Is there a way to get a VHS movie on my computer?

SuperCyrix

Platinum Member
Mar 4, 2001
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My Transfomers The Movie on VHS must live forever, however, VHS doesn't last that long. Is there a way to get a VHS video on my computer and hopefully then to DivX format?
 

BossDog

Senior member
Jun 21, 2000
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Hook up a capture card to the vcr and hit play. My old company used that Snappy capture device, but a Radeon AIW or the like should work fine. That should save the movie as an avi (non-divx) file. Then, using one of the many freely available encoders out there, convert it to divx. Be forewarned, however, that encoding can take quite a while unless you have a real high end comp.

P.S. Not to encourage piracy, but you do own a copy of this movie. As long as you dont make the file available to others who dont own the film, I dont think you should have any ethical qualms about downloading this movie from someone who has already done the encoding.
 

SendTrash

Platinum Member
Apr 18, 2000
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I have an all in wonder and it sucks.. I couldn't get audio to capture.. I recommend getting a dedicated capture card
 

SuperCyrix

Platinum Member
Mar 4, 2001
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I've purchased the movie awhile back for quit an inflated price for such an old movie on VHS. Couldn't find the movie at all on DVD so VHS was the only way to go.

I've tried the ATI TV wonder I have and I can't get it to record a 1/2 hour TV show correctly. Couldn't quit do the job/ skips frames/choppy images. Is it my hard drive can't write fast enough?

What video capture card do you recommand and where may i get my hands on it? I have a CeleronII running at 952mhz. 256megs of ram and adding. What other hardware should I have to make this work?
 

NicColt

Diamond Member
Jul 23, 2000
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>I recommend getting a dedicated capture card

For the money you can get a Digital Video Recorderthat records the feed directly to CD.

Or you can do the job with an AIW for half the price that would do it. No matter what card you use you need solid Software, Power and UDMA disk space.

 

TheCorm

Diamond Member
Nov 5, 2000
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The Radeon VIVO would capture it okay but don't expect anything special in screen size.

Corm

wait....i've had a better idea, hook up a USB webcam and point it at your tv screen and capture with that, pure class!!!! ;)
 

BossDog

Senior member
Jun 21, 2000
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Niccolt makes a good point. If your hard drive cannot keep up and is skipping, it might be because you dont have dma transfers turned on for the drive. Check to se if that is turned on.

By the way, if you get tired of that and just want to buy the dvd, its right here.
 

Dan

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
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I have good results using Creative's VideoBlaster. Just be sure you have a big hard drive.
 

SuperCyrix

Platinum Member
Mar 4, 2001
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I was using a raid setup with two 7200rpm Quantum fireballs. I think it's maybe becaue the ATI tv wonder just couldn't do the job. Perhaps buying the DVD is the best solution.
 

rbV5

Lifer
Dec 10, 2000
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<< I think it's maybe becaue the ATI tv wonder just couldn't do the job >>



LOL, yea, must be the hardware ;)

Actually, the TV Wonder should be able to capture VHS quality easily. Remember, VHS is only a little over 200 lines of resolution, perhaps you were trying to capture at too high a resolution, or you had a bad cable(s), or something set up improperly. Maybe try and mess with your settings a little at different resolutions. Analog Video Capture is time consuming and has a bit of a learning curve. I get excellent results from my AIW Radeon BTW, so it is possible.
 

zzzz

Diamond Member
Sep 1, 2000
5,498
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Is matrox Marvel a good card for this?
How about the rainbow runner studio attachment?
 

PliotronX

Diamond Member
Oct 17, 1999
8,883
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The DVD will ultimately look a lot more clean than any VHS/digital convergence, it has extra stuff, and remastered Dolby 5.1, too.
 

Jagged

Junior Member
May 30, 2001
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Will the TV-Wonder interfere with my G2?

I was thinking of getting the TV wonder. I just want the cheapest capture card to put camcorder movies to my CD's. Can the TV-wonder do it? What else is comparable in that price category. Under $100? TIA!

Jag
 

renfield33

Senior member
Feb 6, 2001
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TFTM is out on dvd (i know this b/c my friend has it - and EVERY FRIGGIN TRANSFORMER!) it's a pretty impressive collection. i recommend song #1 of the soundtrack.. you've got the touch!
 

acexg1

Senior member
Feb 24, 2001
355
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NicColt, I have an AIW Pro and IMO the video in quality isn't very good, and I found their software a pain in the @ss to use.