Converting Tapes to DVD- Recommendations

[mjm1]

Does anyone have experience with converting VHS and Hi8 video tapes to DVD? We have home movies that we are thinking about converting, since tapes tend to deteriorate over time. I have seen a Sony machine for this purpose, but the ratings are not good. Costco has a service for about $17-18 per DVD, each one holding about 2 hours. I don't know anyone who has used this service, but that cost would add up. Thanks.

 

[Fisch]

Does anyone have experience with converting VHS and Hi8 video tapes to DVD? We have home movies that we are thinking about converting, since tapes tend to deteriorate over time. I have seen a Sony machine for this purpose, but the ratings are not good. Costco has a service for about $17-18 per DVD, each one holding about 2 hours. I don't know anyone who has used this service, but that cost would add up. Thanks.

I haven't used Costco's service, but it is very competitive. I have a video company and most of us are about $30 per 2 hour DVD. Depending on your computer set up, you might be able to do these yourself. Just takes a lot of time. You can purchase software for around $50 that will get you the proper inputs, if you don't already have them.

Let me know if you need any help to try and pick out a software package that can work with what you have.

Al

 

[davhu1]

I have copied tape on a DVD recorder. Copies looks better than original. DVD recorder are much cheaper now. My was >$300 a few years back. Now less <$100. It is much simpler than using computer but less editing functions. I made copy to rewritable dvd, made minor editing on the dvd player and then duplicated the dvd on PC.

 

[Patri]

Last year my kids gave us a machine to convert. They said they would start the task then, but didn't. All I want for Christmas this year is for them to do the conversions.

 

[amycurl]

I have used the Costco service, and found it reasonably priced and very reliable. Definitely cheaper than some other options that we have used in the past.

 

[markbernstein]

I used Costco once, and was unhappy with the result. It was from an old tape, and the picture was as good as I could have expected, but there was a constant buzz on the soundtrack.

Instead I went to iMemories, and things came out much better. They charged $10 per tape to convert to digital format, which you can access on their web site. Then, if you don't want to burn the DVD yourself, they'll do it for you for, I believe, $10 per DVD. They were very prompt in sending the original tapes back to me.

 

[persia]

Just used a DVD recorder, we did it about three years ago. I've since ripped the DVD's to AVIs and keep a copy on my backup drives. I actually just sent the last VHS machine to the tip last week, it was in the family room and just sort of sat there until we discovered it when we replaced the TV it was hooked to.

 

[mjm1]

Thank you for the insights. For those who used a DVR, any recommendations on the particular equipment options- brand, etc. I read a review of one Sony machine and it was not good. We usually have success with Sony products, but that particular one didn't fare well.

We don't have a computer with a DVR, so I don't know if software packages would work for us. However, if anyone has recommendations on software packages, we would appreciate it.

Thanks.

 

[deemarket]

Tape to DVD

Thank you for the insights. For those who used a DVR, any recommendations on the particular equipment options- brand, etc. I read a review of one Sony machine and it was not good. We usually have success with Sony products, but that particular one didn't fare well.

We don't have a computer with a DVR, so I don't know if software packages would work for us. However, if anyone has recommendations on software packages, we would appreciate it.

Thanks.

I haven't used Costco's service, but it is very competitive. I have a video company and most of us are about $30 per 2 hour DVD. Depending on your computer set up, you might be able to do these yourself. Just takes a lot of time. You can purchase software for around $50 that will get you the proper inputs, if you don't already have them.

Let me know if you need any help to try and pick out a software package that can work with what you have.

Al

Al,
This is something I really need to do. I would appreciate a recommendation on software. I have a Dell with Vista Home Prem, Intel Core (TM)2duo CPu, T7250@2.00 Ghz 2.00 GHZ, Ram 3.00 GB, System 32 bit op System.
Thanks,
Dee

 

[davhu1]

Thank you for the insights. For those who used a DVR, any recommendations on the particular equipment options- brand, etc. I read a review of one Sony machine and it was not good. We usually have success with Sony products, but that particular one didn't fare well.

We don't have a computer with a DVR, so I don't know if software packages would work for us. However, if anyone has recommendations on software packages, we would appreciate it.

Thanks.

