VHS to DVD (via Desktop or PC)

[RoRay]

I have several old (and getting older) VHS family tapes which I want to transfer to DVD. Now that technology has caught up I have another delema. Quality. Should I transfer the analog video to my PC, edit and then burn to DVD or....transfer the analog video direct to a stand alone DVD desktop recorder raw. With the former I would use an analog-to-digital bridge with a 1394 conn to my PC. I would use my editing software to create effects. With the latter it would be standard S-VHS cable from VCR to Desktop DVD recorder. This would be nothing more than a DVD copy of the tape. Which would result in the best output to DVD? I am leaning towards "direct" if the point is moot with the main reason being to stop the deterioration of the tapes now. I suppose the direct to desktop is in itself a bridge process. Any comments or suggestions? If the video data can be preserved EQUALLY as well by either process I would prefer record now go back and edit later--i.e. import the DVD version into the PC later and then make it fancy.

[yoda313]

Hello,

Standalones can be equally as good as pc capture cards. Which one you choose depends on how much editing you plan on doing. Standalones have limited editing abilities. PC's can do pretty much whatever you want. You obviously need a pc dvd burner and a capture card together.

Standalones are easier than the pc. That should be your guideling. And search the forum, it's been talked about a lot, many other opinions to read .

Kevin

[broadway]

How many tapes do you have? And have much time do you want to spend on this?

There are some people who go the PC capture route who will let their PC run for the whole night to convert the AVI file they captured to a MPEG2 file. They swear that the video quality can't be beat by a standalone desktop DVD recorder.

I have 40-50 tapes. Not a huge collection but certainly too many for me to spend the time to capture to AVI and then convert. Plus I have a slow PC.

Of course, if you have a superfast PC, you could capture directly to MPEG2 from your VCR.

I went with the desktop DVD recorder route, and I have been very happy. Granted, I don't have a big screen TV which reveals the flaws.

Good luck.

[victoriabears]

I make dvd's of both good quality vhs recordings and terrible ones.

if the source is good, use a set top dvd recorder and get it onto re-writable dvd (DVD_RAM is very good), and the use your computer to , perhaps, enhance it/edit it then make nice menus if you want.

If the source is bad and like me you have enough material to invest in the software and hardware then great, if you only have a couple of "bad" tapes get them done professionally as it also takes a lot of learning and time.

I enjoy it as a hobby, but it is hard work learning.

[yoda313]

Hello,

Of course, if you have a superfast PC, you could capture directly to MPEG2 from your VCR.

Depends on what you mean by "superfast" I run a huappauge wintv pvr250 on an amd 850mhz and capture directly to mpeg2 with no problems.

Kevin

[Frobozz]

I first used a MPEG2 capture device with my computer (a Mac) then decided to use a Canopus capture device and then decided to buy a standalone DVD recorder with hard drive.

Each method has its merits. My advice is if you merely want to convert your VHS tapes to DVD then the standalone DVD recorder is by far the fastest and easiest way to go. If you want to rework and edit your tapes in ways other than trimming then you are best off with the analog-to-DV converter (or a DV camcorder). If you want to do a little of both, then get both.