wrote:
> I have a collection of about 30 VHS cassettes
> (movies I purchased,
> things I recorded off the air, camcorder tapes from
> friends) that I
> would like to convert to DVDs. I have not yet
> purchased a DVD burner for
> my computer (running eCS). I see that I have three
> options:
>
> (1) Send the cassettes to be converted by a
> professional for about $8.00
> each.
>
> (2) Buy a unit that can read either and write to the
> other (Sony has one).
>
> (3) Buy a CD burner and do it myself. I don't know
> how? Can I connect a
> VHS player to the computer? Can I burn CDs with RSJ
> 5.05 or must I
> upgrade it.
>
> Someone, please help me or tell me where I can read
> on this. I am a
> complete novice to VHS, CD, MP3, MP4, et al.
>
> Martin
Hi Martin,
Given the low-to-medium quantity of tapes you are
looking to convert, #1 may turn out to be your best
option. The combo VHS / DVD recorder units (Option
#2) are not of good quality -- that is IMO -- but your
standards may be different than mine. They can
simplify the conversion process, but won't transfer
any copy-protected material (such as commercial DVDs),
and if you run into any tracking issues with some
tapes you would probably not be able to deal with
that. That kind of feature is associated with the
professional-grade VCRs (hopefully what a good
conversion service would use), but purchasing one of
those doesn't seem to make sense for your situation.
Otherwise, a problem tape is often best played back
for xfer on the deck that recorded it, assuming one
still has access to it.
In regard to Option #3, you would need a DVD burner
for the computer rather than a CD burner, and a decent
capture card for the computer. I'm not going to say
this can't be done under eCS: quite awhile back, Jerry
did a SCOUG demo of a Hauppauge capture card plus
software from Europe (Emperoar ?), that might well
handle this job. However, unless you can find a
better deal for them Used on Ebay or somewhere , I'd
reckon the card has to run you around $150., and the
program license something like another $100. (That
might be competitive with what you'll pay the service,
though, and you'd get to keep the hardware etc. for
future use.) . . . And I'm sure there's a learning
curve involved. You would find a lot more options for
doing this via computer on the Dark Side, but not
likely much cheaper ones.
In regard to trying to convert any copy-protected
tapes, that is another can of worms you may not wish
to open. (There can also be "false-positives", where
the combo unit or standalone DVD recorder *thinks* a
tape is copy-protected, even though it really isn't.)
If you find any issues with the results of your xfers,
these may be fixable on the computer, via other
software. (Dark Side, definitely.) Perhaps Jerry
will have something to add here, if he is monitoring
this.
Hope this helps.
Jordan
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