I'm curious how this works.

I've got some old VHS tapes I'd like to convert to digital files. I don't really need them on DVD, but just the digital files will do. Then I can just keep them on the hard drive and burn them whenever.

Would it be less expensive to have some shop do this, or try it on my own? Which software would I need and how does that process work?

 

You need some type of input on your computer. I have a video capture card that takes the regular RCA type connections (as well as s-vid and digital in). The just use microsoft movie maker. It should already be on your computer.

Just plug in the VCR to the computer. Turn on movie maker. Press play on the VHS, and record on movie maker and watch it eat harddrive space like crazy!

 

http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,11.../article.html#

that article is great for this

i read a few things on this recently. doesnt seem all that hard.

 

Ahh, cool cool. I hadn't thought of a card that'd allow a VCR to connect to a computer, so fiendishly simple.
Thanks for the link, Lee.

I won't lie to you, these are what jumpstarted this idea...



I've got some other videos to convert as well, but I'll start with these haha.

 

HAHAHAH thats awesome

 

Cowabunga Dude!

Thats awesome, I have one of those tapes too and I had a super mario bros show one but its lost somewhere

 

Dazzle makes a device that gives you software and a box that allows for a VHS input. Belive it or not though, there is copywrite protection devices in VHS tapes and im not sure if using one of the boxes will cause those to take effect. If it does happen. It is easily fixed with a little box that is available at most electronic stores or online.

 

Big Tip: Don't get the cheapest capture card and save yourself some headaches. Also, make sure you research on synching the audio in case you buy a capture card without audio jacks.

Other than that, you should be set. You shouldn't have any problems with copyright as you are using the same RCA cables you'd connect to a TV, except they are going into a computer now.

 

Canopus AVDC110 (i think this is the model #) is a nice one but about $200 we use them all the time at work for analog cameras to interface with our software. If you want I may be able to do it for you, one hour of video will probably be around 20 gigs in the DV format it natively outputs but you can use WMM as mentioned earlier to convert it on the fly to a more friendly size.

Plextor makes a few nice boxes as well that will go Analog ->Mpeg2 and is probably much more practical (and cost effective) for people who don't need a DV signal.