VHS to DVD

[everglade]

I'm wanting to convert various bits of camcorder footage from VHS to DVD. These are strwen across numerous VHS tapes so will need compiling. Which of these methods would you recommend: 1. Buying a standalone DVD recorder such as Philips with an internal hard-drive, plugging this via scart to the VCR. Compiling, editting the clips, then burning to DVD..if copies are then required these would be done via the PC. or 2. Getting a top notch PC system and getting a TV-card with adapter for plugging direct to VCR. Compiling and editting the clips on the PC and burning then via the DVD Writer? I want to avoid if possibe the poor quality that you see in MPEG's that you get of music videos that are always very pixelated and jerky. Any advice much appreciacted. Thanks

[Capmaster]

It depends on how much control you want.

I have both at home.

The standalone route is the easiest and yields suprisingly good quality. The downside is creative control is limited.

The PC option, while more time-consuming, gives you more control over the capturing parameters. It also allows you an easier way to create menus and add in extras. You're free to use any software.

Not so with the standalone unless you manually copy it to PC and either copy back for burning, or burn from your PC.

Either method is subject to macrovision limitations unless you put a Timebase Corrector (TBC) or a stabilizer/clarifier inline between the source and your capture device.

[tigerman8u]

I use a capture card (ATI AIW 9000 pro). More control and excellent results when setup properly.

[everglade]

Using the PC based route,what sort of spec for the components would I be looking at ideally? Processor, hard drive, RAM, graphics cards sizes? I've got a DVD Writer that does both -RW and +RW (from what I've read, the +RW is the way to go..yes?) Hard drives I've been looking at are around 200GB, RAm of 512KB and a processor of 2.0GHZ...comments please? Thanks

[lordsmurf]

Click on "quick video lesson" and read a quick run down of options, what I suggest and use as my possible methods.

[everglade]

Thanks for that, very good tips on what vcr, etc to use, but what is a "TBC or clarifier" is that something that plugs in-line between the VCR and PC? or a replacement for the VCR? You also say to capture the videos in ATI MMC, which I presume is a name of the software. I'm not clear on how you get the image from the VCR onto the hard drive? via USB? or another video card with tv-in? sorry for the questions but I am new to this side of it all.

[everglade]

I've spent the last few hours reading up on this, I think I've gopt this now, combining what I've read with your description, I've found a JVC S-VHS video recorder, into which I plug a clarifier, that then plugs into a video capture device (I've got my eye on the Canopus ADVC-100) then into a USB2.0 into the PC. I've not yet decided what software to go for, I'd really like one that good for editting, particularly removing colour bleed. DVDExtreme any good? Hows this sound? Does the canopus mean I dont need the clarifier? Will this also achieve DVD images from the VCR with no pixelation? For authoring, looks like Nero one's of the most recommended. Again, any suggestions for creating a gopod DVD with menu's titles, etc? Thanks