transferring vhs videos from vcr to computer

[dvdnewbie64]

I want to transfer vhs videos from my vcr to computer. I saw this "Diamond VC500 One Touch Video Capture Device", http://www.amazon.com/Diamond-VC500-Touch-Capture-Device/dp/B000VM60I8/ref=dp_cp_ob_e_title_0 on amazon.com. I'm intending to put these videos on youtube.

I have an older computer (6 years old) that only has a USB 1.0 port. Under hardware requirements it says that you need a USB 2.0. Will a USB 1.0 still work only at a slower transfer rate, or will it not work at all?

Is this the cheapest and/or easiest way to transfer vhs tapes to digital format on computer?

[Nelson37]

Well, first, I've been into capturing for almost 10 years and have never seen or heard of this device, nor ever seen it mentioned here. Do a search on this site, if nobody mentions it I would consider that a bad sign.

Transfer rate is EVERYTHING in video capture. Device likely to be totally unusable on USB 1.0, there is probably a reason that USB 2.0 is a Requirement as opposed to a suggestion.

You have apparently never done this before nor done much reading on the subject. A DVD recorder is generally considered the easiest method for a newbie. The DVD can then be easily ripped to the PC for editing and further conversion.

Since your target is Youtube, some compromises in quality can be made.

You are going to want a faster computer, and most likely more harddrive space.

[dvdnewbie64]

Thanks for that info. An yes I'm a complete greenhorn at this. If I use a dvd recorder, will there only be a small loss in quality? It's only youtube but the less data loss the better.

[dvdnewbie64]

If I get a dvd recorder that has DVD+R/RW and DVD-R/RW capabilities does that mean I can use DVD+R or DVD-R disks or do I need DVD+R/RW or DVD-R/RW disks? I know stupid question but if I can get away with the cheaper disks why not do that.

[guns1inger]

Do the math.

If you use write once media (-R/+R) because you want to keep the videos, then that is the best way to go.

If you are only transferring the videos across to your HDD on your PC so you can edit, re-encode and post on Youtube, then -RW/+RW (check your manual first) are a more economical way to go in the long run, as you can keep re-using them for 1000s of videos.

[dvdnewbie64]

Thanks. Duh, I forgot you can reuse the disks if they are in -RW/+RW format! Thanks for being patient with me.

[dvdnewbie64]

One more thing, is the -RW/+RW format compatible with most computer DVD players?

[guns1inger]

Anything only a few years old should be able to read and write to both, however each writer has it's own idiosyncrasies, and you may find that it prefers one over the other, or works best with some brands and doesn't work well with others. Often this is a process of trial and error, but paying a few cents more for good quality media reduces the likelihood of issues.

[dvdnewbie64]

Thanks, this is a great site.

[victoriabears]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815306013

Looking all over the net for reviews it seems one of those strange decives that works well for som e and awful for others, depending on how many tapes you have, you will need a new PC, and it seems this product does not play well with vista.