Converting VHSc (compact) Home Videos onto DVD's?

Bubbleman

Hey everyone, so my whole child hood is on these VHSc (compact) tapes that you put in a thing that goes into a VCR and then you can play them. My question is how do I go through this whole process of converting these home videos to DVD?

I heard I need a video tuner, or something like that. I'm not sure but if you can help me or know how or what I am talking about... help

Also I didn't know what area to put this topic in. So I chose hardware.

mertesn

What you need is either a video card with VIVO (Video-In, Video-Out) or a dedicated capture board (i.e. ATI TV Wonder). I've used ATI capture cards for years now and they're great for doing transfers.

You'll also need DVD authoring/burning software - Nero works quite well for both tasks.

Bubbleman

Ok so then I just get a vcr and use video in and out cables on the card then right?

mertesn

Pretty much. If you are using the VIVO solution you'll need to connect the video out on your VCR to the video card and the audio out to the input jack on your sound card.

Bubbleman

Any suggestions for a VIVO card? Maybe 50-100 dollar range.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815116628

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815116609

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815116609


UHH I dont think those are vivo but somewhat what your talking about right?

mertesn

VIVO is usually a term that implies your standard video card (i.e. GeForce 6600) has video input as a feature. The products you linked to fall into the video capture board category. They will do nicely.

For the price range you are looking for, try these:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=Property&Subcategory=47&Description=&Type=&N=2010380047&srchInDesc=&MinPrice=0&MaxPrice=100&OEMMark=0
If you sort by rating you should find a device that will meet your needs.

AFAIK, Huappauge makes good tuners.

CB

Colleges that have video production and editing facilities (which most do) might also have labs with all the equipment you would need, and they might let you either use the equipment yourself, or get a student to do it for you. Something to look into if you don't feel like buying a whole bunch of equipment for what might be a one-time need.

Bubbleman

What sort of cables do I need and a VCR that supports S-video on it?

mertesn

Usually either S-Video or video RCA and left/right audio RCA. You might even be able to use regular coax. If you have a VHSc video camera you can even use the camera as the video source - no VCR needed.

Bubbleman

Sounds pretty good, I am interested in how to make a dvd menu tho, I really would like to make this look nice

I really am not sure how to go about making a scene selection, dvd menu, add some audio.


And how does it get imbedded onto the dvd-r disc.

mertesn

Nero is the only program I've used to make a video DVD. It has all the tools needed to create menus and chapters. There's a nice wizard to step you through everything. Once you're done creating menus and chapters there is a spot to simulate navigating your menu system to test before burning.

Not sure if there are any open source or freeware apps out there to do it.

The menus, chapter settings, and videos clips are all built into a DVD's file structure. For more detail check this out: http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/dvd4.htm

[edit] That article didn't say quite what I thought it would. This one is better: http://stream.uen.org/medsol/dvd/pages/dvd_format_filestructure.html

Bubbleman

Ok thanks

Bubbleman

Do you need a tuner???

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ShowImage.aspx?CurImage=14-143-046-10.jpg&Image=14-143-046-10.jpg%2c14-143-046-02.jpg%2c14-143-046-04.jpg%2c14-143-046-05.jpg%2c14-143-046-06.jpg%2c14-143-046-07.jpg%2c14-143-046-08.jpg&S7ImageFlag=0&WaterMark=1&Item=N82E16814143046&Depa=0&Description=BFG+Tech+GeForce+7800GS+BFGR78256GSOC+Video+Card

Has a S-video port, its my current video card. Why would that S-video port be there?

mertesn

It's most likely an S-Video output for display through a TV. Not saying it's the case for every card though - you have to check the specs on your exact model.

To answer your first question, no, you don't need a tuner - just a device that can receive a video signal. It's just most cards that can receive a video signal also contain tuners, ss you can see at this link: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010380048+1069409634&Configurator=&Subcategory=48&description=&Ntk=&srchInDesc=
For numbers, at the time I copied the link there were 9 video cards with VIVO, and 544 without. All 9 VIVO cards were either out of the price range you were looking for or a big step backwards graphically speaking.

Bubbleman

Do I have to take out my graphics card when I put in a video tuner? Or can I have both them in.

mertesn

If you use a card with a PCI connector, no. If it's an AGP video card then yes.