Well, unfortionatly, this isn't a one step painless type of thing. You are going to need some type of capture hardware, like a TV Tuner Card, or a Firewire/USB2.0 Breakout box with AV connectors to get the video into the computer. After that, the DVD Burner should include software to master the video to DVD.
Tekmaven
Software Architect
1,274 posts since Feb 2002
Reputation Points: 322
Solved Threads: 28
I just finished convertHS to DVD. WHile I have the PC Power to do the job it was much simpler to buy a stand alone unit to do the job. I was able to pick up a Pioneer dvd recorder and hooded it to the S-Video output from my VCR and get great effortless copies. I found the Pioneer for $149... at a local discount store. I liked it so much I bought two of the next higher model with 100 hour hard drives and editing capabilities ($299). It saved wear and tear on my hard drive and pc burner and did a great job of saving my deteriorating tape collection. Note: They will not copy copyrighted materials.
Thong_Ispector
Practically a Master Poster
638 posts since Nov 2004
Reputation Points: 16
Solved Threads: 19
I know this is an old thread, but...
If you are neading to purchase hardware for this, I would suggest just a stand alone appliance. You can now buy a VCR/DVD-R combo unit that will copy your tapes to DVD.
rus
Junior Poster in Training
50 posts since Dec 2004
Reputation Points: 11
Solved Threads: 1
Or if it's a small number of pre-recorded tapes just buy the DVD as that will be easier and quite possibly cheaper as well :)
jwenting
duckman
8,392 posts since Nov 2004
Reputation Points: 1,662
Solved Threads: 337
Or if it's a small number of pre-recorded tapes just buy the DVD as that will be easier and quite possibly cheaper as well :)
Yup you wont have some quality proble,s on those DVD's, like osme old taped have...
goaliemike
Junior Poster in Training
66 posts since Jun 2005
Reputation Points: 10
Solved Threads: 1
I dont care much for the stand alone combo units.
I have 200+ tapes that need to be converted to dvd...
I have better luck with a stand alone recorder and multiple vhs players ($35 each for Panasonic 4 head stereo)
With these old tapes I generally clean the heads after each tape so I use two players and while one is dubbing I am cleaning the other.
Many are 20 year old home movies that cannot be purchased over the counter.
I had all of my fathers 8mm converted to tape and now it is time once again to move it to a more stable medium. Luckily I used the best tape available at the time and things are moving along nicely.
Thong_Ispector
Practically a Master Poster
638 posts since Nov 2004
Reputation Points: 16
Solved Threads: 19
