Advice in plain English

[penn]

Hi, I need some advice in plain english i.e layman's terms. I have a Dell computer with a factory fitted DVD burner which as far as I know uses the DVD+R and DVD+RW format. What I want to do is to transfer my home VHS footage onto DVD and be able to edit it on my computer but play it back on both computer and a DVD recorder. I have not yet bought a DVD recorder as I need advice on which way to do all this. From what I have read so far I am of the opinion that the best results for transferring VHS to DVD is with a Canopus analog to digital converter connected to my computer. If I go down this route will I be able to do what I want or would it be better to just get a DVD recorder with a hard disk and use this to transfer the VHS to DVD and take it to the computer for editing. With all the different DVD formats I am confused about what is possible and what is not possible. If I go down the Canopus route what model DVD recorder would you recommend.

[Epicurus8a]

I'm sure you can expect to hear many opinions..

IMO, you only need the Canopus device if you intend to do sophisticated editing. Most people will probably be perfectly satisfied with a good quality DVD recorder such as Pioneer or JVC. And as an added benefit, you can use your computer while the recorder is in use for TV or home movies.

Having said that, there are ways to edit the MPEG2 VOB files, even though they aren't really intended for editing. IMO, Womble Mpeg Video Wizard works very well. Womble offers a 30 day free trial, so check it out.

I have two Pioneer DVD recorders. One is a basic machine, 210s. I also have a 420H-s. The 420H-s comes with an 80 Gig HDD for storage and simple editing (cutting out commercials). The 210s has DV, but the 420H-s doesn't. If you want both DV and an HDD, get the 520H-s.

The Pioneer features are numerous. I don't have a link handy, but you can visit the Pioneer web site and down load the owners manuals and check out the goods.

You might also want to do a videohelp search on the benefits of Time Base Correctors. These devices can help improve the stability of video tapes.

Good Luck!

[edDV]

I'd basically agree if you don't want or need sophisticated editing.

My suggestion, download the operator manuals for a selection of DVD recorders with hard disk. Review the editing capabilities and decide if that is enough for your needs.

[BroganMc]

I have a Dell computer with a factory fitted DVD burner which as far as I know uses the DVD+R and DVD+RW format. What I want to do is to transfer my home VHS footage onto DVD and be able to edit it on my computer but play it back on both computer and a DVD recorder.

From what I have read so far I am of the opinion that the best results for transferring VHS to DVD is with a Canopus analog to digital converter connected to my computer.

The above posters gave you sage advice.

The only question I have is how much editing you want to do on your computer?

If you talking simple cuts (take out commercials or shots of your foot) the less time-consuming route is a DVD Recorder with its own Hard Drive. You can chop out video, edit titles, produce a DVD with a standard menu that is viewable in DVD players and computers.

If you want to cut and also add titles, fades & scene transitions, background music, special effects (slow-mo/fast play), etc. then Canopus or a similar hardware capture device is your friend. (Did you know most miniDV camcorders do the same thing? Look up "Analog-to-Digital Pass-Thru")


DVD Recorders replace your VCR, are quick and easy, but give pretty boring menu displays.

Computer editing requires software to edit, to author (make those menus), to encode (convert to DVD-compliant files), hardware to capture, to burn a DVD (you've got a burner), and massive space on your Hard Drive (5GB per DVD or 13GB per hour depending on your file format). Some "All-In-One" Video packages (Ulead Movie Factory, Nero Vison, etc.) allow you to simply record that video straight to DVD.

You can also use a DVD recorder as your analog source (if you're not trying to capture store-bought videos)

See, there is no one way to do this (convert VHS Home Video to DVD). The best way is usually defined as "what you are willing to spend on hardware, software & media combined with the time you are willing to give and your familiarity or interest in a certain methodology".

I delved into video editing with the tools I had: Windows Movie Maker, a free trial of Ulead MovieFactory and a CD burner. After my first Video CD, I found I liked it. So I graduated to miniDV camcorder, used Pass-Thru, got a better encoder, and a DVD burner. Now I have a DVD/VCR recorder and more software added to my arsenal. My new home videos are edited creations captured and burned with my PC. But my VHS library and tv recordings are going straight to DVD with the recorder. I know I can get fancy and edit on computer later if I desire.

