Use a computer or all-in-one DVD recorder?

[flameout]

I hope this isn't off topic. I'm kind of new to DVD burning, and I have done a few, but it takes FOREVER!!! (converting to digital, then from avi to mpg2 etc etc)

I was just wondering why those desktop/home dvd recorders (like the Cyberhome) can copy old VHS tapes and burn on the fly right to DVD and a computer can't? I know my computer is to slow (Only a P2-400mhz) but I'm building a new one now, with a P4-2.8 mhz. Will this machine be able to do it?

I also bought an ADVC-100, an external Plextor PX-708UF, and a 160 gig drive, hoping this would be easier. Would I be better off just getting a seperate unit like the Cyberhome CH-DVR 1500, or is there an easier way than what I am doing.

First I feed my S-video signal from my sony camcorder into the ADVC-100, and on my computer, capture the video using DVIO, then I convert the avi file to mpeg using TMPGEnc, and burn to DVD using TMPGEncDVDAuthor. After about 2 days, I have a DVD

[donpedro]

I was just wondering why those desktop/home dvd recorders (like the Cyberhome) can copy old VHS tapes and burn on the fly right to DVD and a computer can't?

Becaouse they are specificaly build for that and they can't do anything else. Formula 1 is shitty car when I need to transport my family to vacation and minivan wouldn't stand a chance in Daytona 500

[donpedro]

First I feed my S-video signal from my sony camcorder into the ADVC-100

What kind of camcorder do you have ? VHS-C ?

[flameout]

It's an older Hi-8 model, a CCD-TRV65, but it has an s-video output, so I figured that would be better then composite, it not a digital camcorder though

[flameout]

I just wonder if I'm going about this the wrong way, I paid $299 for my Plextor burner and another $269 for my Canopus ADVC-100 converter and still can't do what I want, copy all my old vhs and hi-8 tapes to DVD (I can do it, but at this rate it will take months)

Why do the home dvd recorders do this so easily?

[andkiich]

1) research before the fact is important. Going into any project with little to no information will always get you spending more and getting less.

2) If all you wanted to do is copy straight from VHS to DVD, then a stand alone is generally best.

3) If you intend to do anything special at all with the video(menu, special effects, etc.), then a computer is generally the best way to go.

You can do what you want and even capture directly to MPEG2 with your existing equipment, read the guides on this site and you'll do fine.

[budz]

flameout wrote:

Why do the home dvd recorders do this so easily?

You have better control with using your pc to convert your vhs tapes, Hi8 tapes to dvd than using a standalone recorder. If I'm not mistaken a recorder can not create menu and chapters. Yes it is time consuming to do the capturing and conversions. You have the correct equipment to do it on your new pc. It will be able to handle the video editing and converting. You will not be disappointed with the CANOPUS ADVC-100 & PLEXTOR DVD BURNER.

[W_Eagle]

I just wonder if I'm going about this the wrong way, I paid $299 for my Plextor burner and another $269 for my Canopus ADVC-100 converter and still can't do what I want, copy all my old vhs and hi-8 tapes to DVD (I can do it, but at this rate it will take months)

You are right, pal -- it will take months, yet, there is no other way (I know of).
Indeed, you have the right equipment and your money is spent well. Only, there is unavoidable learning curve to this hobby.

Also, for archiving VHS and hi-8, you may well need a TBC (Time Base Corrector), especially if you are in NTSC land (USA). Please do some reading in the guides and posts here.

Why do the home dvd recorders do this so easily?

They are doing just one thing -- not what you are trying to do, not with the degree of control you are probably aiming at.

The good news is that once you will master it -- satisfaction guarantied.

Good luck. Welcome to the club.

[PhreakPhish]

walgreens charges $30 to convert vhs or 8mm to dvd - all they use s a recorder - you still have to find what you want to watch just like hooking the tape up to the TV - i believe that is the biggest rip off ever - its not hard to convert 8mm to dvd - just takes a lot of time when you want to make your menu's look very nice - all you need to do is capture to mpg2 and put that in an authoring prog and burn if you dont want menu's - will take the same time almost as the other way -( b/c it takes as long as the tape is) but now you can actually make menu's - every 10 min, every diff image or w/e - once you get use to it , it doesnt take that much time at all - i would do it through the comp any day

[peco]

