVD copy of a VHS tape or video camera. Be sure to read the manual first because a few make you copy to the Hard drive only and then you transfer to the DVD. Also check the channel guide that comes with it. Some have a basic TiVo or TV guide that gives you free access to programmimg TV shows. Some services you must pay for. All of them will let you record manually just like a VCR. Get a big hard drive-you will fill it up fast. I constantly run short of space on my DVR.