Thread: VHS video encoding / capture / editing

Hi All,

hoping somene can provide some guidance based on experience as there seems to be multiple ways to achieve what I want to do... I just dont know what will provide the best results.

In summary I have a large VHS video archive that I want to turn into DVD's.
Its not everything on each tape so I'd like to do a bit of basic editing also.

I know the likes of Dick Smith sell Video Capture cards etc but I think I've already got all the bits and dont need to spend the $100+

I have a mini DV cam that allows me to input Analogue PAL video from the VHS machine and output via the DV(IEEE 1394) interface and input into my Laptop that has a DV input. It can do this in real time , ie I dont need to record to tape and then playback.

This is where the dilemma starts
When I plug the DV cable into the laptop I get an autoplay pop thats asking.
Import Video - using Windows Import Video (creates WMV files)
Make a DVD - using Ulead DVD MovieFactory 5 (creates MPEG and AVI files)
Start Encoding - using Windows Media Encoder 9 Series (creates WMV files)

For VHS quality material is there a prefered goto digital format that gives a better quality ...

and then ....

Whatever I capture I then need to edit, is any file format eaiser than the other ?
Which editting programs are easiest to use ?
I only want to do basic cut, fade to black , cross fade and insert title type work.

Again I'd like to use what I've got , it seems as though the laptop has
Ulead DVD MovieFactory 5
Windows Movie Maker

I'm sure there is many free shareware programs I can also download ...

My laptop is pretty old but seems to do what I need, its a

Intel Core Duo CPU T7500 @ 2.2GHz with 2GB Ram and running Windows Vista (yes I know its old)

Confused

Thanks in advance

Darren

Incisor used to do this. Maybe PM him a link to this thread to get his attention?