how about this approach...

[anna_maria]

Hi,

my aim for this is to be able to convert my old video tapes to DVD, and to be able to record from the TV to DVD and then produce clips of about 2 min in a format that most people can view on their PCs. I also want to be able to watch my DVDs on my laptop and commercial DVD players.

After having read the info on the site (and a great site it is!! ) I realise that I am not skilled enough (and not patient enough) to do this with capture cards etc. So I started looking at other apporaches....

Would this work: I buy a DVD video recorder: Panasonic DMR-HS2 or an older version without a harddrive.

With this you think I could:
-hook up my VCR to it, and burn DVDs from my tapes?
-it uses MPEG2 format I think, can I take those DVDs to my computer and then convert it to other formats? Please advise on software for this...

Do I need to get the DVD video burner with the HD or not?
Is DVD-R and DVD-ROM ok as the only two formats it can burn?
Is MPEG2 ok?

Also, anyone have experience with these DVD video recorders? It is a rather expensive toy, so I want to make sure it can do what I want it to do...

If someone has the time to answer this I would really really appreciate it!!

Many thanks
Anna-Maria

[BJ_M]

dvd is mpeg2 -- though you can also use mpeg1 (not very common)....

yes you can use the stand alone recorder to record your old tapes - as long as there is no macrovision .. off the air should be no problem ..

if its a noisy source (old vhs tape are bad) -- your quality will be very poor by not using a software encoder and noise filters and such (something they dont show in the TV ad) ..


i have no idea if you need the hard drive model or not ..

[macleod]

with regards to hooking up the vcr to the dvd recorder, while I have personally never done it myself (I am waiting for the DVD burners to come down in price )if they are home grown VHS tapes (the kids and such), it shouldn't be a problem, however, if they are commercial VHS tapes (produced after I think 1988 or something like that), it will be more difficult as they have something called macrovison on them. Macrovision, basically, causes the output to look like crap and is used to prevent people from copying copyrighted material (imagine that ). Just like everything else in this world, there are ways around it, however, this board doesnt look favorably on members saying, "do this/get this to get around that".

As far as dvd burners (standalones, not pc dvd burners), there is a link for dvd writers on the left that has people's comments regarding different types of burners that is very good. I'd give that a whirl. IF you find one that the comments look interesting, most of the members are open to you sending them a personal email asking for more info). It is a great resource.

With regards to the MPEG2 format and taking the VHS -> DVD -> computer conversion to another format, yes you can do that. What you would need to get is a DVD ripping software, (check "links" on the left for dvd ripping software). I personally use DVD2SVCD, however, there are quite a few good DVD ripping softwares out there. From there, you'll need a conversion software like TMPGENC. Versions 12a and below are free for mpeg2 conversion down to mpeg1 or to other mpeg2 formats like SVCD, CVD, XSVCD, XVCD, etc.

Can't really talk to the video bruner with a HD. From my readings, the HDS basically enables you to watch another program and/or watch what you've just "burned" as it is burning.

What'd I'd recommend at this point (in addition to everything else ) also is to look at dvd players on the left and see if you and your friends/family's standalone dvd players will play either DVD-R/W.

Hope this helps

[anna_maria]

Hi,

thanks for your fast replys, I am impressed!!

Naturally I have come up with some more questions I forgot about....

I have both PAL and NTSC tapes I need to be able to copy to DVD, is that possible?

Also, can I copy back FROM DVD to video tape?

Can I get a zone free one? (ALL)?

Thanks again,
AnMa

[BJ_M]

you can buy a vcr that plays both ntsc and pal ... i think most dvd recorders can take either type ... check thier specs ..

here is a Multistandard VCR for $75 http://www.donlinte.com/level2/hvmx1000.htm

the Samsung SV7000 is also multistandard

there are several others avaiable -- your second best quality would be from a unit that can output with a s-video cable ....

your best quality would be a unit that can output into the standalone with a firewire connection (this would require a dv/vhs player which are a lot more money ($400 on up) and i dont know if multistandard. )

an issue would be if you make a pal dvd --- how are you going to play it ? unless you have a tv that is also multistandard (as well as a dvd player) ..


copy from dvd to vcr is easy -- except if macrovision is on dvd ...