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VHS to DVD/MPEG card & editing software recommendations.

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    VHS to DVD/MPEG card & editing software recommendations.

    I need to get some old VHS tapes onto DVD. Can anyone recommend a suitable card/editing software combo i.e. one that you've used with good results. So far it seems that Pinnacle cards and their Studio 9 combo is the main player - any other recommendations folks?

    #2
    Re: VHS to DVD/MPEG card & editing software recommendati

    I wonder if the DVDs will last as long as the nasty analogue tapes.

    I still have playable Philips 1500 tapes that are 27 years old or so.

    Bet the DVDs won't last anything like that long.

    Comment


      #3
      Re: VHS to DVD/MPEG card & editing software recommendati

      You're lucky on the tapes. Many of my old VHS tapes are unwatchable.

      I remember many years ago it was a legal requirement to keep purchase tax records for 7 years. We pulled some old tapes from the backup safe to try them - you could see the oxide flying off as they went through the tape transport (big old IBM 2400 series drives) - needless to say they were unreadable.

      Having said that some of my old CD-Rs (probably only 5 years old or maybe less) are cream crackered.

      Comment


        #4
        Re: VHS to DVD/MPEG card & editing software recommendati

        How about buying a DVD recorder? They're getting pretty cheap these days, and you can record direct from VHS to DVD.

        Comment


          #5
          Re: VHS to DVD/MPEG card & editing software recommendati

          I'm not actually trying to archive the tapes to DVD, just get them onto one so that I can add titles etc. and view them on a domestic dvd played, pc, and make copies etc.
          Anyone actually done this on here?

          Comment


            #6
            Re: VHS to DVD/MPEG card & editing software recommendati

            I've not done this personally but there are loads of capture cards around that will do it.

            You will get monster files that need rendering to mpeg if you want them smaller/dvd player compatible and - that takes ages. VCD/SVCD/DVD are all specific formats - presumably the editing software would support them though.

            Expect cr@p quality.

            If you are prepared to buy a new DVD player the Yamada DVX6600 will play just about any video format you throw at it (including xvid and divx) - you can get them from Maplin amongst others.

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              #7
              Re: VHS to DVD/MPEG card & editing software recommendati

              You're right, fiddle.

              The N1500 was the first consumer vcr and used a lot of tape.

              Despite the mildew on them, they still play, amazing really.

              It's the difference between analogue and digital.

              You don't really notice all the dropouts and cr*p on analogue tape, whereas on digital systems it's either invisible because of error correction or doesn't play at all.

              The standard head life on a digital VHS was about 100 hrs for professional use.

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                #8
                re

                Forgive me for being stupid (you should be used to it by now) but how do you physically get the video from VHS to your PC? Is it yellow phono from scart to USB or do you use a TV card or something?

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                  #9
                  Re: re

                  TV card or usb tv card.

                  Converting video generates humungous files.

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                    #10
                    Re: re

                    Just a Goofy thought,

                    what about buying a DVD Recorder (one that connects to your TV) and record your old VHS onto the DVD.

                    And then use that DVD on the PC to do your edits.

                    MG

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