Need Capture service

[kevinhanson]

I do not have the hardware to transfer video from 8mm to my computer.

I am looking for recommendations of someone in the Greater Seattle area who can "capture" the video from my 8mm tape so that I can then do my own video editing and DVD creation from there.

Thanks for your help!

Kevin

[zoobie]

is there a craigslist seattle?
yellowpages for a video lab
online mail-order
buy a capture card and DIY

[CogoSWSDS]

Is it Digital8 or DV? If so, get a firewire card for your computer and a cable to hook the camcorder to your computer. Download WinDV and use it to transfer the video.

There are some inexpensive cards available on the 'net as well for analog video. Folks around here seem to like the Hauppauge (sp?) cards like the PVR-250, which does hardware MPEG encoding, giving you something that's nearly ready to go to DVD.

Another solution if you're transferring Analog video is a device like the Canopus ADVC-100,110, etc. devices. These devices convert the analog video to DV, and you can then use the previously mentioned firewire card and WinDV to transfer the video to the computer.

Note that some computers (like mine) have a firewire port built in so there may not be a need to purchase a firewire card. You'll still need a cable.

The above is applicable if you have more than a few tapes or if you anticipate more in the future. In the long run it'll be less expensive than having someone else do it, and you'll have more control too.

Sorry this does not cover your original request for a video lab in the Seattle area, but I tend to think along the lines of zoobie who suggested doing it yourself.

CogoSWSDS

[thecoalman]

I do not have the hardware to transfer video from 8mm to my computer.

Maybe you do... what "8mm" format are the tapes in now. Do you have a cam to play them. And if they are analog hi-8 tapes do you have mini-dv cam?

The reason i sask is some mini-dv cams have what is called a pass-through feture. you can hook a VHS deck or hi-8 camcorder to it and it will make the conversion for you. No need to buy anything except for may be a firewire card which is relatively cheap and you need one anyway if you have that type of cam.

[kevinhanson]

Hmmm.... actually, I *do* have a mini DV camera. It's brand new. I'll look into the pass-through feature.

Thanks for the advice, everyone.

[kevinhanson]

UPDATE:

Thanks everyone for your input. I discovered that my own mini-DV camera does NOT have the pass-through feature, but a friend had one that does. I picked up a firewire card at Fry's for < $20 (and that included the cable I needed, too!) and I was able to get a copy of Vegas Movie Studio Platinum from a co-worker who moved on to some other software.

Long story short, I finally got the peices to fall into place and I was revelling in my new role as "Mr. Capture/Edit/Burn". Whew! There sure was a lot more to this than I had expected.

Thanks again for all your help!

Kevin

[Noahtuck]

There sure was a lot more to this than I had expected.

Yeah, but you got it done, now it's not so hard and you have the satisfaction of doing it yourself and not having to pay someone else to do it

[kevinhanson]

Roger, that!

Thanks again, everyone.

[edDV]

UPDATE:

Thanks everyone for your input. I discovered that my own mini-DV camera does NOT have the pass-through feature, but a friend had one that does. I picked up a firewire card at Fry's for < $20 (and that included the cable I needed, too!) and I was able to get a copy of Vegas Movie Studio Platinum from a co-worker who moved on to some other software.

Long story short, I finally got the peices to fall into place and I was revelling in my new role as "Mr. Capture/Edit/Burn". Whew! There sure was a lot more to this than I had expected.

Thanks again for all your help!

Kevin

If the video looks too bright (washed out) use the Vegas levels filter to correct. Ask about settings if this is a problem.

Hint. Evaluate on a TV monitor set for good OTA/cable TV contrast and brightness. Don't adjust the monitor, adjust the Vegas video levels filter.