VCR that hooks into a computer

[outworldxx]

Hello everyone,

I'm not exactly sure where to post this, i wanted it in hardware, but the only forums available there is for DVD burners/writers/etc.

But i'm looking for a VCR that is compatiable with a computer. Perferrably one that would hook in and copy to an video file in a fast mode. (sort of like the dub buttons on older stereos.)

I'm not sure if one of these exists or a vcr that hooks in without the speed thing, but i think i saw one in "White Noise" but then hollywood can "create" any illusion for their movies.

Does a vcr like this exist...in the movie he was able to control it on his computer, like rewinds, fast forward, etc.

If this does exist and anyone knows where i can purchase one, please let me know.

I tried to do a search for it, but havn't come up with anything useful. I really don't know what to type in to look for one. The keywords i've tried ended up taking me to site that offer all kinds of things, but not exactly what i want to acheive.

Thank You,

Danny

[lumis]

http://www.bcdusa.com/pcvcr/index.php

[edDV]

Any Digital8 or MiniDV camcorder can be controlled via IEEE-1394.

Many other pro decks. What tape format do you want? What is your budget?

[yoda313]

Don't the JVC digital vcr's have firewire and stuff? I know they can record hdtv onto special videotapes. Wouldn't those be able to playback standard vhs videotapes over the firewire?

[edDV]

You mean digital VHS? (D-VHS). I don't recall any computer control of the deck, but it may be possible.

http://www.jvc.com/product.jsp?productId=PRD4603000&pathId=50

[jlietz]

Perferrably one that would hook in and copy to an video file in a fast mode. (sort of like the dub buttons on older stereos.)

Although that would be sweet, its not gonna happen. You can't capture faster than real time. I'll defer to someone else to explain the technical reasons why.

[JAB285]

http://www.bcdusa.com/pcvcr/index.php

$995? Wow.

[edDV]

http://www.bcdusa.com/pcvcr/index.php

$995? Wow.

Again tell us your budget. You are in expensive territory. If you flinch at $995 I won't even tell you about > 1x transfer and it won't be VHS format.

[jlietz]

... I won't even tell you about > 1x transfer and it won't be VHS format.

I'd like to hear more about it...please share.

[edDV]

Google Digital Betacam. Also DVCpro (selected models) and DVCAM (selected models).

[yoda313]

You mean digital VHS? (D-VHS). I don't recall any computer control of the deck, but it may be possible.

http://www.jvc.com/product.jsp?productId=PRD4603000&pathId=50

Yes that's what I was referring too.

[outworldxx]

My budget...not that much i was expecting to pay around 200 - 300 at most.

I'm looking to transfer alot of old tapes to dvd through my pc. Since these are so expensive, other than just buying a regular vcr, is there anything special out there to clear the videos up or any neat features that would come in handy?

Danny

[edDV]

My budget...not that much i was expecting to pay around 200 - 300 at most.

I'm looking to transfer alot of old tapes to dvd through my pc. Since these are so expensive, other than just buying a regular vcr, is there anything special out there to clear the videos up or any neat features that would come in handy?

Danny

Have you explored the standalone DVD recorder option?

[thecoalman]

I'm looking to transfer alot of old tapes to dvd through my pc. Since these are so expensive, other than just buying a regular vcr, is there anything special out there to clear the videos up or any neat features that would come in handy?

Many are using the JVC 9911, has a few features on it such as variable speed FF and RR. Most important feature(and probably most expensive) is a a little button that enables the LTBC/DNR. It will help eliminate timing problems and clean up a lot of noise on many tapes. There's quite a few features really, and any combination of them can have helpful, neglegible or bad results... depends and it usually helpd quite a bit if your tapes are older, they can all be independantly turned on or off. It's about $350 US.

There's othe devices you can get, check out some of the stickies in the restoration forum.

As for you original question, No not in a consumer product. If there is such an animal it's going to cost a small fortune at least for the 2x. Firewire controlled on the other hand I don't see why something like that couldn't be made cheap but it would have a relatively small demand which is why you won't find it. I would be like making a casseste deck that you can play on your computer... no need.

[yoda313]

I would be like making a casseste deck that you can play on your computer... no need.

Actually I remember seeing a post here showing a 5 1/4 drive that played audio cassettes. Though I think it only had analog hookups so you'd be stuck doing realtime copying the same as an external cassette deck. Still cool though

[BJ_M]

Google Digital Betacam. Also DVCpro (selected models) and DVCAM (selected models).

hahahaha -- i bet he jumps right and buys a DVWM2000 for $42,000 (which is cheap compared to the $60k, the 500 used to go for) -- and you forgot HDCAM and HDCAM SR

[JAB285]

My budget...not that much i was expecting to pay around 200 - 300 at most.

I'm looking to transfer alot of old tapes to dvd through my pc. Since these are so expensive, other than just buying a regular vcr, is there anything special out there to clear the videos up or any neat features that would come in handy?

Danny

I noticed that you said transfer and not edit. If all you want is a simple transfer of vhs to dvd, then JVC makes something on the professional side that might be of interest to you. It's a combo S-VHS/DVD recorder with some of the advanced features you're looking for. It's the SR-MV40US and it's going for $389 at B+H. I've left a link to it below.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=393952&...goryNavigation

[edDV]

I was responding to what he saw in the movies.

...

I'm not sure if one of these exists or a vcr that hooks in without the speed thing, but i think i saw one in "White Noise" but then hollywood can "create" any illusion for their movies.

Does a vcr like this exist...in the movie he was able to control it on his computer, like rewinds, fast forward, etc.

If this does exist and anyone knows where i can purchase one, please let me know.
...

outworldxx was looking for two features, remote control and >1X transfer.

Remote control can be done in various ways with pro decks but consumer VHS is limited to IR remote control commands.

>1x transfer is not possible with VHS.

[edDV]

My budget...not that much i was expecting to pay around 200 - 300 at most.

I'm looking to transfer alot of old tapes to dvd through my pc. Since these are so expensive, other than just buying a regular vcr, is there anything special out there to clear the videos up or any neat features that would come in handy?

Danny

I noticed that you said transfer and not edit. If all you want is a simple transfer of vhs to dvd, then JVC makes something on the professional side that might be of interest to you. It's a combo S-VHS/DVD recorder with some of the advanced features you're looking for. It's the SR-MV40US and it's going for $389 at B+H. I've left a link to it below.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=393952&...goryNavigation

DVD recorders with an IEEE-1394 only input dub video over firewire, they don't allow remote control of the VHS tape deck through that port.

The uses are straight DV camcorder dubs or dub output of a DV format file or timeline on a computer to either S-VHS or DVD. You can't go the other way.

Per B&H site
"• Firewire Input Only

Signals from external DV sources and NLE systems can be recorded via the FireWire terminal. These signals are converted in real-time to an MPEG-2 signal for DVD and analog video signal for VHS. The SR-MV40US is compatible with all popular non linear editing systems including those from Apple, Adobe, and Avid. "

[JAB285]

My budget...not that much i was expecting to pay around 200 - 300 at most.

I'm looking to transfer alot of old tapes to dvd through my pc. Since these are so expensive, other than just buying a regular vcr, is there anything special out there to clear the videos up or any neat features that would come in handy?

Danny

edDV


I was responding to the last post by outworldxx. In it, he asks if there is anything special out there with neat features. It seemed to me that he was refining his original request when he realized the cost,etc. I know that it won't work with the PC, but he seemed to be asking for other suggestions. I just tried to give him one.