Easy way to transfer VHS tapes

[Tavz]

Okay my dad wants to transfer all of our old VHS tapes to DVD. He wants to create menus and remove some scenes from the tapes. The thing is my dad knows nothing about this stuff. He can easily connect his VCR to his computer, thats all he knows. And we have a lot of tapes and he wants to do it all himself. So are there any programs that are fairly easy to use, or maybe a little walkthrough of the process? Thanks.

[hech54]

DVD Recorder....THE easiest hands down. Get a quality one....JVC, Pioneer.....etc etc. A hard drive model would be exellent for editing.

[Tavz]

I dont really know anything about the TV DVD recorders. So you can get one with a harddrive and edit them just like on the PC? That sounds alright, hows the quality and the price? Any recommendations?

[jimmalenko]

Do a forum search and you'll find plenty of topics.

I have to agree with hech here - it'll be much easier for him to pick up, rather than having to lean the whole capturing/editing/encoding/authoring/burning process on a PC.

Don't forget to browse the DVD Recorders section to your left <<<<<<< either

[vhelp]

If you (your Dad) wants to edit them, then a DVD Recorder is not really a
good option. I know you did not mention "quality", but that's something
else to consider w/ a DVD Recorder (if you need to edit them)
If you plan on editing them, then an MPEG type encoder might not be such
a good idea after all. But, if you (or your Dad) does not want to go
through the laborous process of learing the in's and out's of Video Editing
and Encoding and Authoring, etc etc, then the DVD Recorder is probably
the best alternative. There is a popular version that many here use, by
JVC I believe.

But, if you really want to edit them first, then your best bet is to go
the distance and learn the process. But, from a newbie point of view (NPV)
you're in for a ride. Anyways.. it doesn't mean you can't.. rather some
thing to think about. (it *is* a long jerney)

Anyways. There really is no other better (or easier) way (as you seem to
be hoping that there is) You have to go the distance.

* Capture card
* Good VCR (JVC w/ S-Video as minimum)
* Capture to AVI (captuer as S-Video)
* Edit your AVI (if they need to be) (IVTC** step)
* Encode your AVI (to MPEG-2)
* Author to DVD
* buy some popcorn and finally watch them costers (I mean, disks)

** if IVTC, this is a also a learning curve. But, this process add's some
quality to your VHS-to-DVD's (if done right) ..cause, w/out it, chances
are, your source will most likely not be close enough to VHS quality.

-vhelp

[nathanaa]

Your dad/you are in the same boat I was a couple of months ago. I wanted to transfer my VHS tapes from my wedding and such over to DVD.

After doing a whole lot of reading, I came to the conclusion that using a standalone DVD recorder is the best bet, at least for a newbie to this.

I bought a good (but not the best) Super VHS VCR, and a good (but not the best) stand-alone DVD recorder. I also got a TBC, which I feel is *very* important. The TBC is crucial to getting good quality out of older VHS tapes. You'll have to read up on what it does, but I've seen tape transfers done without the TBC and then with the TBC. It's an entirely different experience, hands down.

Now, cost wise this ran me about $800 all together, plus I suppose another $200 for high-end cables to get the best possible transfer quality. I spent it over the course of about 5 months, so it wasn't so bad.

Once I got everything and got it up and running properly, I was amazed at how easy it is to do. I personally don't miss not having a hard drive in my JVC M10 (or if there's one in there, I haven't figured out how to use it yet, lol). I do my editing on the computer. I play the VHS tapes and record onto DVD-RW discs in the recorder, and then (after finalizing the DVD) I toss the disc into the computer and do my editing there. Once I'm done editing, I burn the final product onto a DVD-R, and I can recycle the DVD-RWs presumably forever. I've only got 3 DVD-RWs, and each one has already been used about 40 times. (I'm almost done with the kids videos, whoo hoo! lol Who knew so much of their childhood had been recorded?)

You said your father had a computer, so he's probably comfortable using it, and I am guessing it will be far more comfortable to do editing using a computer than a DVD recorder/writer remote control.

