VHS to avi/mpg

  • Thread starter Thread starter Max
  • Start date Start date
M

Max

Hey all :)

I am kindda new to this,
I am gonna need some advice on this one.

I have a VHS video tape, 2 hours long.

ok, how do I convert this into avi or mpeg file?

What hardware do I really need?
Money is not an issue here.

I run win2K pro, geforce 2 mx video card, lots of ram and space...

I thank you all for your time.
:)

m.
 
Max said:
Hey all :)

I am kindda new to this,
I am gonna need some advice on this one.

I have a VHS video tape, 2 hours long.

ok, how do I convert this into avi or mpeg file?

What hardware do I really need?
Money is not an issue here.

I run win2K pro, geforce 2 mx video card, lots of ram and space...

I thank you all for your time.
:)
Click to expand...


All you need is a video input. Probably a TV tuner, like one of the Hauppague
PVR-350. http://www.hauppauge.com/html/wintvpvr350_datasheet.htm

This one has hardware MPEG encoding, and is of a better quality than the cheaper
version. It should come with the software to record from whatever source to
mpeg. Or you can use a third party program such as virtualvcr (that's what I
use) at http://virtualvcr.sf.net
 
Max said:
Hey all :)

I am kindda new to this,
I am gonna need some advice on this one.

I have a VHS video tape, 2 hours long.

ok, how do I convert this into avi or mpeg file?

What hardware do I really need?
Money is not an issue here.

I run win2K pro, geforce 2 mx video card, lots of ram and space...

I thank you all for your time.
:)

m.
Click to expand...

For loads of relevant info visit www.videohelp.com

Martin.
 
Hey all :)

I am kindda new to this,
I am gonna need some advice on this one.

I have a VHS video tape, 2 hours long.

ok, how do I convert this into avi or mpeg file?

What hardware do I really need?
Money is not an issue here.

I run win2K pro, geforce 2 mx video card, lots of ram and space...

I thank you all for your time.
:)

m.
Click to expand...

1) Determine best output quality option from the VCR. Typically
that's S-Video (preferred over) or composite (RCA jacks).

2) Buy video capture card or multifunction card with that type
of input (or that can use, hopefully comes with adapter to
convert to that input type). Spending a lot of $$$ won't get you
a lot here unless you want fancy bundled software... some people
do and others don't, depends on how much you want to edit it
afterwards.

3) If you didn't want to edit, then a card with hardware MPEG
compression would be helpful, providing MPEG was desired
destination format. If it isn't desired format or you want to
edit, then capture uncompressed or to a lossless format. Web
video forums and 'sites are a good place to learn about all the
options.

4) It'll look like crap on a computer, since you're taking
low-quality VHS, transferring it in analog and viewing on a
high-res screen... all the minor flaws and noise already present
will be more visable in addition to a bit of additional analog
noise... this is inherant in transfer of VCR tapes, nothing you
can do about it except use best quality output option possible as
per #1.

5) Conversion to a different format is done with the editor or a
conversion utility. For very basic conversions without fancy
editing, only cutting frames, you might try "Virtualdub" (google
search).
 
Grant said:
All you need is a video input. Probably a TV tuner, like one of the Hauppague
PVR-350. http://www.hauppauge.com/html/wintvpvr350_datasheet.htm
SNIP
Click to expand...

Try reading a lot of stuff at www.videohelp.com - that'ds where I got
my DVD burning education from.

You'll need a capture device - it'll have to be either a PCI card, or
a USB 2.0 or Firewire device. Check the reviews carefully, there's a
lot of cr@p out there. I'm using an ATI VIVO graphics card; it works
allright, but only captures MPEG2 - it's hard to edit.

I've heard that the Matrox RT.X100 Xtreme is the cat's meow - it runs
about $1000, but it's an excellent hardware capture and real-time
encoder, and it includes a bunch of high end software for video
editing and DVD authoring. At the lower end, the $300 Canopus ADVC-100
is legendary; I'm not sure it's made anymore, though. Any of the
Hauppauge capture products will do a good job too.

Note that if your 2 hour video is commercial, it most likely has
Macrovision protection on it - you'll have to break it (illegally!) in
order to copy the tape. The Canopus ADVC-100 allows you to side-step
the copy protection (I understand) to make your legal "fair use"
backup.

Good Luck!
ECM
 
ECM said:
You'll need a capture device - it'll have to be either a PCI card, or
a USB 2.0 or Firewire device. Check the reviews carefully, there's a
lot of cr@p out there. I'm using an ATI VIVO graphics card; it works
allright, but only captures MPEG2 - it's hard to edit.
Click to expand...

DO NOT EVER BUY a tv tuner from Zoltrix. Quality sucks, tech support email goes
unanswered, and the included remote control works...if you don't mind it using
50-85% cpu power (on an athlon xp 2000+).

I know the Hauppauge ones are good, both from personal experience on a friend's
system, and from the rave reviews on http://myhtpc.net forums, which is another
really good source of information.
 
Max said:
Hey all :)

I am kindda new to this,
I am gonna need some advice on this one.

I have a VHS video tape, 2 hours long.

ok, how do I convert this into avi or mpeg file?

What hardware do I really need?
Money is not an issue here.

I run win2K pro, geforce 2 mx video card, lots of ram and space...

I thank you all for your time.
Click to expand...

Just a quick comment on software:

Pegasys has a good quality software MPEG encoder for $100:
http://www.pegasys-inc.com/en/index.html

They also make a DVD authoring app that is practical if not extravagant.
 
One option is:

If its a one time project, there are businesses that provide such a service.
It could be a reasonable time saver.

They usually charge a rate by each hour of media ( in the range of $50/hour)
 
One option is:

If its a one time project, there are businesses that provide such a service.
It could be a reasonable time saver.

They usually charge a rate by each hour of media ( in the range of $50/hour)
Click to expand...

Okay, look Brad, I realize yer new to Usenet and yer kind of a dumbass, but do try and NOT top post
if your retarded lil monkey ass can POSSIBLY help it. Now, now, don't get all pissy and start
screaming about how YOU think it's somehow "better" or something, we've all heard it from n00b jobs
before and quite frankly no one is particularly interested in trying to explain to you how that's
the way it's been done for nearly a QUARTER CENTURY and about the reasoning behind WHY you shouldn't
top post, in that it seriously ****s up thread continuity, no, they just want you to shut the ****
up and stop pretending like you know **** all what you're doing...cause you don't. And trust
me...it shows.

BTW, only a RETARD would pay $50 an hour for digital media conversion. Hell I only charge $15 per
tape, flat fee, any form you like.
 
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