What should I get to convert my analog movies to a DVD?

[miochza]

Ok, I have a really old camcorder, it was top of the line in the early 80's. I want to convert the old 8mm (I think? They are small) tapes into digital. Then, since my newcomputer has a DVD+R drive, I will burn them for our standalone DVD player. What should I buy to capture the analog video?

[andkiich]

I recommend getting an ATI AIW if you want to do PC captures.

Otherwise, get yourself a good stand alone DVD recorder.

A TBC probably wouldn't hurt either given the age of the tapes in question.

[Perro Grande]

One of the Canopus products (ADVC 50, 100, etc) might also warrant consideration.

There are numerous reviews of the different products under the Capture Cards menu item.

[Barnabas]

I have both an AIW and a Hauppauge PVR-250. Get the PVR-250 for great real-time hardware encoding captures. You have to tweak it to get the best results, but once tweaked, it's hard to beat, and with rebates you can get it for about $99.00.

A Time Base Corrector is a good thing to use for best results, or you will drop more frames than you want to.

[Hazza]

Or if you are doing a one off batch of them and you are in need of a new camcorder anyway, then you can get a digital camcorder with passthrough (built in analogue -> digital coverter). I killed two birds with one stone doing it this way. The conversions are great. Didn't drop a frame or get audio out of synch doing around 20 hours of conversion so far.

A TBC may still be needed for poor quality tapes.

Hazza.

[Toogy]

I agree, if you need a new camcorder get one with analog-digital passthrough. I used a Canopus ADVC-1394 for over a year and just started using a new Sony camcorder to do the capturing, and the Sony beats the 1394 hands down.

[lordsmurf]

Good VCR and good TBC, no doubt.
Then choose either PC capture card (suggestion: ATI All In Wonder) or DVD recorder (suggestion: APEX DRX-9000).