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Upgrading Computer to Transfer
VHS Tapes
The following is in answer to Elizabeth Wright's Article of February 2005 - The Dreaded Dots
Regarding your recent article which said in part: " My big problem at present is trying to figure out the best way to upgrade my computer so I can transfer the many, many VHS tapes I have to DVDs. Probably by the time I get it done, DVD will be obsolete and I will need to upgrade to some other technology. I don't think it is possible to win this one. Mainly I want to transfer my old family videos to something a little easier to watch and also have copies for other family members." Might I suggest a very simple route, buy a dedicated DVD recorder. Panasonic and others now make DVD set top recorders with tuner/timers just like a VCR. Prices have fallen to the $200-250 range for a basic machine that burns directly to DVD-R or DVD+R. Both formats when finalized will play on most recent DVD-Video players. DVD+R is a bit cheaper, but manufacturers are abandoning that format because of compatibility issues with players. Most of these machines also allow use of DVD-RW or DVD-RAM which permit reuse of discs. More expensive machines include a hard-drive to temporarily store video before burning the disc and permit more advanced editing and titling options. They are now in the $500 range. Depending on the record mode you select you'll be able to record 2-6 hours per disc. Which ever format you chose, try to do a "Wal-Mart Test". That's where you take a burned, finalized DVD and play it in all the DVD-Video machines on display. It's a fast and easy way to test compatibility of the software/hardware you're using. HP makes an external DVD-R drive that features USB, firewire and standard analog I/O. This drive lets you connect your camcorder/VCR directly to DVD burner to convert tapes to disc. I've seen it listed for under $400. Consider the add-ons needed to get video into a Windows PC: Analog I/O device - $150-300 (often a DV or Digital 8 camcorder can serve double duty as an analog to digital converter - that's what I bought for $400, which also gives me a camcorder to use.) Firewire or USB-2 I/O card - $40 (USB 1.1 is too slow for quality video) DVD burning drive - $75 (internal) up to $300 (external) Software beyond lame bundles - $100 (On new Macs you get all the above in the OS bundle except the Analog I/O device included.) You suddenly find a stand-alone recorder is pretty cheap. And it replaces your aging VCR. Last night I found in my mail a flyer from an electronics store that offers a GoVideo combo VCR/DVD recorder for $250! Tuner/timer/vcr/dvd/records everything. And a plain old DVD set top recorder for $160! Perhaps a cheaper option, more accessible to most PC users, is making Video CDs. A Video CD uses normal CD burners and CD-R discs, and $100 software. You'll still need the Analog I/O and firewire/USB cards. Video CD's offer near VHS quality, 74 minutes recording on a standard CD-R and are playable in most current DVD-Video players. Finally, most DVD recorders, and Analog I/O converters block commercial videotapes encoded with a copy protection scheme, so you'll only be able to convert your personal home videos, not movies you've purchased. There are 'black box' devices that will bypass the copy protections, but the legality of the device is often a patent violation, as well as a fair use issue. You MAY have a right to use it. It would be best to direct that question to John Brewer.
Best regards,
Pete Kramer
Pete Kramer Metro Technology Centers Training Coordinator Business & Industry Services
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