We have a Sony that is about 3-4 years old and works fine. Some other models have more feature and more user friendly.

Recording is simple. After hooking you the tape player and the DVR. Select the length time on the DVR (2, 4, or 8 hrs), press play on the tape player and record on the DVR. Come back 2 hours later and it is done. dvd+ needs to be finalized to play on another machine but dvd- did not. There was a panasonic model that did not require finalizing.

This may have changed. A few years back, certain dvd players models can only play back dvd+ and some only dvd-, but most of the cheaper players can play anything. I think all dvd players can play both now. People used to recommend dvd- for video and dvd+ for data.

Before the DVR, we have a capture card that take a RCA or firewire input from any video device and convert to digital format. The capture card came with the required software. Easier to edit, but takes time.

To copy old tapes, the DVR is much simpler. Seen them on sale around thasnkgiving for less than $100. At the time I bought mine, it was over $300.
If you want to do edting, add music, etc. Get a video capture card and editing software.

Found this on amazon: Honestech VHS to DVD 5.0 Deluxe that you can use to convert tapes to dvd. There is a sample video there and gives you a idea what it takes to vconvert. You get search for the best hardware/software. http://www.amazon.com/Honestech-VHS-DVD-5-0-Deluxe/dp/B0040FT30O/ref=dp_ob_title_sw

 

[Fisch]

Thank you for the insights. For those who used a DVR, any recommendations on the particular equipment options- brand, etc. I read a review of one Sony machine and it was not good. We usually have success with Sony products, but that particular one didn't fare well.

We don't have a computer with a DVR, so I don't know if software packages would work for us. However, if anyone has recommendations on software packages, we would appreciate it.

Thanks.

You computer doesn't need a DVR. It would just need a DVD drive that can copy discs(almost all computers from past few years will have one). Do you have a dvd drive on your computer?

 

[Fisch]

Al,
This is something I really need to do. I would appreciate a recommendation on software. I have a Dell with Vista Home Prem, Intel Core (TM)2duo CPu, T7250@2.00 Ghz 2.00 GHZ, Ram 3.00 GB, System 32 bit op System.
Thanks,
Dee

Dee,
What type inputs do you have on your computer? USB, Firewire, Composite Video(RCA), etc.
Also how big is your hard drive(s)?
Al

 

[persia]

This is pretty cheap and works:

http://www.compusa.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5238925&Sku=P121-8197

 

[pwrshift]

The easiest route is just to copy your tapes to DVD by one of the methods explained above...especially if they are not treasured home movies. You should know that the DVD copy will not be an improvement over the tape as it can't make the source movie better...so you may not be overly thrilled by the result unless you take another route.

You can copy your tape direct to DVD but bear in mind that this is compressed data. If you want to edit and make movies in the future, you'd be better to copy them as AVI files.

There is software to make your job easier. And example is: http://www.aimersoft.com/product.html

There is excellent editing software from Adobe: Photoshop/Premiere Elements for example. https://store1.adobe.com/cfusion/st...Elements&store=OLS-US&distributionMethod=FULL

I've taken some of my old movies (8 mm) and had them converted to DVD's and to AVI files. There were so many 'bad' camera shots on them that I just had to convert them to movies with music, sound effects, titles, etc. And what a hoot watching them! Making copies to send to relatives is easy and very inexpensive...and they love a look back to the past.

It's a time consuming hobby...that can turn into a profession...and there's a learning curve. I suggest you try making a movie on Microsoft's MOVIE MAKER that comes with your computer operating system...just use photos at first, then apply transitions, music, etc. on the timeline and you're away to the races. Movie files (best format is AVI) come next and you'll be able to better understand the process. But make your first movie no longer than a minute...because it's easier to adapt as you learn from mistakes.

Here's an example of what you can do to preserve the past. I found a bunch of pictures and old 8mm movies, had them converted professionally to digital AVI files, and I put together this little movie about my dog Peggy who passed in 1992. It was such fun to have the family over and watch Peggy and my daughters grow up with her, even through a move to a new home. http://vimeo.com/28129113 You can enlarge to play full screen.

Brian

 

[mjm1]

Thanks again for the ideas. Our computer is only a couple years old, so we do have 2 dvd/cd drives. I will have to look into these various options and figure out which one makes sense for us.