From the Beginning, please.

[denise]

Hi,
I was so relieved to find this site! I am hoping you can help me. I am trying to create a video of my stallion that I can use to advertise him to mare owners. My video clips are all on VHS, but I want to find a way to take those clips, upload them to my computer, edit them and add music etc, then download them back to my VHS primarily. I would really like the option to copy the video to a CD but not sure that is even possible. My questions are:

If I buy a DVD/VHS recorder, and copy my VHS to a DVD can I then view it on my computer and edit it, then send it back to the DVD and then back to the VHS tape? I say VHS primarily because many horse people prefer it - the DVD or CD are not always readable/compatable.

If yes, then what software, connection cables, or other items will I need to buy? I know I will need the DVD/ VHS recorder. I have an 80 G computer with 512 Ram. Is this adequate to run and edit video? I can read DVD's but can not burn DVD's. I do have a CD burner. Not sure if I can burn a CD for video, can I? I don't want to get into the hassle of burning DVD's.

If I am way off track, please can you tell me what you would suggest as the simpliest way to accomplish this task. I could probably find someone to do this for me but I enjoy being creative and would really love putting this video of my stallion together on my own.

Thank you very much!

[Solarjetman]

Yes, you can use a set-top DVD burner and edit the video on your computer. However, there are two things to consider...

1) Doing that may reduce the quality of the video (this can be reduced with practice but not eliminated)

2) How do you intend to get it back to VHS from your computer?

The first item just takes learning about tricks to maintain quality. As for the second item, if you have to buy hardware to do that, you may think about just skipping the whole VHS/DVD recorder (unless you want one for other reasons) as you could save money by just geting the computer parts to have your computer record directly.

And finally, yes, you can make a video on a CD. They are called VCD or SVCD (depending on the type of disk you make). However IMO the quality is slightly less than VHS, and it is not extremely compatible with DVD players.

[denise]

2) How do you intend to get it back to VHS from your computer?

Thanks for your help! I saw a DVD/VHS recorder that will dubb both ways. I was thinking I could dubb the DVD back to the VHS using that device.
This was the recorder I wanted to buy:
http://www.1-888camcorders.com/1888camcorder/drmv1s.html

Possible?

Denise

[Rookie64]

'K...do you already have any video/audio editing software?

Yes, with a CD burner you can create and burn your own video CDs (VCD)
and your computer is more than adequate to run and edit video for both VCDs and DVDs.


To record to VHS from your computer, you need a video card with output or a capture card with a video output such as an ATI All-In-Wonder.


DVD/VHS combos are not a DVD recorder - you won't be able to record to DVD with one of those.


Vegas Video will do everything and more that you're asking about...but it is $500 to buy.
But if you're going to invest in a standalone DVD recorder, it will be around the same amount.

I'd suggest you download the trail version to see if you like it first...and maybe you can even do your project within that time without needing to buy.

There are many other tools you can use for editing as well though (which won't be as pricey)...Vegas will allow you to do more and most user friendly in my opinion.


And yes, you would be able to rip a DVD to your hard drive to do editing...and have the option of writing to a CD or outputing to your VCR (2nd option requires a video card with output)


Cables could either be RCA - the same kind you'd use for stereo, DVD players, video cameras, video game consoles

Or a S-Video cable...which are available at Radio Shack or various online stores.

[denise]

Yes, I do believe I purchased my Dell with a Video Card. How can I tell for sure?

The Vegas video sounds ideal and yes, I am willing to spend the money. I figure it would cost me at least that to have someone else do it - but this way I will have gained the knowledge to do others down the line.

So maybe compiling my video clips to one VHS and sending it out to maybe even Walmart to have it transferred to a DVD would be the first place to start? Then I can edit from the DVD and send to VCD or VHS.

Basically, with the video card and cables I would attach my VHS camera and record to it from my computer?

Denise

[Rookie64]

If you're gonna buy a video card with output, you may as well get a cheap All-In Wonder card...that way you can do all the video capturing yourself from your VCR.
Once you've done you're editing, you can then either output back to your VCR or make VCDs or do both.

It doesn't need to be a fancy card - there are a few that are priced under $100
I have a All-In-Wonder VE with Theater 200 chip, which was just a little over $100....and it does impressive capturing.

Anyway, it's just something to consider.


The video card that comes preinstalled with your computer usually is a standard card without outputs.
But you can check where your monitor is hooked and see if there are any outputs - it would be located on the same card (assuming your card is PCI/removable and not part of your computer's motherboard)

[denise]

Boy, that sounds like the easiest solution! VCR direct to computer and back again.

So I can get cables that would connect my VCR Camcorder to my computer thru the video output card? My camcorder has a video in and out plug in..but they are yellow & white only. There is a button that allows me to select AV out or in. How do I find connectors that will fit my camcorder? Sorry...these details can really mess me up.

To review: I would need to buy:

Vegas Video software (or try the trial first)
Video output card - All-In-Wonder VE with Theater 200 chip
Connector cables to attache computer to VHS camcorder

Can you suggest best place to buy these items?


Thank you for being so patient.
Denise