convert VHS to DVD for novice

[red_eye]

Hey all,

My wifes grandfather is capture newbie. He wants to convert his vhs video library(home movies) to DVD but he is a perfactionist. What I need is something easy, and powerful. Cost is little object. So far the reccomendtion I am going on is for the ATI AIW X800XT. Would this be simple to use for this application? His PC is a fairly new VAIO.

Thanks!

[FulciLives]

For simple I would suggest using:

1.) The Canopus ADVC-100 or the DataVideo DAC-100
2.) A stand alone DVD recorder (Pioneer models)

Option 1 would be if he really wants to go the complete computer method which does allow for more "tweaking" but is not for a noob. We were all video noobs once but if he isn't VERY comfortable using a computer then option 1 is BAD. I suggest these two capture devices as they are really easy to use for the computer novice yet give very good quality. They make the capturing part very easy but all the post-processing ... to get-to-a-final-DVD in the end ... can be the tricky part here.

Option 2 is very nearly as good and VERY simple. The Pioneer 500 series has a built-in HDD which can do editing. He can also do his recording onto a DVD-RW disc and then import and edit in a computer and re-author and burn with his computer DVD burner. For that the program TMPGEnc DVD Author is the "best" and definately easiest-to-use.

Either way I suggest he get a nice high quality VHS VCR (such as the JVC S-VHS 9000 series) and a TBC (Time Base Corrector). The two most popular TBC models include the DataVideo TBC-1000 and the AVT-8710 by AV Tool Box.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[reboot]

If he's truly a perfectionist, and money is available, just get the Canopus ADVC-300, A JVC 9000, DVDLab Pro, and Nero 6.6

[FulciLives]

If he's truly a perfectionist, and money is available, just get the Canopus ADVC-300, A JVC 9000, DVDLab Pro, and Nero 6.6

DVDLab Pro has many issues.

NERO sucks for DVD burning.

The Canopus ADVC-300 is nice but probably overkill plus he will still need a Full Frame TBC. The TBC in the JVC and the ADVC-300 are both just Line TBCs.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[richdvd]

For that the program TMPGEnc DVD Author is the "best" and definately easiest-to-use.

I agree.
TMPGEnc DVDA is very easy to use. Probably the best software for the money...especially if you are just starting out.

[nelson133]

FulciLives is dead on, I can't add anything, just backing him up.
Nyah Levi

[Capmaster]

Like Fulcilives mentioned, don't forget a Timebase Corrector if he's doing many tape caps

[MpegEncoder]

NERO sucks for DVD burning.

Some proof of this bold accusation would be nice.

I use Nero for burning DVD's and have zero problems. But gee, maybe I'm the only one.

[gadgetguy]

NERO sucks for DVD burning.

Some proof of this bold accusation would be nice.

I use Nero for burning DVD's and have zero problems. But gee, maybe I'm the only one.

You're not the only one. I had the same thought when I read FulciLives comment.

[MOVIEGEEK]

Definatly go the digital route(DV via firewire),I gave up on analog(capturecard) because of the video quality.

[FulciLives]

NERO sucks for DVD burning.

Some proof of this bold accusation would be nice.

I use Nero for burning DVD's and have zero problems. But gee, maybe I'm the only one.

You're not the only one. I had the same thought when I read FulciLives comment.

I been "around the block" here for a while both time wise as well as the number of threads/posts I have read.

Again and again people have had problems with NERO.

Since a FREEWARE method exists THAT is both easy-to-do and much more reliable ... indeed "the best" way ... to burn ... well ... screw NERO.

