Transferring VHS to DVD

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Carbo

Diamond Member
Aug 6, 2000
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Going through my collection of old VHS tapes I realized I have some that really need to be preserved to DVD.
Not having any idea how to, I'm wondering just how this can be done. I Googled some info online, and the going rate seems to be about $30 per tape...ouch! That'll add up fast. Can this process be done at home? Any input is appreciated. Thanks.
 
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kini62

Senior member
Jan 31, 2005
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Depending on your budget look here
http://www.canopus.us/US/products/Index/product_index.asp

An add in card is the best way to do it. Analog to digital, especially with long tapes can cause problems with audio sync using cheap USB boxes or analog pass through with DV cameras.

If you have a MiniDV camera that has analog pass through I would try that first though. If you have audio sync problems then try and record to MiniDV tape and then transfer to PC. It'll take twice as long but may work better as far as audio goes.

If you have a lot of tapes the first solution would be best, however.
 
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Carbo

Diamond Member
Aug 6, 2000
5,275
11
81
kini62, thanks for the reply, but I have to admit to being lost. That link you provided is way out of my league.
A neighbor told me an easy way to do this is to plug my VCR into my video card. Then copy the tape to my hard drive, and from there burn it to a DVD. This sounded too easy, though. Is this feasible?
 
jamesbond007

jamesbond007

Diamond Member
Dec 21, 2000
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Originally posted by: Carbo
kini62, thanks for the reply, but I have to admit to being lost. That link you provided is way out of my league.
A neighbor told me an easy way to do this is to plug my VCR into my video card. Then copy the tape to my hard drive, and from there burn it to a DVD. This sounded too easy, though. Is this feasible?
Click to expand...

I think for you, a set-top unit would be best. Like this one.

A buddy of mine got this unit for about $260 shipped on eBay. Not bad for a unit like this.
 
yukichigai

yukichigai

Diamond Member
Apr 23, 2003
6,404
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Okay. I'm too lazy to look this crap up, so you can google it yourself.

I'm assuming you live in the US. If not, replace all instances of:
"29.97fps" with "25fps"
"352x240" with "352x288"
"NTSC" with "PAL"

Capturing the video is easy, provided you have a capture card. These are cheap now, at least for capturing VHS. If you have an old TV tuner card lying around, chances are it'll work.

Get a program called VirtualDubMod from doom9.org. You'll also need the HuffyUV codec to capture with. Select File->Capture AVI. Make sure your Video is set to a resolution no greater than 352x240, using YUV2 or UYVY colorspace, using the HuffyUV codec. Audio should be the highest-quality PCM setting available with a frequency of either 48000Hz or 96000Hz. You should be able to figure out the rest of the capture process.

Once you have your video file, download the trial version of TMPGEnc and follow my VHS to DVD guide. I'll update it later with a few templates so you can use either MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 video, and so you can use KDVD instead of regular DVD. (Far more video fit on a DVD)

After you've converted the file, author it with something like DVDLab. If you don't spring for the included burner, you'll have to burn it with an external program. Unless you have Nero, you'll have to create a new DVD, then add two folders: "AUDIO_TS" and "VIDEO_TS". Then just drop all the .VOB, .BUP and .IFO files into the VIDEO_TS folder. Burn and enjoy!

Any questions, PM me.
 
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leaglebob2

Junior Member
Apr 13, 2005
3
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Carbo==I think what you are doing is very close to what I am doing. If its not too much bother, could you post again in a few weeks and let us know what your final solution is??

FYI==You can get a Liteon 5001 unit for @$125 that will record DVD's "IF" you can find approved blank media for it and "IF" you get a good unit. Seems the Liteon ((if not all dvd related equipment these days)) either works real good or real bad. Whatever you buy, buy it as if you are going to return it because YOU are the final quality control these days. Mine did not work well until the firmware was update, now it works acceptably well. At 6 hours per .17cent DVD, the picture is better than the original. Tape jitter is removed. Best of Luck. bobbo.
 
gsellis

gsellis

Diamond Member
Dec 4, 2003
6,061
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0
The easy way is as JB007 linked. The fun way is with a myrid of capture methods and a video editor/DVD authoring package. Pinnacle has a couple of Studio kits that include AV capture devices tied into their app and the software authors on the timeline (create the DVD menu and chapter points on the same line as the video edit.) Adobe released a lite version as I think Sony, but not sure they ship with hardware. The best device is the Canopus firewire attached devices as the 110 and higher can actually correct video issues before it gets to the PC. Lots of options including that $29 MPEG conversion card too. Just note that some NLEs cannot natively edit MPEG or do so without a loss of quality.
 
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