How to make a movie in the states to play in Russia on an analog VHS VCR

[springwhisper]

I want to make a movie in the states for my parents in Russia to play on an analog VHS VCR. What is the cheapest way to do this? Please help!

[BJ_M]

you will have to get it converted to SECAM H , or they may have a SECAM/PAL machine (likely) ... but you will still have to send the tape out and get it converted ...

easier and cheaper to make a PAL dvd for them instead - IF they have a DVD player

[springwhisper]

I just want to clarify my situation. My mom and dad asked me to make movies about my everyday life in the states. They are too old to travel, but they want to see how I live here. I’ll make one movie every two months and mail them as long as they are alive. Since this is long term project I would like to do the conversion myself if possible with different equipment. I’ve sent three movies already and I had to pay for each one about $70 to convert them.
About my present video equipment:
1. My parents have an analog VCR player and this is the only device they can operate and want to continue using.
2. I have here in the US a Sony analog camcorder using Hi-8 tapes.
3. I have a VHS-C cassette adapter that I bought hoping that my folks can use it with Hi-8 tapes, but later discovered that it won’t work.
4. I have a regular DVD player here in the states, but I can’t imagine that is pertinent.
What sort of equipment should I buy to be able to make these movies on VHS tapes for my parents in Russia?

[Jeremiah58]

I’ve sent three movies already and I had to pay for each one about $70 to convert them.
What sort of equipment should I buy to be able to make these movies on VHS tapes for my parents in Russia?

You have been wasting your money on those conversions.

I had a similar situation with my Dad (75 years old). Stubborn as a mule, he didn't want anything to do with a DVD player. Now, he has gote one and watches DVDs with joy.

If I were you, I would get them somehow a simple, small in size and cheap DVD player, a one which is multi-region and multi-system, so that they could watch your NTSC DVD's. Bear in mind that your parents (as most old people) are stubborn and suspicious to new technologies. But if you get them a DVD player, they would get alone with it easily.

[jman98]

I would encourage you to follow Jeremiah58's good suggestion. My father was somewhat resistant to the idea of giving up his beloved VCR, but now he operates a DVD recorder with no problems and he actually prefers it to the old VCR. Tell your parents that because of different TV formats it's too expensive to send them video tapes and they'll have to use a DVD player. If someone sets up a simple player for them, it would not be difficult for them to use and it would make your life a lot easier. If you refuse to do this, then look into buy a converting VCR as that might enable you to feed NTSC input into it and have it record it in PAL or SECAM. You'll need to figure out whether their VCR works with PAL, SECAM or both so you can send them the tape in the right format. There's no SECAM with DVD, just PAL and NTSC, so sending them a DVD will make your life a lot easier.

[edong]

I want to make a movie in the states for my parents in Russia to play on an analog VHS VCR. What is the cheapest way to do this? Please help!

A suggestion similar to the others. Buy them a small NTSC DVD/VCR/TV combo. Send it or take it with you when you visit them. You can then use your present equipment to send videos, DVD or VHS. No more conversion. It is cheaper in the long run instead of paying $$$ for conversion. Added advantage, they will use it exclusively for the videos you send them. Less wear and tear.

[springwhisper]

It seems like everyone agrees on a solution.
I found TOSHIBA 4 HEAD VE - 40 – VCR for $119.99. Here is the description of the model. Do you think it will work?

» Pro Drum 4 Head Multi System
» 110 V - 240 V, 50/60 Hz Auto Power Supply
» Recording and playback in Pal - MESECAM - NTSC 4.43, 3.58
» Also plays NTSC tapes on a PAL TV
» SP-EP Recording in NTSC
» SP-LP-EP Playback in NTSC
» SP-LP Recording and playback in PAL
» Auto Off Function
» 1 Minute 400x Rewind
» Full function TV/VCR unified remote control

Could you advise what software and hardware (wires) I’ll need to buy to convert my Hi8 tapes in to DVDs using my computer? I have HP laptop with XP professional and CD/DVD combo drive that could burn DVD-R.

[jman98]

It seems like everyone agrees on a solution.
I found TOSHIBA 4 HEAD VE - 40 – VCR for $119.99. Here is the description of the model. Do you think it will work?

» Pro Drum 4 Head Multi System
» 110 V - 240 V, 50/60 Hz Auto Power Supply
» Recording and playback in Pal - MESECAM - NTSC 4.43, 3.58
» Also plays NTSC tapes on a PAL TV
» SP-EP Recording in NTSC
» SP-LP-EP Playback in NTSC
» SP-LP Recording and playback in PAL
» Auto Off Function
» 1 Minute 400x Rewind
» Full function TV/VCR unified remote control

Could you advise what software and hardware (wires) I’ll need to buy to convert my Hi8 tapes in to DVDs using my computer? I have HP laptop with XP professional and CD/DVD combo drive that could burn DVD-R.

You're assuming that your parents can play PAL VHS tapes and you've yet to show us any evidence of this. If their VCR only supports SECAM (and it is possible that this is the case, especially with older equipment), you're wasting your time here. This is gonna be ugly. I guess you're going to go Hi8 -> DVD -> VHS. Your life and theirs would really be easier if you just went with DVD. Not to mention that video tapes can get damaged in transit and such damage is unlikely for well packed DVDs, that videotapes cost more to mail, that videotapes take up more space where they live and so on. If you're going to capture video to your PC, you'll need a video capture card. You could buy a DVD recorder, record the Hi8 tapes to it and then play them back and record it to VCR, again, assuming that PAL tapes work for them, but you'll never know until you send them one as they won't have any idea whether they have a PAL, SECAM or both VCR.

[theewizard]

you paid $70 for a tape conversion

what are specs of the converted tape ? the place that did the conversion can tell you what those specs are, tell him you want to shop for some NEW video equipment for your folks

when you have the info, then you will know what can be done. and what will do it

[qz3fwd]

Yeah, get them a cheap multi format (PAL/NTSC/SECAM), region free dvd player and send step by step insturction on how to set it up, or maybe one of the kids there can hook it up for them. Burn a DVD, and mail it to them.

Your life will be soo much easier Once they leanr to open the tray, insert the disc, close the tray and hit play.

No expensive format conversion, much cheaper airmail, no rewinding.

[Jeremiah58]

It seems like everyone agrees on a solution.
I found TOSHIBA 4 HEAD VE - 40 – VCR for $119.99. Here is the description of the model. Do you think it will work?

Maybe it would work. Why not, if you insist on casettes and VCR.
I'm in a PAL system country, but I used to play NTSC video tapes on Sony VCR model SLV-SX-8000, which is very similar in specs as that Toshiba, except it does not have MESECAM. It has just PAL and NTSC (it's a switcher on a back side)

Could you advise what software and hardware (wires) I’ll need to buy to convert my Hi8 tapes in to DVDs using my computer? I have HP laptop with XP professional and CD/DVD combo drive that could burn DVD-R.

The easiest way to convert your Hi8 tapes in to DVDs would be to buy a simple DVD recorder in a price range of 100-150$. With DVD recorder, you do not have to know anything about a digital video, no software, hardware...Just connect your camera (or VCR) to a DVD recorder, press a few buttons and you have a DVD out of your camera recordings.
If you wish to use your PC, then you'ld have to tell us which model of HP laptop do you have, is it with firewire port (i-link)...