What do I need to turn VHS to VCD?
Sunday, 05 May, 2002
I want to upgrade my system to allow me to transfer VCR home movies to Video CD (VCD). What is the best software/hardware and tech info to get things started at a reasonable price tag.
Gerard Breugem, White Rock, QLD
 Because you're coming off an analog source (VHS tape) the solution isn't straight-froward or cheap.
You need an analog video capture card with composite inputs. Starting price around $500 for a good one. Check out www.pineapplehead.com.au for the Pinnacle range of cards -- especially the Studio Deluxe kit. Software to look for would be Pinnacle Studio, Ulead Video Studio or Sonic Foundry Video Factory. There are others but these are our three favourites. With this combination you can capture, edit, convert and then burn to a Video CD. (CD-R drive required of course).
Philip Moore
 Reader solutions
Greg PoulterPosted: 16/06/2002 VirtualDub I do this all the time with a Flyvideo 98 TV Capture card and VirtualDub. That's all.
Once the video is on the disk I edit and save to VCD.
The quality is comparable to VCR tape. John KnightPosted: 07/05/2002 Use a digital videocam I have a Sony video camera and use a FireWire card (approx $100 with software). I believe (although I haven't tried it yet) that the video recorder can record from the VCR onto 8mm digital tape and then you can just extract from the digital tape in the usual way. I'm certainly going to try this at some stage as I, too, have a lot of old movies on VHS.
(Hi John. If you have the camera and card, you probably don't need to use the "record to tape step". Simply use the camera as a way to take the analog signal and digitise it and feed it into the PC. -Paul Zucker)
Lito PasambaPosted: 06/05/2002 Terapin does it automatically There is a consumer product that converts from VCR or DV tapes onto VCD. Its called the "TERAPIN Video Recorder". All you do is connect the VCR to the Terapin and hit play on the VCR and then record on the Terapin -- its straightforward. NO computer needed. Web price is US$499.00. We are using this equipment in the office now. |