External box to capture VHS to burn to DVD

[cmdrdredd]

So my dad found a stash of old VHS and wanted to put them on a DVD. I can't put any PCI cards in my box, I have no room so I need an external solution. What is the best option out there? Do any of them come with software that is any good with stable drivers for Vista x64?

I'm running Vista Ultimate 64-bit and need something that can function with that and allow me to capture a VHS tape and burn it on a DVD. Seems simple, but I don't know where to start. Old threads mentioned a PCI card that sold for $10 which is no longer available and I'd need something external anyway. What's my best option?

Thanks

 

[Dorkenstein]

I use a Canopus ADVC-110 which is firewire, works a treat.

 

[ChAoTiCpInOy]

You should probably invest in a VHS-DVD player and just show him how to use it. It's been a lot easier than capturing it onto the computer and burning it onto the DVD.

 

[masteryoda34]

You could also look at getting an external TV tuner. Many of them have RCA inputs, and then you get a TV tuner also.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Originally posted by: ChAoTiCpInOy
You should probably invest in a VHS-DVD player and just show him how to use it. It's been a lot easier than capturing it onto the computer and burning it onto the DVD.

No because I need to be able to create multiple copies, create custom menus, and also provide a video file for PC viewing. I have the storage space, but not the hardware and software.

I also need to be able to pick and choose portions of the video, cutting out the junk like someone recording with the lens cap on, accidently recording the ground while walking around etc.

 

[Koing]

Originally posted by: cmdrdredd

Originally posted by: ChAoTiCpInOy
You should probably invest in a VHS-DVD player and just show him how to use it. It's been a lot easier than capturing it onto the computer and burning it onto the DVD.

No because I need to be able to create multiple copies, create custom menus, and also provide a video file for PC viewing. I have the storage space, but not the hardware and software.

I also need to be able to pick and choose portions of the video, cutting out the junk like someone recording with the lens cap on, accidently recording the ground while walking around etc.

that's going to be a big task!

Koing

 

[sivart]

Here is what I did with some home videos on both DVD and 8mm.

1) Original source to Panasonic DVD Recorder (recorded to DVD-RAM)
2) Took DVD-RAM to PC and did frame accurate editing with Video Redo (if you don't need frame accurate you can skip this step and edit in step 3)
3) Took edited video in to DVD Author (TMPGEnc) and created menu chapters (in some cases I created the menu background in Photoshop and imported into author)
4) Created image with DVD Author
5) Burned Image as necessary.

I found this the easiest way to get the best quality and fewest re-encodes of the captured data. I tried with a TV tuner card, but with all the variables gave up and did the DVD Recorder / PC route. It was really hard to find a quality / size combination that fit my liking)

 

[ChAoTiCpInOy]

I would do what sivart is recommending. That way you have the backup on the original DVD and then you also are able to take it into your computer and make the necessary edits.

 

[FP]

Yeah, this isn't simple.

I recently did this and it cost me about $800 and took 7 months to copy about 70 VHS tapes.

Expect to spend 3-4 hours per hour of footage.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Originally posted by: FP
Yeah, this isn't simple.

I recently did this and it cost me about $800 and took 7 months to copy about 70 VHS tapes.

Expect to spend 3-4 hours per hour of footage.

Ya I figured it'd be some time. However, I am not paying for the equipment and I am being paid for my time if I do it. So...