Which VHS to DVD method for Newbie

[Anonymous8743]

I'd like to convert over 100 hours of family VHS to DVD and I'm planning to buy a new laptop (likely Vista HP, 3-4 GB memory, 250-320 GB HDD). I've been investigating for a couple of months and I've learned a lot from reading posts on this site. But I'm still confused as to what graphics card I should consider, and perhaps what method as well.
Here is what I'd like to do:
1. Create a copy of each vhs on dvd
2. Create edited dvds with "best scenes" from original vhs
3. Add basic chapters, still photos, transitions and perhaps cropped video as I learn how.

I know this will take a couple of years or more and I know there will be a learning curve. All I'm trying to do now is to avoid wasting time and money on my hardware choices. I don't need to become a pro, I'd be satisfied with good amature results suitable to pass on to the kids. I already have a vhs-dvd machine that produces .vob files, which I understand are "container" files. Can those .vob files be edited with programs like Sony Vegas? I don't yet have editing software, but Vegas is one program I'm considering. I guess what I'd like to know is if I can do all the above mentioned tasks without the use of a graphics card with video capture capability?

I've looked at many preconfigured laptops and it's difficult to determine if the included graphics cards have capture capability. Would it make more sense to buy a laptop with graphics on the main board and then add on a specialized card later?

Much of the discussion here suggests that I'll need several different downloadable programs to do all the manipulations necessary to accomplish my task. Wouldn't everything I need be contained in a program like Vegas?
I'd be grateful for any insight you could provide. Tim

[Baldrick]

Nope, you don't need several programs. It's mainly if you want to use free programs.

I guess I would use Mpeg Video Wizard DVD, it wont reconvert the entire clip and works fine with DVD/VOB/MPEG2 video. But you can also use Vegas, "From the File menu, choose Import, and then choose DVD Camcorder Disc. Standard and VR-mode discs are supported.". Ulead VideoStudio is another editor that you might wanna try also.

And try the demo/trials before you buy anything.

[usually_quiet]

I already have a vhs-dvd machine that produces .vob files, which I understand are "container" files. Can those .vob files be edited with programs like Sony Vegas? I don't yet have editing software, but Vegas is one program I'm considering. I guess what I'd like to know is if I can do all the above mentioned tasks without the use of a graphics card with video capture capability?

If your VHS DVD deck does a good job recording your tapes to disc, you don't need a capture card on the PC to get video that is useable for the project you have described. You would just import the video into your editor. If some tapes contain a lot of noise or don't play back very well, then you would need to get a better VHS player and/or other hardware, including a good capture card, in order to restore the video. ...or you could seek out professional services if there are not many problem tapes.

I've looked at many preconfigured laptops and it's difficult to determine if the included graphics cards have capture capability. Would it make more sense to buy a laptop with graphics on the main board and then add on a specialized card later?

Desktops are a better choice for video work. You can get faster processors, bigger HDDs, and you have more choices avialable when it comes to capture devices, if someday you need one.

Much of the discussion here suggests that I'll need several different downloadable programs to do all the manipulations necessary to accomplish my task. Wouldn't everything I need be contained in a program like Vegas?

If the video you capture using your DVD/VHS deck is good quality, you wouldn't need anything else. If you have to do some noise removal, it is likely you will want additional software for that.

[AlanHK]

I'd like to convert over 100 hours of family VHS to DVD and I'm planning to buy a new laptop

A laptop powerful enough to do video on is going to be big, heavy, hot and expensive, and gives no options to change video cards, or use any PCI capture cards, etc.

For the price of a good laptop you could get an excellent desktop and a cheap "netbook" style laptop, if that's what you need.

[Anonymous8743]

Hello again,
I just wanted to let you know how helpful your replies were in helping me decide what to start out with for hardware choices. I'm happy with the way my new computer is configured for now and I should have plenty of options if I decide to upgrade later. It was great to have this resource available. Thanks again, Tim

[Anonymous8743]

Could I ask just one more question please? Here is the setup:

All my video is coming from VHS tapes, which in turn came from an early VHS camcorder that produced relatively low quality video (at least in todays terms). I'm using a "VHS/DVD" box to convert the vhs to .vob files, and it produces what I think are exact copies of the original mediocre quality vhs. I have a trial version of Mpeg Video Wizard DVD and I've begun some simple edits to get familiar with the software.

So here is the question:

If I switched to another method, direct capture to computer hard drive through firewire for instance, would that allow me options to sharpen the video to some noticeable degree? If so, when does that occur? Does the enhancement take place during the capture, thru settings I'd make that control the capture? Or would I need to use software that had the additional capability to clean up the quality of the video after the capture? For that matter, I guess I should ask if the .vob files I'm working with now could be cleaned up by simply using other software?

I know I'm relying heavily on the old adage that says there are no dumb questions. Thanks again for all the help. Tim