Converting VHS tape to DVD?

[YongChun]

Hi,

I am wondering if anyone is up on the latest and greatest method to convert old valuable Wing Chun video tapes to DVD. I know there are standalone units for $500-$2000 which mostly don't allow editing or chaptering and then there are computer methods that require maybe $10,000 worth of equipment and then there are professional companies that charge a lot and are not practical if you have a lot of tapes to edit and convert.

Ray

[Chief Fox]

I'm sure there's a lot of ways to do it. Here's one.

Equipment:
VCR, everyone has one of these no cost
TV, no cost
Digital Video Camera - I have THIS (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=6957607&type=product&id=1099383173899) one. $349
A computer with video editing software and a DVD burner - New E MAC with a Super Drive. Has a DVD burner and comes with I Movie software. only $999.

So for less than $1,500 you can get all the basic equipment you need.

You record from the VHS to the Digital Video Camera. You then import that video into your computer, edit with I Movie, make chapters and a menu, Export to DVD. Viola!

[Ernie]

Hi,

I am wondering if anyone is up on the latest and greatest method to convert old valuable Wing Chun video tapes to DVD. I know there are standalone units for $500-$2000 which mostly don't allow editing or chaptering and then there are computer methods that require maybe $10,000 worth of equipment and then there are professional companies that charge a lot and are not practical if you have a lot of tapes to edit and convert.

Ray

used this for a while before i got my Digital cam.
http://www.usb-ware.com/ads-dvd-xpress.htm

some sound sync issues but running dual drives [ which you should if your doing and video editing ] fixed

software is easy if you know were to go ;)

[Jeff Bussey]

Hey Chief Fox,

You could even go cheaper than the emac with a mac mini (I just ordered one), it doesn't come with a monitor but it does come with a dvi to vga cable for you PC monitor. The mac mini is $899 Canadian so that's like $300 American or something (that's my gorilla math coming out) :D

Here's a link to it

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore/

And again it would be the one with the super drive


J

[Spark]

I know you're in Vancouver, but here in Toronto I've used this place that simply records VHS tapes or those small ones from camcorders to DVD and it's runs about (depending on the lenght) $25-50 per DVD - then something like $10 per DVD after that.

You should just call around and see who does that (because I think it's pretty common these days) and just check the different prices.

[Chief Fox]

Hey Chief Fox,

You could even go cheaper than the emac with a mac mini (I just ordered one), it doesn't come with a monitor but it does come with a dvi to vga cable for you PC monitor. The mac mini is $899 Canadian so that's like $300 American or something (that's my gorilla math coming out) :D

Here's a link to it

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore/

And again it would be the one with the super drive


J
Hey thanks Jeff. I saw the Mac Mini in an Apple store in Tampa when I was on vacation this summer. Very cool. I can't believe how small they are. I actually already have a G4 but no super drive. I'm thinking about picking up an external dvd writer so I can start putting movies on DVD instead of VHS.

[Ultimatewingchun]

About 6 months ago I bought a Toshiba DVD RECORDER. (The model# is D-VR3SU).

Allows me to convert vhs to dvd, and vice versa. Hooks up to the TV and also serves as a dvd player and a vhs player (vcr).

Great stuff. Cost me about $350.00

[YongChun]

Some good advice. Thanks. With this camera:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=6957607&type=product&id=1099383173899

Can I also get movie clips onto the web easily? Right now I have a Windows XP machine.

Ray

[Edmund]

Some good advice. Thanks. With this camera:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=6957607&type=product&id=1099383173899

Can I also get movie clips onto the web easily? Right now I have a Windows XP machine.

Ray

Should be able to.

Make sure you got a Firewire card on your computer. That camera uses Firewire to transfer it to the computer. From there, you use video editing software to make your clips. If you want to make a DVD, you need DVD authoring software.

I would check what the quality of transfer is like for that camera. Going from analog to digital is a crucial stage in the process. There's some video cards that can convert analog to digital too. Perhaps you get more bang for buck that way.
If you don't really want a video camera you could save some money.

[KPM]

Hey Guys!

I have one of Sony's DVD Handycams. It comes with a USB cable that links it to your computer as well as editing software for making movies. The editing software saves clips to your computer so that you can arrange them in any order, add special affects, put them on webpages, create your own DVD's, etc. I've been pretty happy with it so far. You just have to make sure your computer has a writable DVD drive.

Keith

[hskwarrior]

the easiest and cheapest way to preserve the old tapes professionally, is to take them into a place that does transfers. the place i go to in San Fran only costs me 20-25 per dvd. if the tapes are that valuable to you, then i would suggest trying that.



:D hsk