Convert VHS to DVD?

[raccoonone]

I've been reading about converting VHS to DVD, but I still need a bit of help. My family has around 100 VHSs that they want to convert into DVDs. The computer we have is Athlon 2800+, 1GB RAM, I'm pretty sure the graphics card doesn't have the required inputs, so I need a video capture card.

What I was wondering though, is what hardware will I need? I was looking at this offering by Pinnacle (http://www.pinnaclesys.com/PublicSite/us/Products/Consumer+Products/Home+Video/Studio+Family/Studio+MovieBoard.htm) and it sounded pretty good considering the price; is there something better? I may need a better VCR also (ours is old and crapy), how much does VCR quality matter? (I'm guessing a lot). I was also reading about connecting a Video Processor to the output from the VCR, do I need one of these? My budget is about $300, will that be enough?

Thanks in advance for any help!

[Jon]

That will work so long as you're one of the lucky ones that doesn't have frame-drop and/or audio sync issues. If you're serious about the transfer quality, then you may want to look into Canopus products. The ADVC110 being one of the most popular, tried and true systems. It would probably be all you'd need. I'd choose that over a cheap transfer card and procamp, personally.

[raccoonone]

Thanks I'll look into that. Do I need any kind of special VCR or will anything do?

[Jon]

Thanks I'll look into that. Do I need any kind of special VCR or will anything do?

You shouldn't, although not all VCRs are equal either. So long as you have a decent VCR (preferably 4-heads), you should be OK.

[raccoonone]

Cool, thanks, that looks like it will work and our MB has a FireWire header I'm pretty sure, I'll just hook it up.

Will I need some software to capture the video and then encode it to DVD (and maybe add menus and stuff)? It didn't look like the ADVC110 comes with any software.

*edit* I checked what VCR we have. It's an JVC HR-S3800U (http://www.jvc.com/product.jsp?modelId=MODL022170&pathId=49&page=2&archive=true) and it says it has 4 heads, so I guess it'll be alright.

[batboy]

While there are much better capture cards or TV tuner cards available nowadays, if you are on a low budget, here is what I'm using: Leadtek Winfast TV2000 XP Deluxe. It's a very low cost TV tuner card that comes bundled with most of the software you need. I also downloaded a free DVDshrink program and of course I use the DVD burning software that came with my DVD burner.

The capture quality of the video you want to convert is only as good as the VHS tape and VCR playing it.

[raccoonone]

That one you mentioned doesn't look like it has connectors for the audio from a VCR (component I think it's called?). Do you know of a good video capture card in the $150-$200 range (if it comes with editing software, it could go up to ~$250). The ADVC110 looks nice, but it doesn't come with any software and that would be pushing my $300 budget a bit, by the time I added software and a DVD burner.

[Jon]

You may want to check Videohelp.com out, specifically their capture cards database. (http://www.videohelp.com/capturecards)

I frequent that site about as often as this one and it's loaded with information related to what you're wanting to do. Plenty of excellent guides for transfers as well.

By the way, Canopus has an ADVC-50 which tops out at about $200. Might give you a bit more headroom in getting a DVD and software.

[raccoonone]

Thanks, that's a great site. Do you have any recommendations for software? All I need is to capture and create a scene selection menu, nothing fancy, so an all-in-one program would probably be the best thing for me. Easy to use would be a big plus too, because my mom (who's not great with computers) will probably be doing some of the VHS -> DVD conversion herself.

[batboy]

The one I listed does require a $6 RCA to 1/8" stereo pin adapter (available at Radio Shack) for the audio. Not a big deal.

The Hauppauge PVR-150 is another reasonably priced tuner card.

If your mom want to convert as easy as possible, then there are stand alone VHS/DVD recorders for about $100 that just plug into your TV without a computer. Simple as popping in a VHS tape in one side and a blank DVD-R in the other, then record.

[archangelgabe]

Is there a way to use a video camera as a medium between the VCR and a Computer? I know I can get video from Final Cut Pro to my Panasonic GS 180 to a VCR.

As this is a film class I have a ton of cables. for the first setup I used a firewire-DV and an AV to (the red, white and yellow thingies)

Is there a way to reverse that order? Would it require a (red, white, yellow) to DV and an AV to firewire.

...do they even MAKE those?