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VHS to computer
Hello,
I have several VHS tapes that I need to digitize and then edit. I would like to do this losing as little quality as possible and without spending too much more money.
I already have Sony Vegas, a standard VHS player and a standard laptop computer.
I have tried a couple of off the shelf products that convert a signal via RCA-USB to the laptop, but they only allow for a direct burn to DVD. I need a file that I can edit. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
James -
9 Replies
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You need something like ADS Pyro or Canopus to go out from the VCR and in to your PC via firewire. I have the ADS Pyro and it works great for me.
j razz
https://www.jrazzcreations.com
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Here is a discussion concerning both products I mentioned above. A guy asks which is better.
j razz
https://www.jrazzcreations.com
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Burton, another alternative is to record your VHS tapes to a set-top DVR disc (use DVD R/W if you want). Finalized discs are .VOB files. Vegas recognizes VOB’s. You’re good to go!
Good luck
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If you have (or have access to ) a miniDV camcorder that has a feature called “pass through”, you can use this to get your VHs footage into your computer.
VHS output > camcorder analog input > camcorder firewire output > computer input. -
Thanks everybody for the advice.
Bruce, you say that Vegas recognizes .VOB files. I have Sony Vegas 8.0 (I forgot to mention that), I also forgot to mention that I purchased a Dazzle that was saving those files onto my computer as .VOB files. I have tried to open those files with Vegas but Vegas doesn’t seem to see them. I have also tried to set up capture. It sees the Dazzle but then when I say that I’d like to capture video with it there is a pop up that says it could not be opened please make sure that it is turned on and is not being used by another program. I can’t seem to get it passed that point. -
Make sure you DON’T have any DV control options checked/engaged in the Vegas Video Capture program. As you are dealing with a stream of converted AV, with no DV control markers options within that stream, VidCap could/would be thinking that it should be doing, well, some type of controlling, when fundamentally, it can’t.
This used to catch me out many years ago with VidCap and could ALSO be the reason why you are getting that same message as I remember when I did this through the DAZZLE ( ugh . . !)
Grazie
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Grazie,
Thanks for the help. Firstly I have figured out that if you drag and drop the .VOB file into the project field instead of trying to open it through file that it opens just fine. My question is, will I be able to get a better picture quality if I capture directly? I can tell that some quality is lost, but it doesn’t seem to be too terrible.
Regarding turning off the DV settings. I have found 3 places to change this. When I first open a new project then from within capture under preferences. Do you know of anymore? I have changed all that I have been able to find and it still gives me the same error. Like I said, at least I am in a place where I can edit. If this is the best I can do, it’s not the end of the world.
Thanks again for everything everybody! -
> If this is the best I can do, it’s not the end of the world.
Actually, it’s far from the best that you can do.
Jeremy and Mike told you what to buy. Get a Canopus ADVC-110 or ADS Tech A/V Link or a DV camera with passthru. Those will capture to DV AVI files that are 25Mbps datarate files that are only compressed 5:1. The Dazzle is capturing MPEG2 at 6-9Mbps datarate and 25:1 compression. That’s 5x more compression and 4x less data using the Dazzle!
IHMO, if these VHS tapes are worth something to you, then return the Dazzle and get a Canopus or A/V Link. This is especially important if you want to edit the video and then render it again to DVD because each render looses quality. So if these files are already marginal, they will look even worse when rendered again for DVD.
VOB files are a deliver format meant for watching. You never want to edit them unless the circumstances are such that you don’t have access to the source anymore. You need something that captures in an editing format like DV. Like I said, follow Jeremy’s or Mike’s advice and capture as DV AVI files. You will get much better quality that way.
~jr
http://www.johnrofrano.com
http://www.vasst.com -
Another vote for the Canopus ADVC-100 (it is a 110 now – earlier models were -100). Work very well and give good, clean DV format avi files. Pass through on a camcorder if you have a friend that has one you could borrow also works well.
mikey
You can’t have too much disk space or too many gadgets !!
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