VHS to DVD via USB link... Lightweight...

[Budfred]

I am looking at options to record VHS tapes into my computer and then to DVD... I have looked at several of the packages out there that use a USB cable to connect a small device to the computer and RCA cables to the VHS source... Unfortunately, I don't have any basis to figure out which of the options would be preferable... I am not looking at making studio quality DVDs, so I don't need a major setup, but I would like to get the best I can at this lightweight level... If anyone has any experience with the products, I would appreciate an opinion... Here are some of the ones I have looked at:

http://www.directron.com/100703156.html

http://www.directron.com/moiveboxusb.html

http://www.directron.com/kwtvusb7011r.html

http://www.directron.com/wintvpvrusb2.html

http://www.directron.com/multrau30.html

http://www.directron.com/showcenter200.html

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16815100112

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814144702

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16815116613

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814144503

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814100007

And just to be sure... When it says "Composite In" that means it will accept those RCA cables??

Thanks for any ideas...

[anton muzic]

Bud,
I have only heard about the WINtv one and it is good as i use the Winfast TV 2000xp (pci card and firewire)

the composite cable should be a couple of colored ones at one end merging into
the box as standard.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ShowImage.asp?image=14-144-702-01.JPG,14-144-702-02.JPG,14-144-702-04.jpg&CurImage=14-144-702-01.JPG&Description=CTX%20MD002%20USB%202.0%20Interface%20 DVD%20Studio%20Xtra%20-%20Retail

if you don't have software for the conversion
http://www.winavi.com/

cheers mate
anton :)

[saphalline]

I'm gonna put votes in for the ATI TV Wonder USB 2.0 and the Pinnacle Movie Box USB. Both are good names in the video editing market. Although I admit that my experience in this area is limited.

When it says "Composite In" that means it will accept those RCA cables??Composite means those 3 RCA plugs that are red, white, and yellow. Red is for the right stereo, white for left, and yellow for video. Composite has been around a long time and is the second most widely used TV connection type (right behind standard coax) but the quality isn't as good as the latest digital stuff. Not a concern for you.

Composite should not be confused with Component, which is a set of 3 RCA plugs (yellow, blue, red) that are for video only. No audio. Each of the 3 colored cables carries a different color signal (Y, Cb, Cr) with the quality of the picture being much higher than Composite. With Component you still need a red & white audio cable for stereo audio (if you were connecting your TV to an HD-ready receiver, for instance). Component is not widely used for either TV's or PC video editing hardware (you can still find it, though).

[Rick]

Do you mean this one
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16815116311

and this one
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814144029


I am looking to do the same thing.
Without wasting the extra $ on a full blown TV card ..

The Old VHS and Beta tapes are near the end of their life and need to be duped to DVD :(

( yes I said Beta )

[saphalline]

BETA-MAX!!! You still got working Beta stuff, huh? That's pretty impressive.

[Rick]

Half a dozen tapes ( kids Stuff) and One player
The player is ready to die . (Hasn't been used in Years )
So it is time to make the copies

[Rick]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814144023

The Dazzle 150 USB / Pinnacle Studio Version 9 quickstart Video Editing Software works Great for recording the VHS to the hard drive

The Burning to DVD is another matter

Takes for ever to complete
But the resulting video on the DVD is great.
I did one yesterday and the video is 2 hours long.
It recorded it at DVD quality
Then took Hours and Hours and Hours ( till Midnight to finish the Burn)
So beware it records in MPG format. Then Must convert it to DVD format
It's this convert that takes all the time
recorded at DVD (default ) quality setting 720x480 mpeg-2

Hook up is simple and easy
USB2 between the computer and the box
Then RCA connectors for video and audio

[Manster]

soooooooo . . . wuts the best advice for someone not very high up the genius ladder? what should one expect to pay for a box that will convert vhs to video files? any other recommendations? i have a measly acer 2.0 with 3gb that will burn dvds. thanks in advance . . .

[Budfred]

soooooooo . . . wuts the best advice for someone not very high up the genius ladder? what should one expect to pay for a box that will convert vhs to video files? any other recommendations? i have a measly acer 2.0 with 3gb that will burn dvds. thanks in advance . . .

This is a 4 year old thread and the technology has changed dramatically over the years... Please start your own thread to ask what you want to know...