Good luck with whatever you chose.

[penn]

Thanks all. Some interesting and helpful information here already. So, if I bought a DVD recorder with write capability of DVD-R only, connected my VCR to the DVD recorder and recorded my VHS home movies would I be able to download the DVD recording onto my computer for editing, given that my computer DVD burner drive is DVD+R format. Presumably if I went the Canopus route I could edit my digitised home videos using Ulead or similar and burn them using my DVD+R burner and view the final DVD's on most DVD recorders.

[Epicurus8a]

So, if I bought a DVD recorder with write capability of DVD-R only, connected my VCR to the DVD recorder and recorded my VHS home movies would I be able to download the DVD recording onto my computer for editing, given that my computer DVD burner drive is DVD+R format.

This is true. You can rip the DVD files to your HDD, then edit and re-author to +R. NOTE: DVD video is MPEG2, and MPEG2 isn't really intended for editing. There is, however, editing software available. https://www.videohelp.com/tools?s=107#107 If you want to add transitions, music, supers (etc.) MPEG VIDEO WIZARD can do this without sacrificing quality.

Presumably if I went the Canopus route I could edit my digitised home videos using Ulead or similar and burn them using my DVD+R burner and view the final DVD's on most DVD recorders.

This is also true. And you'd have much more creative freedom because you would very likely be using one of the advanced editors. https://www.videohelp.com/tools?s=17#17

It all depends on how much time and money you are willing to invest in your new hobby. Believe me when I say this: If you aren't already on the brink of insanity (like me), you will be in 6 months or so when you find yourself knee deep in manuals, discs, and devices.

[MOVIEGEEK]

I recommend Ulead VideoStudio to edit .VOB's,add chapters,menus,etc.

[jimmalenko]

I would agree with everyone above, and say that if you're planning on buying a DVD Recorder anyway (that's how I read it), save your cash on the ADVC's because I don't think you'll get any beneficial use out of it if you're only doing VHS to DVD.

With your DVD burner, it may be only write to +R/RW, but it should still read -R/RW discs, so that it doesn't matter if you use + or - in the DVD Recorder when transferring the VHS. As mentioned, you can either get a DVD Recorder with a har ddrive and use it's inbuilt editing facilities (YMMV though), or simply rip the disc created by the DVD Recorder on your computer and use any of a number of MPEG-editing tools, such as MPEG-VCR or VideoRedo, to name just two.

[Epicurus8a]

Think of it in steps.


Beginner = DVD Recorder
Intermediate = DVD Recorder & computer editing
Advanced = Canopus & computer editing


Meanwhile, don't miss out on this! https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=253941

If you're not a member of Costco, they will still sell to you for a few dollars more.

[Guitarman]

I, myself, have 2 DVD recorders w/ HDD and computer based Mpeg capture equipment. Since getting the DVD recorders, the capture device has been collecting dust.

I have found that even if you plan to create cool custom authored DVD's with software programs, it is much easier to capture/record the footage with the standalone recorder.

I will usually record to the HDD, transfer to a DVD+/-RW, take it to the computer and rip the video file with something like DVD Decrypter which will copy the multiple VOB files to the computer as 1 complete file. I can then edit, trim, cut, copy, paste to my hearts content with the editor of my choice (I use Womble's Mpeg Video Wizard). Then I take the edited file and author it with Ulead's DVD Workshop to create the final DVD.

The original DVD+/-RW you started with can now be erased and used again.

For the price you're going to pay for a decent capture device, you could have a DVD recorder w/HDD and still be able to accomplish it all.

[BroganMc]

Plain DVD Recorders (sub $200) can work the same way as HDD models ($300-$500) as long as you're recording to DVD-/+RW in VR mode. You can do the same editing as the Hard Drive models but directly on the disc. Finalize and rip to computer for more editing. (I wonder if it's faster since you are recording directly on the DVD and not HDD to DVD.)

Keep in mind the editing features of a DVD Recorder are intended for cutting commercials. If you want to capture analog footage to then edit with titles, transitions, music, etc. you're using the DVD Recorder's ability as a capture/encoder device. Don't pay more than you have to for just that.

