VHS to DVD

[AylmerQc]

Anybody get on to the job of converting their old VHS tapes to dvd. What's the best method (best results vs cost) you've found so far?

[Dan Millar]

Well, I have tried a lot of different methods, and it really depends on the hardware you are using to capture the video. My best method is kind of antiquated - I use a 500MHz G4 with a Miro(pinnacle now) DC30 card. If I just let it do its stuff, it does a great job with any analog video source. If you're using a more modern rig to capture with - have a look at the analog video-to-USB/firewire solutions out there. Here's a few I know are pretty good/not-too-expensive.

Miglia TV Max+ - around $250-299 - does all the heavy lifting so any Mac with USB 2.0 can use it - hard to find
Elgato EyeTV 250 Plus - around $250 - same as above - easier to find
Canopus  ADVC-55 about $150 - uses firewire - input directly to iMovie - US website only

There are cheaper non-converting devices, but the time you will save using the above devices will pay for the difference the first couple of times you use it...

Dan

[Dan Millar]

Can't seem to edit my last post, but the Canopus is actually also about $250 - my bad tpying,typying... typign AAAAAAAAAAAA

Dan

[AylmerQc]

Thnaks
Will check those options out.

[Neil Herber]

Several years ago, I bought a standalone DVD recorder - kind of like a VCR, but it records to DVDs.  I have used it for converting VHS tapes to DVDs with reasonable results (VHS quality is relatively low anyway).

I set up the VCR as a player with its output going to the DVD recorder inputs. Then I start the tape and the recording process on the disk and go away for a few hours. When I get back, I have a DVD almost ready to go (it needs a finalizing step of a few minutes).

Disadvantages: very simple menus, not really suited for editing on-the-fly.

Advantages: dead easy, always works, selectable DVD quality, only takes as long as the tape playing time, computer not tied up, DVD recorders are now cheaper than capture cards, can be used to record TV shows when not transferring tapes (built in tuner and timer).

Potential advantage: if you have access to software that can edit MPEG-2 streams (what is on a DVD) you can use the recorder as a standalone digitizer. Then you can edit and add menus as you please.

[edsmith]

Since I have a Sony Digital Handycam.  I connect the VCR to the camcorder and the camcorder to the firewire.
Works reasonably well.  No extra cost.  I've heard of some people getting it done by a third party with mixed results.  You should
check any local business you get as to the quality of reproduction and that they won't damage or loose your originals.  So I
forgot the names but I don't think they are still in business.

[Dan Millar]

Yes, I agree with both the last two comments. Both are viable methods - in fact a lot of post-production houses bought handycams with firewire out JUST to do these kinds of conversions. Nice option because, hey it's also a really good cam - if you need one. I have also suggested the DVR in the past, but only recommend it for small libraries because of the time taken to first input the analog video to the DVR and then transfer up to the computer - the file formats vary as does the quality and you often find yourself re-re-encoding. I still maintain that the dedicated devices I described in my first post are the best method for inputting large amounts of analog video at home.

Dan

[roystonlodge]

The way I do it is long and convoluted, but cheap.

I have an old Power Mac 6500 Creative Studio Edition, which has the old Apple TV Tuner and the Avid Cinema video out.  But, it has no UDB, no Ethernet, and no CD/DVD burner.

So, I import the VHS using that rig, and save it to an old 2GB Jaz cartridge.  I then unplug my SCSI Jaz drive and plug it back in to my Windows desktop which has a SCSI PCI card.

It would, of course, be easier to buy a new tv tuner for my Mac Mini, like the EyeTV, but that's how I do it.

[MacMoore]

Last November I purchased a Samsung DVD-VR357. It is a DVD recorder/player & VHS recorder/player all in one unit.  You insert a VHS tape in one side, a blank DVD in the other side, push one button and walk away.  When the tape has finished playing, you finalize the DVD and you're done.  I expect that you could transfer another VHS tape before you finalize the DVD, but I haven't tried that yet.

At the time it was selling at local Future Shops for $269.  I was able to purchase it at the Ogdensburg, NY Walmart for $179.  PST and GST apply at the border as it would here.  Walmart also sold me a comprehensive additional 2 year warranty (beyond the manufacturer's 1 year warranty) for an additional $18.  A fine upconverting DVD + 3 year over the Walmart counter repair/replace warranty for less than $200.

NOTE: It does not have a built-in TV tuner, so if you want to record from antenna or cable you must feed it (with a red/white/yellow cable) from an external TV tuner.  I use an old VCR (that does not record any more) as my TV tuner.