VHS to DVD: what connections to use?

[Stabes]

I'm wanting to get my VHS tapes to DVD, and was wondering which connections to use. My VHS player only has RCA's for Video-out and left and right Audio-Out. Do I use a cable from these connections into the back of my PC? And, what connection do I use into my PC? Lastly, which software is best for the conversion process?

TIA

Noob Mart

[redwudz]

If all your VCR has is RCA (Composite video and L+R audio), then that's what you will have to use. I assume your computer has a capture card, as you will need that.

Which program you use for capture depends a lot on your capture card. You could try VirtualVCR or VirtualDub.
Or other capture programs and codecs are here: https://www.videohelp.com/tools/sections/capture

After you capture the video, you may need to edit it or convert it to other formats. For that you need an editing program and a encoder program.

If you want to end up with a DVD, you would need to convert to the MPEG format.

[Stabes]

Thanks for this.
No, I don't have a capture card. What is this? Any specific one I should look out for?
Would the card not come with the software I need for all the recordings/conversions etc.

Mart

[SmokieStover]

There are two basic types of capture cards, those that hardware encode or hardware-assist encode directly to MPG2 at DVD standards (ATI 550 Pro, ATI All in Wonder, Hauppauge 150/250/350), and those that hardware encode to DV-AVI (Canopus, Data Video, ADS).

Many VHS movie tapes use an anti-copy scheme that all the ATI cards and the latest Canopus box detect.

DV AVI runs about 14 GB/Hr and must be encoded to MPG2. Looking at your computer specs, I would estimate encoding time of 2.5 to 3 times capture time.

Here is a very good place to invest some time:

http://digitalfaq.com/

[powerpc123]

A Video Capture Card is a generally defined as a piece of hardware to which you connect inputs from other devices such as a VCR or cassette deck. The capture card receives the input from the device in analog format and converts it into digital format.

Perhaps you are asking a more fundamental question like, How do I transfer my VHS video tape to DVD?

Forgive me if I am oversimplifying or stating the obvious but any number of methods can be used - all have their own advantages and disadvantages. A few methods would include:

Record with a DVD Recorder: A DVD recorder is a video device specifically designed for consumers to record to DVD, even if they don't own a computer. Connect the output of the VHS/VCR player to the input of a DVD Recorder.

Record with an External Video Capture Device: An external capture device is a small box that sits between your VHS tape player and your computer. Connect the cords from your VHS tape player to this box. Connect this box to a USB or Firewire port on your computer.

Record with an Internal Video Capture Card: A Video Capture Card is a piece of hardware inside your computer to which you connect to devices such as a VCR. The capture card receives the input from the device in analog format and converts it into digital format.

Contact a professional service - Essentially bring to / mail them your VHS and they give you / mail you back a DVD.

[oldandinthe way]

Are you sure you want to do this?

Given the current state of your knowledge you will be facing a steap learning curve.

Many people who have some VHS tapes to transfer buy a DVD-recorder, Walmart has Magnavox and Funai SV2000's for about $50.

Creating a DVD will take about the time it takes to watch the VHS.

Copy protection issues and how to get around them are well documented on the internet.

[Stabes]

Thanks all for the replies.
Yeah, going out and buying a DVD recorder would be great - unfortunately, I don't live in the USA (South Africa in fact), and these things tend to be a little more expensive down south

Mart

[redwudz]

The ones SmokieStover mentioned might be some good choices. Look into the Hauppauge 150. It's fairly economical and works well for many people.

Down from there is a lesser known basic card that you should be able to find cheap. One example is this Kworld card. This is from NewEgg, but you should be able to find this or a similar card closer to your part of the world. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815100120

Something like this is very basic, but low cost. Maybe a good place to start if you need a economical solution.

It will take a bit more work as the capture is usually in AVI type format. Then you would encode the video to a DVD compatible format and author to DVD. You can do all this with freeware.