Hello friend, I'm actually buying a Panasonic DVD recorder to copy my VHS and MiniDV direct to DVD. No Menus, no color correction and audio processing. I found myself it's a waste of time to use a computer in 80% of the cases.
For those stuff which need some specific authoring, audio and video editing/processing I still use my computer. But for most of the cases I decided to use the Panasonic DMR-E60.
If you can have both options is the best way. -- Read my posts (the one I started), and drop me a msg if you want.
I think that stand alone recorders are great and computer authoring too, is just a matter of which stuff you are dealing with. Which one needs to be authored and which one needs to be just "copied" to a DVD-R media. My opinion is to have both!
peco.vgfx

[donpedro]

If I'm not mistaken a recorder can not create menu and chapters.

You are mistaken

[donpedro]

Also, for archiving VHS and hi-8, you may well need a TBC (Time Base Corrector), especially if you are in NTSC land (USA). Please do some reading in the guides and posts here.

That's what ADVC-100 is for or am I mistaken ? (probably I am )

[lordsmurf]

I use both. I wish I could explain more, but my time is limited these days.

[ckdexterhn1]

I use both. Record VHS tape to my Panasonic E50, then reauthor on computer using TMPGEnc DVD Author. Nice full motion menus, nice quality, fully compatable with most DVD players. Happy camper!

[budz]

donpedro wrote:

You are mistaken

That's what ADVC-100 is for or am I mistaken ? (probably I am )

My bad about the menu & chapters. Yup you're mistaken.....The CANOPUS ADVC-100 doesn't have a TBC built into it. From this forum site most indicate that it is better to use a standalone TBC when converting vhs tapes and hi8 tapes to dvd. Others use TBC that's built into some svhs vcrs. I just completed capturing all my old betamax tapes to dvd. It took me 2 weeks to finish the capturing and I'm finishing the last of the video encoding tonight. The odd thing is I didn't have any video distortion like I did when I captured some vhs tapes. I guess I'll be purchasing a standalone TBC to use for converting my vhs tapes. After all betamax's resolution was better than vhs. I'm not going to start a betamax vs vhs war!

[fmctm1sw]

walgreens charges $30 to convert vhs or 8mm to dvd - all they use s a recorder - you still have to find what you want to watch just like hooking the tape up to the TV - i believe that is the biggest rip off ever -

You're joking right? Is that all they do? $30 for a 6 hour tape or per hour? Is this what Walmart does as well? You've got to be kidding....

[guillame]

I have a Panasonic DMR-100EHS and the manual is cryptic and poorly organized.
I can save all my Programs which were saved on a 30GB TIVO to my Panasonic hard drive or to direct to DVD.

I can input my Sony Camera firewire and record to Panasonic Hard drive or Panasonic DVD
I can transfer VHS taped to Hard drive or DVD.

I cannot transfer out a stored video on my Panasonic hard drive to my VHS VCR.
I saw a small footnote in the manual which indicated
such a transfer violates copyright laws and so its designed into the Panasonic not to transfer stored videos out to VHS tapes on a VCR

Would appreciate if someone would verify thet the latter statement is correct.

Note I have contacted Panasonic a few times and each time they just refernce a page in the manual.

[Perro Grande]

I use both a computer and a set-top unit. They each have their strong points and weaknesses. Perhaps this will help you make a decision.

I generally use the set-top unit for recording TV shows to watch later. Specifically, I record football (soccer) games to watch later. I can fit a 2 hour match onto one DVD-R or DVD-RAM and the quality is quite acceptable. The process occurs on the fly, so the duration of the program represents my total time investment for producing the DVD (well, plus a few minutes for "finalizing" the disc).

I use my computer when I need to process video in a specific way that the set-top unit cannot handle, or I want more advanced menus or sound. A great example of this is converting my LaserDisc collection to DVD. The set-top unit does an "ok" job at this, but to really fine-tune things to where I want them, the computer is a necessity. Additionally, the pure editing capabilities of the computer are vastly superior.

They both have their place. The computer is generalized hardware, while the set-top box is hardware optimized for one, and only one, task. As such, it can do certain things better than the PC right now.

The process you described on the computer is essentially what I do -- you're doing everything right. You might want to look at the Main Concept MPEG encoder. It tends to be substantially faster than TMPG (at the cost of some power). Nevertheless, it is a slow process. Some of my stupid projects end up taking weeks or months to complete -- especially if there is editing involved.