Does this exist ?

[jdecker]

I am attempting to convert several different formats of tapes...VHS, Hi 8, DV and so on. Is there an all in one deck/adapter that handles these?

Jason

[daamon]

Hi jdecker,

What do you want to convert them to? What's your end goal?

[Shocker Milwaukee]

To what do you want to convert them?

[johns0]

There is no equipment that can play all those formats,they have to be played in separate players of their own format.

[jdecker]

Hi jdecker,

What do you want to convert them to? What's your end goal?

I want to convert them to DVD, I understand the quality issue.

Jason

[daamon]

OK, as johns0 said - each format will require it's own player.

You could look into these for "adaptors":

1. Canopus ADVC-50 (or similar) - takes in various analog sources and digital (DV) and outputs as analog or digital to your PC.

2. Canopus ADVC-100 - same as the 50, but you can do PC back out to external device. The 50 doesn't do this.

3. DataVideo DAC-100 - Different manufacturer, same as 1 or 2 (don't remember which).

You'd want the digital ouput from any one of these devices and use something like WinDV, DVIO or AVI_IO to "capture" to DV AVI.

From there you'll:

A) Edit in your desired editing app - Trim, add effects and or audio.

B) Encode - Turn the finished project from AVI to DVD Compliant MPEG2. Popular encoders (in no particular order):

TMPGEnc
Canopus Procoder
Mainconcept MPEG Encoder
Cinemacraft Encoder

C) Author - Create menus, produce VOB files etc. Various tools, including:

TMPGEnc DVD Author (good start for newbies, fairly flexible)
DVDLab - More complex

Look in "Author" in "Tools" section.

D) Burn to DVD - Nero etc. Some authoring tools do this too.

Hope that helps...

[jdecker]

What I am looking for is the hardware aspect. I have an ADVC-100. I am just looking for a affordable solution to play the tapes without purchasing all of the recorders.

Jason

[daamon]

Sorry - I can't help you there. I would suspect that johns0 has hit the nail on the head though...

Good luck.

[trock]

JVC makes a unit that plays both VHS and DV but not Hi 8.

trock