Converting VHS-C tapes to DVD
 

Anybody do this on a home computer?

I'm getting a new home PC within the next month or so and want to be able to convert a huge pile of home videos to a better and more advanced storage medium.

Doable with a home PC? Any special wiring or software I need to purchase?

TIA

Adam

Does a firewire cord plug into the USB port?

I don't want anything too fancy for now but if my computer comes with a DVD burner will the software be good enough for me to piece it together that way, or should I invest in an Adobe video editing program?

OH man now I'm confused. So probably my 5 year old VHSC camcorder is not going to be any good....nor likely will my Panasonic VCR that virutally never gets used....hmmmm, I did buy a combo VCR/DVD for the kids' TV since they still have some barney videos only about a year ago, a Go Video machine, think it has firewire capability?

The graphics card with TV in, would be an option I could pick up through Dell? Cost?

Adam, I just bought a new DELL for the house with XP Media. It has the TV tuner card and adapters for analog video input. Just got it out of the box so havent had a chance to play with it yet. Has the DVD burner so I can record TV shows like a TIVO box. Just make sure your DVD player for your regular TV will play DVD+R format! Most play DVD-R only. I picked up a combo unit from Sony at Best Buy for the kids that does both formats along with CD-R, CD+R, MP3, MP4, jpeg and some others. Came with some pretty basic editing software that allows voice and music and fading in and out along with text.

Firewire is faster than USB 1 but not USB 2...which is what would come with your new PC. I could swear I saw a Firewire to USB adapter. I'll post a link to it when I figure out where I saw it.

Next, I recently purchased a Memorex 8X DVD burner with all the editing/authoring software included.... <$200 w/ rebate.

Does your VHC camcorder come with Firewire?

Someone makes an analogue to digital converter that has input jacks for about anything around the house including old turntables. I saw it at the Mac store. Media Blaster? I don't remember, but it looks like the hot set up once you have the memory to do video. I'm gonna work on that. I just got a used Dell from a relative for nothing. I'm gonna stuff that baby with all the memory I can get in it. It must have a Pentium III in it. The thing I'm typing on now has a Celeron made in the dark ages.

If you don't go the "preowned" route for memory you may want to consider Crucial.com. They have great prices.

Milt, that adapter is what came in my DELL package. Havent tried it yet but will soon.

Cool, thanks for the great advice,

Dan which Dell did you get. My company gets me a decent discount so thinking about getting a bit more of a machine....

We were limited for space so we went with the 4600C with flat panel. Its great so far, its just learning how to use it for everything we want to do is going to take some time. To many other things going that are keeping me from sitting in front of it for a couple of hours and going to work with it.

Exactly what I'm considering. Between that and probably the Dell equivalent of the IPOD I'll have a hard time going to work, I'm just going to want to play!

Thanks again

Adam

Adam,
Have spent some time playing with the computer and the DVD burner. The few shows that I have recorded and put to DVD turned out great. The only problem is the length of time to burn the DVD. That takes as long as the show you recorded and then some. Also with the 4600C you can only get one drive. So if you have the space for the full tower I would go that route as the extra drive (s) would be nice (CD). That said the 4600C is fantastic for our application and space area.

Check out www.Slickdeals.net for great deals on Dell computers (via rebates) and alot of other computer stuff.....Hard drives, memory, storage media etc etc

If space is a consideration you may want to consider getting a USB 2 compliant external case for your DVD. Puts the burner right on your desktop. I bought one for <$30 off a vendor on ebay. Comes with it's own power supply and fan.

Do a search for "ADS instant DVD".

Adam,

Since its probably time for a new camcorder, just buy a Mini DV with analog inputs. Hook your VHS-C up to it, then firewire into your computer.

And get a iMac with a super-drive. iMovie and iDVD are amazing programs and will have you producing your own DVDs in no time! Stop by an Apple Store in a mall near you to see it all in action. Amazing stuff.

(shameless plug from a mac guy)