Buying NEW Hardware for VHS to DVD Projects

[macleod]

dukehtran,

It is a "labor of love" . Really though, aside from making the chapters and menus, my time is (aside from testing) about 15-30 minutes. The REAL pain in the ass with the whole thing is the chapter/menu making (not the technical stuff).

What I tell folks is to tell me what they want and in general, they all stink at telling me what chapters they want and what they want them to say. What I get back from them (I have them watch the tape and write down the times and the comments to put in the chapters). This is what takes all the time because you essentially HAVE to go through the tape (albeit not real time) and "clean it up" (i.e. take out the blank video or the inclusion at the end of the last season of days of our lives).

So far, everyone that has had a dvd made from my panny and with my chapters and stuff have loved it. After not getting any information from people on settings to use on the panny (custom settings), I did some fiddlin' and came up with my own that reall make the picture look sharp and better than the original (my and my customers' opinion).

I figure that with my time, money, and need for stuff to be perfect, I should break even in about 5 years , but I really enjoy the satisfaction of that person telling me how great the video looks.

My only bitch moment with all of this are these damn computer salesman that are telling people how easy it is to convert their vhs over to dvd. I went back "home" for Christmas and had all my relatives ask me how to convert the vhs/hi-8/dv stuff to dvd. Each one of them said that they went to the computer store, BOUGHT a brand new system and was told that with this computer and an overpriced burner, ALL they have do is push a few buttons and presto they have a perfect dvd. They all say that their attempts look like crap and dont look anything like the ones that I do. Since they are family, I cant charge them so I end up having to convert their stuff to (was going to anyway, but not immediately). Whoops, doin' a little ramblin' here.......

Anyway, to all the bestbuy/compusa/etc. computer sales people, QUIT telling people that this is easy and selling people that dont know any better crap they dont need or will never learn how to use!!!!!

[SandmaN78]

Well, I appreciate everyone helping me out. This forum is great. I did order the ATI ALL IN WONDER 9800 PRO and it should be here soon. After I start to sit down and capture VHS tapes I will probably be posting like crazy. Thanks again for all the help, links, reviews, and input!