roger_d

Hey guys
I want to convert my family vhs tapes to cdr's on my computer. My computer is 3 years old. I have lots of memory and drive space. Please recomend some way of doing this for me. Thanks in advance.

cdrakejr

I've also starting looking to transfer VHS and even some older Beta tapes. I'm only waiting until the new TDK multi-format DVD burner comes out next month.
Here are few links that I've come across. Some refer to burning to DVD but the process is the same for CD.
The most helpful and complete I found was a new guide put out on the Lockergnome site. I was able to download it for free when the trial edition came out earlier this week. The finalized version will be available for a small fee, but well worth it in my opinion.

http://www.techtv.com/callforhelp/ho...308675,00.html
http://www.techtv.com/screensavers/a...406277,00.html
http://www.techtv.com/screensavers/a...406277,00.html
http://www.lockergnome.com/issues/digitalmedia.html

Hope these will be of some help.

The concern I have is that you say your system is 3 years old. Most of the guides recommend at least a 1Ghz processor.

Good luck!

Edit: Also this link:

http://www.brienposey.com/kb/vhs_to_dvd.asp

duz

www.vcdhelp.com

Use a capture card then convert to vcd/svcd and burn with nero.

Rogue588

cdrakejr...what's this "TDK multi-format DVD burner" that you're talking about..?

Steve Phillips

probably the same as Sony's Multi format DVD drive (records in DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R or DVD+RW)

Don't convert stuff to CD, the quality is awful. Wait and get a DVD recorder or drive.

Rogue588

ah..

so he means this one..

http://www.tdk.com/dvdburners/indidvd4x.html

cdrakejr

Rogue 588,

The burner you found is the single format burner from TDK, Model 420N. They will be releasing a multi-format burner, Model 440, in April.
Here is the link to their press release.

http://www.tdk.com/tecpress/indidvd_Jan9.html

ANDREMIKE

First off CDR's will only hold about 45minutes of video. Also don't expect DVD quality from a VCD.

Second you should buy a good video editing package with a capture card.
The one I highly recommend is SONIC FOUNDRY VIDEO FACTORY.

Let me also say not all CDR's will play on your DVD player as a VCD. Especially if you have a older DVD player. YOur player might say it can, but it can be very difficult to get it to work.

Some video cameras like the Sony's DIGITAL 8 or MINI DV allow you to pass analog video through the camcorder into the capture card. The interface to the capture card is a IEEE-1394 interface.
If you do not have a camcorder then you can buy a analog to digital converter. I think the one sonic foundry recommends is from Canopus.(?) Those run about $200.00. So if your camcorder is old you might think about just buying a camcorder for $200-300 more.

cdrakejr

ArsTechnica has posted a new guide to converting VHS. They base their guide on the Hauppauge WinTV card:

http://arstechnica.com/guide/audio-v.../vidcap-1.html

Just saw that the Lockergnome guide mentioned in my first post is now available (PDF download). There is a small fee though.

http://www.gnometomes.com/