There are a lot of programs out there I went with the ones the most people seemed to talk about, and the ones that sounded easy to use. Oh, and free whenever possible. I haven't had to pay much for software, which I really like, there's a lot of great freeware out there.

Stay away from all-in-one packages, the convenience isn't generally considered worth the hassle of using them or the lower resulting quality you/your dad will get from them.

What else? Use these forums, and ask every question (after searching) you think of, because some of the things that made absolutely no sense to me, *did*, after a one sentence reply from one of the moderators or expert here. The only stupid question is the one unasked.

I really like the equipment I got, I think it is generally considered better than the really basic stuff, but it's nowhere near professional. Try eCost.com, that's where I got the decks for good prices. The TBC I got from B&H Photo (I think that was their name). Good luck to you - once you get the hang of it (2-3 days once I had everything set up and started playing with it), it's easy and fun. Now I've got friends asking me to transfer tapes and stuff for them, make menu's, and it's a real pleasure

Here's what I use:

JVC HR-S9911U SVHS VCR
AVT-8710 TBC
JVC DR-M10 DVD writer
Walmart special 13" colour TV

The only thing about this set up I regret is the TV - I wish I would have gotten one with stereo audio instead of mono. That really sucks. I'll probably upgrade that and give the mono one to one of the kids when I have a spare few bucks floating around.

Oh - and don't skimp on the media, you really do get what you pay for (although you can get name-brand/high quality media for really good prices online).

[Leoslocks]

DR-MX1S

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home;jsessionid=BvIsqSxgi1!522875163?A=search&Q=&b =193&shs=&ci=5246&ac=&Submit.x=21&Submit.y=10

[Tavz]

Thanks a lot for the help and info guys. Personally, I have transfered VHS tapes to DVD using the computer and have done editing with them. However, I am moving out within a few weeks and my dad wants to do this to our old tapes. He wants the quality to be at least as good as the VHS tape so yeah quality does matter. He also wants to cut some crap out of tapes and create some menus to skip to certain scenes. He also said he may want to take a few scenes from different tapes and put them on one DVD.

So do you think I should take the time (LONG) and show him how to do it with the computer or find a rather good DVD Recorder with a HDD and recommend that? Maybe Ill try showing him how with the PC and if that doesnt work I will recommend a DVD recorder.

[nathanaa]

I'd recommend getting him a DVD recorder and giving him the programs he'll need. Tell him to come here, read up, and get down to it. He'll learn as he goes, and as long as he has the original tapes, he can't go wrong really. If nothing else, he shouldn't *lose* quality by transfering them straight to DVD-R/RW using a good DVD recorder.

Once he starts playing with making menus and such, just tell him to keep a set of original masters that he never gets rid of. Media is getting cheap enough it seems that he can stand to make a couple dozen errors for a fairly low price.

[lordsmurf]

DR-MX1S

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home;jsessionid=BvIsqSxgi1!522875163?A=search&Q=&b =193&shs=&ci=5246&ac=&Submit.x=21&Submit.y=10

That's a bit much, and the combo units are never any good. The VCRs are just horrible. Best solution: separate units. A VCR, a DVD recorder.

[Bob W]

The easy way and imo the best and fastest is simply get a DVD recorder (with or without a hard drive) then transfer the VHS to DVD+RW. To edit just copy the files to your computer and in my case I use NeoDVD Plus to do any editing which is the fastest program out there aimo.

[thecoalman]

Hmmmm...easiest way..... Have someone else do it. -or- find that girl from that commercial a few years ago that sticks the VHS tape in the VCR does a couple of clicks on the mouse and out pops the DVD. That commercial still cracks me up.


Since no one mentioned any computer capture devices I'd suggest a Canopus ADVC 100 which will eliminate most of the of the issues people have such as audio sync. For ease of use and quality for AVI capture there's hardly any comparisons, there's similar units slightly cheaper. Throw in a good VCR and a TBC and he won't be diappointed, expensive though.

