I'm looking to archive some videotapes I have to DVD. Some programs were recorded from broadcast TV. Others are commerical recordings of movies and programs never released on DVD. My VCR is a 4-head, but is not TBC enabled and does not offer s-Video connections. The number of programs I want to transfer is relatively small so I don't think I can justify the expenditure necessary to purchase a VCR with those capabilities.

For transfer purposes, my two options are to: 1) transfer to the Replay 5040 with hardware encode, via composite connection, or 2) to transfer to my PCTV tuner card (with brooktree chip) using the Huffy codec, also via composite connection, and then software encode.

I want the best capture possible, esp. for the commercial programs.

While ultimately the Replay is the easier method (VHS to Replay to PC via DVArchive), I'm not sure if it would produce the best quality.

What is the better option? Is the Replay's hardware encoding superior or at least equal to anything I could capture via the PCTV card and software encode? Or am I better off using the PC to perform a lossless capture and then encode?

Not sure if it needs mentioning, but the encodes will be of some rare animated programs and a handful of instructional videos.

I don't believe Macrovision will have an effect on either option so its just a matter of getting the nicest picture available.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Mumford, the All Purpose Nothing