Please Help-Desperate -I need advice before I drop serious $

[goldtop33]

I decided to update my Video bootleg collection to DVD (they are all fan traded concerts - most are 1 st generation)

I just recently bought a new top of the line computer with the ATI Radeon 9800 Pro Graphics card. It doesnt have a DVD burner. So I looked into burners and came across the new HP Movie Writer dc3000. This seemed like the best product for me. (If I got a regular internal DVD burner - I'd need to buy a new sound card and TV capture/Video card for my computer) The HP 3000 does all this internally.

What I'm wondering is - whats the best VCR to get? I've spoken to some people who say the best way to go is the JVC S-VHS decks with the DigiPure technology. I've talked to other people that say this is overkill if my source videotapes AREN'T S-VHS. I've talked to others would said the S-VHS decks WILL in fact improve my video captures even if the source tapes aren't S-VHS.

I'm totally confused. The HP 3000 has the USB 2.0 ports to connect to my computer - Video: S-Video, Composite; Audio input: Stereo

Please let me know your opinions on the best way to go in regards to the VCR to DVD debate. As well as any opinions on the HP 3000 Movie Writer...

[BJ_M]

if you need to clean up any of those tapes -- the HP would not be a good choice ..

if you want ease - the HP is a good choice - though it is not real time (captures first - then burns)

if you want compatability -- the HP is not a good choice ..

if you want ease - the HP is a good choice

[goldtop33]

if you need to clean up any of those tapes -- the HP would not be a good choice ..

if you want ease - the HP is a good choice - though it is not real time (captures first - then burns)

if you want compatability -- the HP is not a good choice ..

if you want ease - the HP is a good choice

Whats the best way to clean them up then? I was under the assumption that the HP 3000 Movie Writer was good for this. It's not just a standalone burning unit - it hooks up to your PC as well and comes with a few good DVD authoring software titles...

Why is real time better?
Thanks for you advice!

[BJ_M]

real time is not nessessarly better -- that was just an observation ..

VHS tapes often don't look to good converted to dvd .. often you need to use filtering and various "cleaners" to make them look 1/2 way decent .. in fact with a little time spent -- you can get quite good results --]

but it requires a fair amount of playing with settings and such -- using such programs as avsynth or virtualdub with plug-ins

[qpskfec]

The hp box is $399. For that price, there are several stand alone dvd recorders that will make getting vhs onto dvd much simpler. For under $500, you can get a Panny stand alone with a hard drive and tbc. The tbc in the Panny means that you should be able to use just about any vcr.

I looked at the HP box, for a little more $$, I'd rather buy a stand alone, then add a dvd burner for the PC for $100.

[lordsmurf]

I decided to update my Video bootleg collection to DVD (they are all fan traded concerts - most are 1 st generation) I just recently bought a new top of the line computer with the ATI Radeon 9800 Pro Graphics card. It doesnt have a DVD burner. So I looked into burners and came across the new HP Movie Writer dc3000. This seemed like the best product for me. (If I got a regular internal DVD burner - I'd need to buy a new sound card and TV capture/Video card for my computer) The HP 3000 does all this internally. What I'm wondering is - whats the best VCR to get? I've spoken to some people who say the best way to go is the JVC S-VHS decks with the DigiPure technology. I've talked to other people that say this is overkill if my source videotapes AREN'T S-VHS. I've talked to others would said the S-VHS decks WILL in fact improve my video captures even if the source tapes aren't S-VHS. I'm totally confused. The HP 3000 has the USB 2.0 ports to connect to my computer - Video: S-Video, Composite; Audio input: Stereo Please let me know your opinions on the best way to go in regards to the VCR to DVD debate. As well as any opinions on the HP 3000 Movie Writer...

It's a shame you didn't go for the gold an get the AIW version of that 9800. You'd have no problems then.

The HP device has the problems BJ_M described. It's not what you'd want most likely.

A S-VHS player WILL improve a VHS tape, and even S-VHS tapes. It's not about the format, it's about the filters in the machine. Whoever told you the S-VHS player would be overkill has either never used one or is simply a complete dumbass. I use several JVC S-VHS VCRs myself, and would never again use a mere VHS player.

You should either grab a standalone DVD recorder or grab a capture card and DVD burner. It all depends on how much you want to customize and edit. The DVD recorder for simple menus and a direct dump to DVD (just like copying VHS tape), or the computer for editing and customizing and making your own menus and such.

[goldtop33]

Thanks for your reply's eveyone - I really appreciate it. Like I said - I'm getting ready to spend like 1/2 a grand and want to find out the best way to go.

I thought that the standalone DVD recorders squash quality? I wasn't even considering getting one.

On the other hand - From what I understood regarding the new HP Movie Writer DC3000, it works as well as the internal burners. It comes with a full-suite editing package, ArcSoft ShowBiz 2, and MuVee autoProducer, a quick and easy video editing software.

The one thing I wasn't sure of - the HP 3000 comes with a 4.7 Gig HD - but it also hooks up to your PC for editing purposes - why can't you alter/edit/clean up video the same way your all saying that you can when using the internal burners?

[qpskfec]

I've done 100+ vhs to stand alone recorder. The quality is fine. I can always pop the dvd into the PC for editing later if I want.

My second choice is to use a DV camera with pass thru for PC capture.