Caveat: VR is not playable in many DVD players as is (different file structure and wrapping). You'll need to convert to DVD-Video with an authoring program. Ulead Movie Factory 3 Disc Creator version (get Disc Creator) has a one step COPY function that converts a -/+VR disc to DVD-Video in about 8-10 minutes.

Or you can import VR files directly to author your own DVD menu. I find VR files are really just mpeg-2 with Playlist (i.e. cut list) information added. I am able to edit them in VideoRedo as is. Womble's stuff can edit as well. So can Ulead (but it will want to re-encode).

Good luck!

[Soopafresh]

Man, if all threads were this good...

[lordsmurf]

Beginner = DVD Recorder
Intermediate = DVD Recorder & computer editing
Advanced = Canopus & computer editing

I totally disagree with that statement.
I use a DVD recorder and some of this work here is FAR from beginner.

- Simple conversion work = DVD recorder

- Advanced conversion work, Simple editing work = DVD recorder or capture card with small amount of computer editing.

- Medium (DV) editing work = capture card and computer work (the Canopus card goes here!)

- Advanced editing work = NLE/RT capture card and heavy computer use

[Epicurus8a]

Thank you LordSmurf,

From a technical point of view your remarks are more accurate. As penn requested layman's terms I purposely omitted a 4th category, "Professional." This would have included NLE/RT.

Further, I agree the quality of DVR conversion can be quite high. I have tested a few units with a variety of reference signals, and found the results to be very good (compared to tape) at higher settings. Some units meet or exceed local broadcast quality (at least in my area).

My remarks, however, were more in terms of money and learning curve, which is an equally valid viewpoint. (Aspect ratios, bit rates, field orders, codecs, etc., can be confusing at times, especially to the layman.)

It all depends on how much time and money you are willing to invest in your new hobby.

I'm sure MOST of us will agree that a quality DVD Recorder will satisfy MOST people MOST of the time. (See my original post.)

[penn]

Thanks guys for all the help and opinions. Bottom line is that although I'm a beginner I can see that video capture, editing, authoring etc. is addictive and so have decided to jump right in at the deep end and get a Canopus ADVC 110. I haven't seen a bad report yet on the Canopus so I figure that if I get the best available then it's down to me to get the results. No disrespect the DVD recorder fraternity but I feel the Canopus route suits my needs better. Once again thanks.

[seekninfo]

A similar question was asked in this forum sometime ago. I think you can supplement the answers and suggestions you receive here with

[url]https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=245550.

From all the suggestions you can then decide which one will work for our particular situation.

[belder]

Hi penn!

There's some great information and I really have nothing to add except that I am right where you are with my computer. I have a trusty Pentium III 800 and Windows 98SE. (LOL) Thus, the Canopus Raptor card. What is your goal? Is it to transfer video camcorder footage to a DVD to give to your family and friends? How fancy do you want the editing to be? How fancy do you want the menus when the disc plays?

Does your Dell have Firewire (IE1394) or analog inputs for your camcorder? Many new burners will record either +R/RW or -R/RW. Maybe your doccumentation will have that info.

When you say "the best results for transferring VHS to DVD is with a Canopus analog to digital converter connected to my computer" do you mean something like this?
http://www.canopus.us/US/products/ADVC110/pm_advc110.asp

IMHO, if you're sending DVD's to grandma and family members, the DVD recorder deck is easier. I'll even say that firewire is great, but S-VHS makes a great looking DVD. The untrained eye will be hard pressed to see much difference. The menus are simple and chapter points will be negotiable depending on which DVD recorder deck you buy. Some DVD burning programs will allow you to burn footage directly to a DVD disc.

I load all home video footage onto my computer with the Canopus Let's Edit software. Canopus uses seamless capture which lets you dump all of your camcorder footage onto your computer that may have the 2GB limit. I use MyDVD that came with my SONY 510A burner to add chapter marks and add my own graphics to the menu. But, I've been editing video as a hobby since 1999 with this card. I have the Pioneer 420H on order from Costco. I've returned the iLO deck, but before made several DVD's of camcorder footage. Everyone who has gotten them seems pleased.

Good luck with this.