Thread: Converting VHS to DVD

There are a number of ways you can do this.

VHS machine outputs directly to your computer - you may need a dedicated video card in your computer.

Get a decent edit package (which will have a video/audio capture function) and an external hardrive of about 500gigs, they're pretty cheap these days.

You'll need to setup the system prior to capturing.

Most edit systems default to USA tv standards check and set before capturing.

Set for Australia: PAL - D 625/50
Screen size: 768 x 576
Frame rate: 25 frames per second

You can chuck all the data onto the external drive and edit away to your hearts content.

Unless you have very fast computer, go easy on the graphics and special effects.

If the VHS tapes haven't had a run for a while it's a good idea to run them (fast forward/rewind) thru the machine a few times.

I like the idea of having a VHS machine where you can dump data from VHS to the inboard hard drive, but you'll need to ensure this device can talk (easily) to your computer (as PAL - D 625/50 at 25fps) for later editing purposes, and ultimate playback on your telly from DVD...

I'm assuming your VHS tapes are older and pre the change to HD/widescreen.

One other thing, VHS is a rather unstable system, however you go about capturing from the tapes,
ensure that the capturing device is capable of handling VHS's rather wobbly playback... or you'll get very frustated capturing. Some systems I've seen stop capturing every time there is a break in VHS control track or synch.

If you buy the VHS/HDD, get the seller to actually go thru the capturing procedure from one of your tapes.

Should work fine, but.......

Good luck, and keep us posted.

GQ

or do what I did, get yourself a DVD recorder with inbuilt HDD.

Play your VHS and record it directly onto the HDD of DVD recorder.

From there it's easy enough to edit out the bits and pieces as required and then burn it to DVD.

No laptop required

Originally Posted by Grizzly_Adams

or do what I did, get yourself a DVD recorder with inbuilt HDD.

Play your VHS and record it directly onto the HDD of DVD recorder.

From there it's easy enough to edit out the bits and pieces as required and then burn it to DVD.

No laptop required

those DVD recorders with inbuit HDD are really cheap now too ....

e.g.
http://www.dealsdirect.com.au/p/coni...r-dual-format/

jaycar used to have a device to convert analogue to digital approx $115

Or Buy a DVD Recorder/ Settop box that has a Tuner and S vid and RCA in....

Ohh i happen to have one for sale.....
PM me if your interested...

If you don't need to edit the video and just want to go straight to DVD, JB HiFi sell a small DVD recorder that has AV inputs. It is designed specifically to convert VHS to DVD.
We've just bought one for work, but I haven't had a chance to borrow it yet to do my videos. Once I have used it, I'll post some more details.