Easiest way to capture VHS on computer then copy to DVD?

[KINNEY0201]

I am looking for opinions on the easiest and cheapest way to capture my VHS tapes on my computer and then convert them to DVD. I have the computer of course, vcr, and digital video recorder. Is there anything else I would need and what would you suggest. Thank you in advance for your time.

[yoda313]

Hello,

EASIEST would be a settop dvd recorder that you would hook up like hooking up two vcrs.

BUT you would need an anti macrovision device to backup your "official" hollywood videotapes.

Many computer capture cards like the WINTV PVR 250 can do it automatically on its own. But with a capture card you have to record it, then author it then burn it.

With a settop basically you dub it and your done.

Kevin

[KINNEY0201]

Thank you so much for the information. I have found a store nearby that carries the PVR 250, it is made by Hauppauge correct? So that I am absolutely clear, it should allow me to backup my vhs tapes without a hitch, it just may take longer than doing it with a DVD recorder? Any other model recommended if PVR-250 is not available? Thanks again for your time!

[red lion]

Im just doing what you are about to do now with the same card and so far it works great (minor probs with buggy software was soon solved)

[fmctm1sw]

So that I am absolutely clear, it should allow me to backup my vhs tapes without a hitch,

I'd be careful with the "without a hitch" thing. I've been at it 3 years and things still bite me in the ass...

[yoda313]

Hello,

I've had very few problems with the wintv pvr 250. I just play the vcr and record on the pc. I stop the recording and get my vcd or dvd compatible mpg file. Then I load it into any dvd authoring program and I'm all set to go.

Kevin

[davideck]

So that I am absolutely clear, it should allow me to backup my vhs tapes without a hitch, it just may take longer than doing it with a DVD recorder? Any other model recommended if PVR-250 is not available? Thanks again for your time!

I use the PVR-250 and am very satisfied. But I have found that a TBC is essential for converting "without a hitch". Without the TBC, I was occasionally experiencing audio/video skew that accumulated over an hour capture or so. It was worth buying the TBC to guarantee that this wouldn't ever happen, and it never does. My TBC-3000 also has proc amp controls that I find quite useful, especially for my old Beta tapes.

[fmctm1sw]

So that I am absolutely clear, it should allow me to backup my vhs tapes without a hitch, it just may take longer than doing it with a DVD recorder? Any other model recommended if PVR-250 is not available? Thanks again for your time!

Without the TBC, I was occasionally experiencing audio/video skew that accumulated over an hour capture or so. It was worth buying the TBC to guarantee that this wouldn't ever happen, and it never does.

This is good to hear. A/V sync can be the most frustrating aspect of avi capture. It's caused me to utter more than one profanity at times. I'm still waiting on my Primeimage TBC to show up.

[nelson133]

The CanopusADVC100 is the easiest way to put vhs into the computer. The av signal is locked and the result is no sync problems. At least on mine, Macrovision is removed by the box itself. You will get avi files, which take up a lot of room and will have to be encoded to mpg2 for authoring.
This solution is basically a plug it in and use it, as long as you have a firewire port. There are various freeware programs for capturing the dv stream, the best imho is WinDV. Nyah Levi

[KINNEY0201]

This is all very helpful information. I did order the PVR-250, now I will be looking into purchasing a TBC. Thanks again for all the info.