Copying Video

[rockhopper]

I have quite a few VHS tapes that i would like to copy onto DVD or VCD. What do i need to do to get the tape onto my laptop so i get then burn a disk or would it be easier to get one of those combined DVD writer/VHS players?

[chrisw]

I'm on with a similar project for a colleague at work. Fortunately I have a Philips DVD recorder so I have linked up a VCR to it by scart lead to do the copying. I have then been using my PC's software to tweak the recording.

If you want to link your VCR to your PC then you will need some sort of video capture device.

May be a good time to jump on the DVD recorder band wagon. (Even Dixons are stopping selling VCR's). Cheapest I have found is Richer Sounds trade counter @ £89.

[rockhopper]

Oooo, that sounds interesting! Cheers Chris.

[chrisw]

Just had a look on the Richer Sounds site and all the £89 ones have gone. Cheapest is £104.95

[rockhopper]

So i can plug my VCR directly into a DVD recorder can i?

[chrisw]

Yep.

Dead easy. Interconnect the two with scart or phono leads. Select the correct source for the VCR input. I use the camera inputs on the front of the recorder for convenience. Select the recording speed for the DVD and set it recording. The only problem with VCR is that the recording is done real time, so 3 hours is just that. I also use a re-recordable DVD just incase there are any errors etc. I then burn it all to a DVD+R on the PC so I can mess about with the index screen, background music, etc.