[PCWorld]

Post your comments for Making Movies: From VHS to DVD here

[hnzido]

I found earlier this tutorial - http://vhs-to-dvd.janvesely.com/ it's working great but it's more time-consuming than yours. Thank you.

[jwhit]

any info on how to copy a vhs w/copy right to a dvd for safekeeping ?

[grenpc473]

Is there a machine for converting music from tapes to cds via a computer?

[chews54]

Hi.. I successfully copied a VHS movie onto a DVD and it ran ok..The problem was when a freind of mine played her copy and she paused it to get the phone.. but then resumed the movie but the sound disappeared. She tried it from teh beginning ...and the sound track was gone.. any suggestions??? That was strange..[Email removed for security reasons]

[Salrosen]

I spent quite a bit of time researching what kind of HW/SW to purchase to convert my video library to DVD. In addition to the cost, I would have to spend time to feed the tapes/DVDs through the process. I was going to do 1-2 tapes each night for over a month.In the end, I'd have hardware I didn't need after the DVD conversion was complete, so I decided to outsource it.I did research on the conversion companies. Price and turnaround time were factors, but mainly I wanted a reputable company since I was giving/trusting them to get my tapes back safely. I chose The Photo Archival Company.I got my 93 DVDs back in 2 weeks, labeled perfectly as I requested. I have already watched many of them and they are EXCELLENT!!! My final cost was just as originally quoted. I'm very happy and feel like this was a good choice. This is one of the sites I looked at when doing my research, so I thought I'd take a minute to write and save someone else the time...or help advise to go with a conversion company.Cheers,Sal

[Chicagoguy1]

I have been converting VHS tapes to DVD for a couple of years. When I first started there were few video capture devices and software editing programs. It would up to either have a firewire card or USB box which contained its own processor. I opted for the latter external movie box with its own processor which aided in off loading the conversion chore of the main computer. The software I selected was pinnacle Studio Version 8 with USB movie box. Quickly I found out I ran into one glitch after another with frequent lockups and DVD that failed in burning. Pinnacle said I needed a new USB drive for my Movie Box and also purchase (note purchase) the update Version 9 to fix the bugs. This went along just so so. Then my computer crashed and I had to get a new computer replacement. The new computer ran VISTA and again I was required to by Version 11 if I wanted it to work again. Also I had to install new drivers for the USB movie box. SO before I made another purchase (I am always skeptical of first releases on a new product for they tend to be buggy) I tried the USB patch for the UBS movie box. Guess what about every 5 minutes Vista would report and error with that device. As a customer of Pinnacle Software I was jabbed about every year around $100 which I am not happy about. So I was wondering besides going to a MAC what is a good capture and software editing program for VISTA? I am also looking for a company that will provide free software updates found in their product instead of being forced to buy a new version.

[Drodgers50]

Dear Chicagoguy, I read with interest your comments of your experience with Pinnacle Studio. l recently purchased Pinnacle Studio 12 but finding it had problems for me and since it seemed to be a rather unstable product, I returned it for a full refund. My quest continues for a more acceptble VHS to DVD converter.

[mjd420nova]

I have been transposing VHS tapes to DVD for years, at least since the first DVD burner drives hit the market. I use a PC with a Haupage video capture card. The input can be either composite video or DIN plug. The PC software then allows me to edit and compile the video before burning to DVD. There are many single unit devices on the market that will allow you to copy any VHS to DVD. I chose the PC route as I had the need to transpose not just VHS but VHS-C, one inch video tapes, 8 and 16 MM movies and slides to DVD. This is accomplished using a telecine device(translucent screen and mirror) and a simple camcorder. Many of the 8MM films are over 50 years old and the next pass through a projector may be their last as they are quite brittle and fading fast. The 16MM films are much older and in a bit better shape due to them being kept in safe storage but are still irreplaceable. I am not worried about any copyright problems as they are all my own personal property and not from a studio or movie company. I have also been using another PC with a Ceative sound card to transpose LP's, 45's, cassettes,CD's, reel to reel, eight track tapes and Quadraphonic tapes to CD's for safe keeping. All of those original formats are subject to degradtion over time but once input into the PC, the digital info will never degrade and will retain its full original content.

[Tech4me]

Pinnacle studio 12 is kind of over kill for you ...and complicated .

If you just want to transfer VHS to DVD directly "with out download to HDD" then use Dazzle DVD Recorder ..... This is kind of plug and play simple.

www.amazon.com/Pinnacle-Systems-82301006351-Dazzle-Recorder/dp/B001CBXEDG/ref=dp[uob[/u]title_sw?ie=UTF8&qid=1235966055&sr=8-10]

I have the older version but It works great .

.

[JimHall]

Living in Hawaii with it's salt and humidity, especially in the rainiest area, I have VHS tapes 30+years old. The problem I have is not in the transferring, since technology has come a long way, but in cleaning the tapes. Many, if not most have mildew built up. I bought a cleaner years ago that worked pretty good to clean the tape itself and now I can't seem to even find a machine for this. The services talk about it, but mostly photo restoration. With dozens of tapes to transfer, it makes sense from a cost stand point to buy the equipment, even though time is a factor, and do them myself. I still have my tape machine, somewhere, but would like to find a new or additional one with available supplies. Anyone know where I could find these? P.S. the first transfer equipment I used was the dazzle that came with my windows me. Neither worked very well and the reports I am reading make me believe that they still have issues with the newer dazzle equipment. I still have the hardware and wondering if it is useable.

[ThadThad]

I live in Hawaii too! I'm about to begin the process of transferring about 100 tapes of shows my band did back in the 90s to digital. My question is what kind of VCR should I use to get the best playback from my old tapes? And should I do anything to the tapes? I haven't played them in years! TIA

[coastie65]

ThadThad, on 13 January 2012 - 07:02 PM, said:

I live in Hawaii too! I'm about to begin the process of transferring about 100 tapes of shows my band did back in the 90s to digital. My question is what kind of VCR should I use to get the best playback from my old tapes? And should I do anything to the tapes? I haven't played them in years! TIA

Hi and welcome to the Forums. First, it would depend on the condition of the Tapes. If they were stored properly and in good shape that is a start. Secondly, another factor in which speed they were recorded. If in the highest speed mode than it would be of the best quality. Before dubbing you should fast foward the tapes to the end and it should automaticaaly reverse and rewind. The reason for this is get the proper tension on the tape which helps with the quality. That having been said, hopefully you used a good quality tape to begin with. I have a combo Magnavox VHS / DVD that does a pretty good job of VHS to DVD transfer. as you can see there are a lot of factors that will determine how well the DVD copy will look, including the speed of which you dub it to the DVD ( they have multiple speeds just like the tapes.