It sucks. Pure and simple.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

P.S.
When I talk about the FREEWARE method that is "best" above I am of course talking about using:

1.) The classic version of ImgTools to create an ISO IMAGE FILE
2.) DVD Decrypter to burn said ISO IMAGE FILE

[trhouse]

He wants to convert his vhs video library(home movies) to DVD

I would find out what he really means by this. When I was a novice, I was pretty literal about it. Plain copy from vhs to dvd. No improving the tape or adding menus or editing. I took route 1 and felt like Alice after she fell in the rabbit hole. Be prepared to encounter a bewildering array of tools and decisions about bitrates, Dolby AC-3, PCM, mpeg1-layer2 audio formats, authoring, etc.

Route 2 is pretty painless. I use a combo vcr/dvd recorder ( external vcr's, dvd players can be used as well ). 98% of my families vhs, vhs-c collection is old but free from problems. For these tapes, plug the tape in, insert a dvd-r, hit dub. At the end of the tape, recording stops, put in another tape and repeat. The unit shows remaining record time. At the end, the unit allows you name each tape and adds 5 minute chapter points so hitting a button on the remote advances the video in 5 minute increments during playback.There are a number of posts about how to take these type of captures and rip them to your computer for authoring if he is so inclined.

The remaining 2% of tapes is another story. Those require the high end equiipment and software others have so thoughfully mentioned.

[reboot]

Again and again people have had problems with NERO

This should read, "Again and again noob's have had..."
I had troubles with Nero when I first started using it too, but that was many moons ago, and never a problem since I learned how to use it properly.
I have a feeling that a lot of "nero problems" are USER problems, and nothing to do with the software.

[richdvd]

No probs with Nero 6 here.
Use it all the time.

[FulciLives]

Again and again people have had problems with NERO

This should read, "Again and again noob's have had..."
I had troubles with Nero when I first started using it too, but that was many moons ago, and never a problem since I learned how to use it properly.
I have a feeling that a lot of "nero problems" are USER problems, and nothing to do with the software.

Actually it has pretty much been shown that many various versions of NERO have errors that cause burning problems when it comes to DVD. It is not a NOOB problem ... at least not in total.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[reboot]

I didn't say, in total. I said, "...a lot..."
No software is flawless.

[gshelley61]

There's nothing faster, easier and more fool proof than the DVD recorder method of video conversion. The learning curve with the computer method is pretty steep, and you really have to know what you are doing to get excellent results. The name brand DVD recorders make analog video capturing quite easy and the results are exceptionally good considering how fast the process is. In fact, it works so well for my purposes that I can't remember the last time I captured anything with my computer.

The Pioneer units (220, 320, 420, 520) all have analog video input picture adjustments (black level, contrast, color, hue, detail, etc.) which is a really great feature for tweaking the source prior to recording. The image of the recordings using the higher quality (shorter time) settings is virtually identical to the original. The 420 and 520 have built in hard drives, and the 320 and 520 have firewire inputs.

If you are planning on converting commercial VHS, a full frame TBC will completely eliminate all copy protection signals on these types of tapes. For home videos that are not copy protected, the Pioneer's built in line TBC should be sufficient in most cases.

[trhouse]

The above post reminded me of one other thing. All the name brand dvd recorders have some form of TBC or frame synchronizer and an assortment of noise reductions schemes which go under a variety of names. These tools can ( but not always ) make the dvd recording cleaner than the original.

For the 2% of tapes which where a problem, our family decided it was more cost effective to let a professional restorer with better than prosumer equipent take care of them.

P.S. GShelley, thanks for the post of the tests of the Pioneer, JVC, Panasonic units with the THx images.

[green_meanie]

I use Nero 6.6 here and don't have problems creating DVDs with it, but the program can be flakey at times. What I mean by flakey is for example I can't video capture with it using my ATI TV Wonder. It locks my system up. So I use a different program to capture and use Nero to burn it.

[pfh]

If money is no object and he really wants to be creative in the process then why not set up a mini studio complete with dedicated computer and all the neccessary cap stuff (card, tbc, vid proc, etc.) PLUS a stand-alone dvd recorder!
As far as software goes, a lot of the stuff has trial periods to let him decide which he likes best in addition to relying on opinions- opinions are free too.