How do I get VHS to DVD?

[golfmore]

I have a P4 3.4, 1 gig, Radeon 8500 retail, and a BenQ DVD on my machine. I do have a VCR. Where do I start? Thanks.

[photolady]

You need a capture card or an ATI All-in-Wonder card.

I have a Hauppauge WinTV PVR 150 capture card. Mine is internal. But you can buy them to use with USB. It all depends on how much you want to spend. Stay away from AverMedia cards/external ones of this brand also. They are not good quality.

Some thing like the Pinnacle systems, I hear works well for what you want to do.

http://www.pinnaclesys.com/PublicSite/us/Home/

[golfmore]

Will this card record VHS to disk, then record to DVD's? I read that it will record to disk as MPEG. The what do I do to get it to a DVD format? I looked at Newegg and they have several models of this card. Some have FM radio and some not. The ones that don't have it are higher n price. I don't know what thos numbers at the front end of the model mean. I assume that PVR is what I need.

Note: I went to the manu site and read about the card. Seems like it will do what I want Thanks.

[photolady]

You first capture the movie to your harddrive, from the vcr using the software that comes with the card, then burn with a dvd burning software to dvd disk. You might have to convert the files first before burning. A website I use for help with most all video editing, burning or capturing is called simply videohelp, linked to below:

www.videohelp.com

[golfmore]

Thanks for the help. I may get that card this weekend.

[jcampi]

I also considered this route, but ended up just buying a DVD Recorder for my family room. If you need a new DVD player or recorder for your home anyway you can connect the VHS VCR to the inputs of the DVD recorder and transfer all of your old tapes.

[golfmore]

That sounds like a simple and effective way to do it also. I don't really need TV in my computer. What brand did you get? What, sorta, do they cost? Thanks again.

[jcampi]

I bought a Sony (they are king when it comes to video) DVD Recorder. The unit records on about any format and sold for about $250 about a year and a half ago. I would guess the recorder costs less by now and could be priced below $200 if you shop well. I love it.

[photolady]

Just for what it's worth. Using those capture cards, you don't necessarily have to have TV input to the computer. Mine isn't.

As for the recorder John is talking about, I have a question. Will they allow you to edit those vhs?

[jcampi]

You can edit with the DVD recorder by pausing to cut unwanted scenes from the VHS tape, but it won't be as clean or accurate as using a capture card. However, for a little more than the price of the card you will have a new DVD player/recorder. You'll be able to record your favorite shows on DVD and view them. I'm from the club that doesn't want to view tv on my computer monitor. I'd rather view it on my 50" HDTV.

[photolady]

As I said before, I don't use my capture card for tv only for capturing vhs. And my tv isn't much bigger than my monitor (17"), it's only a 27". :D