Copy VHS to VCD

[Everlast]

I am new here and I don't know if anybody asked this question before but:
1. How can I copy VHS tapes to VCD?
2. What kind of hardware do I need for it? (I have a CDR)
3. Wich Software do I need? (I have ROXIO)
4. Can you tell me exactly what I need to do to copy VHS to VCD? (As detailed as possible)

Thanks
Everlast

[The_Flash]

Click the link on the left that reads "CAPTURE"

[bmerrell]

i use Dazzle DVC to capture the video then run it through TMPGEnc to improve the quality - i followed the advice in the capture link - let me know if you need more help - my quality is excellent and it is very easy to use dazzle and TMPGEnc

[Akai Rounin]

Making the Move from VCR to VCD...

1. How can I copy VHS tapes to VCD?
2. What kind of hardware do I need for it? (I have a CDR)
3. Wich Software do I need? (I have ROXIO)
4. Can you tell me exactly what I need to do to copy VHS to VCD? (As detailed as possible)

You need a good fast PC with gobs of RAM, a functioning video capture card, the video capture software that was bundled with it or some you downloaded, patch cables from the VCR to the PC, tons of free hard drive space, something to convert your captured video to VCD compliant MPEG1, a functioning CD burner, burning software that can create VCDs and a lot of patience.

Determine how you will get video out of your VCR. Generally there are three choices, S-Video, composite RCA (the yellow OUT plug) and RF (via the coaxial/cable OUT connector). Match this to the proper input on your video capture card or its dongle/breakout box.

With audio, the choices are a bit more limited. You are usually allowed only RCA OUT (Black/White=Left/Mono, Red=Right) or the RF that is part of the Coaxial/Cable signal from the VCR. Keep in mind that some low end video capture devices do not support stereo audio capture, even if they indicate that a television show is broadcast in stereo. Choose the proper cables to connect your VCR's AUDIO OUT to either the video capture card or the AUX/LINE IN of your PCs sound card.

Most video capture software will capture in some form of uncompressed AVI format. This will take up ungodly amounts of hard drive space. Some suggest you use a third party loss-less video scheme called HUFFYUV for your video captures. Not all video capture software allows you to choose a particular video codec for capture though. Many times you will be stuck with the factory presets, which generally suck, big time.

In order to ensure you will be able to set your own video capture parameters, some freely available software can be downloaded from the internet. Many like using VirtualDub 1.4.10 for this purpose, you can get it through the tools section of this site. Maybe you should check to see if the various versions of The Fly will recognize your system's video capture capabilities. Capture Studio 4.05 Professional may also fit your video capture needs. [NOTE: I would suggest another, but I can't remember its name right now.]

Once the AVI of your videotape is on your computer, it's time to go to work! Load the AVI video into TMPGEnc and follow the guides on this site to convert it to MPEG1 as needed. Roxio's Easy CD Creator should have what you need to make VCD 2.0 compliant discs. In case you have trouble with them, give VCDEasy, again available through this site, a try instead.

Toyoniya Hiyaku, Noromuoy!

Akai Rounin, The Cyber Sage