VHS to DVD help please

[jdlabelle]

Hi there, reeeaaallly new at this. I want to transfer some VHS home movies to DVD. I have no idea how best to do this given the amount of software and formats.

I have a Hi-8 camera, a geforce3 video card, a 20 and 40 gb hd. I have yet to purchase a dvd r/rw or anything else related to this process.

Do you have advice on what I should purchase?
Software?
Card to transfer video to HD?
Cable?
What movie format should I look to transfer into? I'm looking at getting the best quality movie format.
Also, how many minutes can I get on a dvd/r using this movie format?

Thanks so much.

Jeff LaBelle
jdlabelle@access4less.net

[fmctm1sw]

Start with the "how-to" guides towards the left. There is about a million things we can tell you right now. You will at the very least need some form of analog capture device to get you VHS sources to your hard drive.

This too.... http://www.vcdhelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=120876

[Tommyknocker]

Since you are new at this, remember to read the Newbie Guides first. Then, check to make sure your DVD player will play DVD-R(W) and/or DVD+R(W).

If it can, then you are ready to purchase your DVD writer. Use the database at left to find out what each owner thinks of each particular writer you may be interested in to help you make up your mind.

If your writer or card came with a bundled DVD player, you are almost set. buy a few DVD-(+)RWs to practice making DVDs. Use the RW disks to cut down on your overhead and to avoid making any coasters at this point.

Download TMPGEnc Plus and register it.

Now you only need to use you capture card to capture your video, TMPGEnc to convert it to DVD format, and your authoring software to burn it to a DVD.

[jdlabelle]

Thanks for all your help. I can't wait to get started.

Jeff LaBelle