Video Capture X1900XT or what ??

[the_tyke]

I.m a complete newbie on video editing , so please bear with me !

I want to transfer some old VHS videos to to pc so I can burn on to DVD. Will the X1900Xt do the job or can anybody recommend something suitable that is quick and easy to use ??

 

[DaveMac]

The VIVO adaptor should allow s-video and composite connections as inputs, you may need a scart adaptor if your video doesn't have s-video and/or composite outputs.
S-video will give a higher quality picture than composite.

You'll also need to get sound, so you'll also need a cable from your soundcard line in to any audio out connectors on the VCR.

Then you'll need software to capture and process. If you don't have any Windows Movie Maker is worth a try.

 

[the_tyke]

OK thanks ,I 've captured some picture only so far from my Digital Video Recorder using windows movie maker. The only problem is play back is a narrow band on windows media player rather than full screen. If i saved it to disk, would it appear like this when viewed on a TV.

I was thinking possibly of getting that Dazzle DVD recorder which you plug in to your pc as a better alternative.

 

[DaveMac]

Do you mean widescreen format?
Try different combos in the picture settings on both the video and Movie Maker to get the correct format you want.

I haven't tried any Dazzle products, but it will do exactly the same as your graphics/sound card combo though usually the software is a lot more user friendly.

 

[the_tyke]

Ok thanks for your help. I think I've sorted the digital movies. But I can't get a picture from my VHS recorder, I've got a scart adpater with yellow white and red output. The red and white are for sound I think, I've connected the yellow to it's female counterpart which then plugs in to an adapter for the video card, but the signal seems scrambled, is there a setting for analogue signal in windows movie maker ? thanks

 

[DaveMac]

Red and white are for stereo, yellow is composite video.

Check the correct device and source are selected when you start the capture process and that camera settings>video decoder in 'configure' are set to Pal I video standard.

 

[Jakus]

The Best way if You have a descent Digital camcorder is to feed the VHS into the Camcorder and using its A-D converter capture with firewire as full format DV with which You can turn into whatever You want.

I have Used the ATI Capture and it offers some reasonable options

As You are going to the trouble to get the media onto a digital format my advice is capture it at the highest possible quality and keep a copy, codec's and video tools keep inproving and for when we get 1 click video cleanup and enhancement..
If not Just do the best You can so in a couple of Years You don't regret it when You are watching it on Your new 65" LCD Tv