I tend to disagree with the all-in-one are garbage statements. Give Ulead Video Studio 8 a try. Easy to use and learn, produces good results and has many options. If you want to spend a little more DVD Workshop 2 comes to mind which is a professional authoring app but will go from capture to burn. The editing options are limited, mostly trimming and it may be a little harder to learn to use.

[Leoslocks]

The truth of the matter is there is no Easy about (old) vhs to dvd. Computer related devices should not be Christmas gifts either.At least not to casual users or new users. Too much frustration and too time consuming.

Peace on Earth, Good will toward men.

[grossjamesh]

This is how I do it.
VHS tape -> TV -> TV Monitor Out -> Hauppauge WINTV PVR USB2 ->
WINTV 2000 -> HD.
Edit with Womble
Burn with RecordNow.

Use good media!

[vhelp]

This is how I do it.
VHS tape -> TV -> TV Monitor Out -> Hauppauge WINTV PVR USB2 ->
WINTV 2000 -> HD.
Edit with Womble
Burn with RecordNow.

Use good media!

I agree with this too. Is easiest

You can try either one of these (and many more) as your choice:

* PVR-250 / 350 / USB2 (hardwared MPEG cards)
* DVD Xpress (by ADS) (hardware MPEG USB-2 external device)
* DVD Recorder (JVC's are good brands)

Wombo MPGVCR "MPEG Encoder/Editor" ...

* The ceriousness of this *editing* is probably not that extravagent.
.. Run this through the above mpeg editor, though you'll have to learn
.. this too, and re-save (w/out re encoding, in most cases)

* You can do your DVD authoring (menu's etc) in most DVD authoring packages.

* DVD burner (I would recommend Nero)


Now, the reason I suggest the above, is simple. There is just too much
learning curve involved. Its easy for us to say do this, but that's probably
gonna be for a particilar scene (if you're lucky, a VHS tape) but the next
time, you'll more than likely run up against other issues requiring our
wisdom, etc. and for someone (your Dad) who's realy true goal is to just
*dump* them onto DVD disk, I don't think that the longer (Gravy Way) is best
after all.

I would try the above method first, as a test run. See how much you like
it.

IMHO, this site is devoted to helping those w/ their video endeavorings, but
as I said, IMO, it's for those who are *REALLY IN TO IT* for the long
haul, that this site will be best suited for.
I'm not saying to not come here I'm saying that if your Dad just wants
to dump everything to DVD disks, the above suggestions are good one's

Cheers,
-vhelp

[ZAPPER]

Tavz
If you can do it, so can your dad. Just start doing it together with what ever setup you are useing. Or get his system setup to do it and teach him by doing a few of the tapes that need to be converted together, this way some of the tapes get done before you leave and he learns how to do it himself. Show him the settings that you use, tell him why you use those settings, and let him know that there other options that he can learn about. When it comes to editing and creating menus it starts to take on personal taste and I am sure that he would like to express his own taste in what he is doing. Learning buy yourself (even with the help of this site) is what is makes most people think that video is so hard. I am sure that if someone where to provide some hands on help sitting right next to each other it would be 10 times easier to learn. And ultimately I am sure that your dad will like spending the time with you.

I am sure that being shown is the easiest way.

This sounds a little like a "Dear Abby" reply

[Nilfennasion]

I think experience has shown, and people here will back me up on this, that set-top DVD recorders may be the easiest and least time-consuming option, but they are also the least flexible. The manner in which set-tops store information is not totally compliant with the original DVD-Video specifications, which will cause problems if you want to create a backup of the backup, so to speak.

This is really not something you can sort out in just a couple of weeks unless you have a lot of spare money to do everything at once with. Working out a procedure that works best for you takes a fair bit of practice, and with the new formats being slowly pushed into the market, such procedures are always under review.

[ZAPPER]

I am not saying that someone could start from scratch and go to expert in two weeks. But if his dad can physically hook the VCR to the PC, it sounds like the basic equipment is there. And if he is interested enough to do that, he may already have the bug to do more. Given a basic start or a little tutoring things could grow. It was mentioned that he wants to do it all himself, so it sounds like the motivation is there. Show him what you know and then send him here. We will corrupt him and make him one of our own!