Just caught this one in the Seattle Times from the weekend, article link is
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/personaltechnology/2002547405_ptmrsh08.html

This DVD project requires some professional help

Q: I want to convert old videos to DVDs. I have the software — Sony Vegas 5+DVD — but would like to know how I can go about importing the videotapes into the computer so that I can add menus, etc.

A: If you have only a few videos, you'll want to consider having a service do the job for you, because it's easier than investing in a good digitizing card and the headaches that can come with installing and configuring it. And if you go for an inexpensive digitizing card, you may not get as good results as a service bureau can offer.

Even if you want to edit the movies and add titles, you can always take the DVD you get from the service, pop it into your computer and do your editing. Then all you need is editing software and a DVD burner.

If you decide you want to use a conversion service, you'll want to do some homework. Prices vary a great deal, and it's wise to first have the service you pick do one tape and then you can check the results.

If you want to do your own digitizing, you'll need to make sure you buy a digitizing card that supports the kind of input that is compatible with the output on your video player, such as S-video. Expect to spend about $400 for a good digitizing card.

Alternatively, you can buy devices specifically designed for converting some formats of video tape to DVD. Panasonic's DMR-ES30V, for example, has both a VHS tape player and a DVD burner to make the job easy. And the unit carries a street price of less than $300. The drawback? Generally, these devices are weak on editing tools. The DMR-ES30V, for example, doesn't even allow you to insert chapter breaks.
Now, maybe this guy is a total newbie, but it seems wrong to me to fob this one off like that without at least a few more useful details. And the $400 for a "good digitizing" card, where is he shopping?!

Just goes to show that you can often get better advice from your average person out there instead of some newspaper columnist.

Next time, send them to videohelp.com!!!