[Bruce Aguinaldo]

I go back and forth about re-coverting my VHS tapes especially when I see one section of my video looks like its got a pink filter on it.

I’m bummed because I gave away my two old video camera (I didn’t think I’d ever need them again).

I’m considering buying a Hi-8 and MiniDV camera(s) as the player decks are much too expensive.

I really like the idea of the Canopus but so far the ebay bids are more than I want to spend.

I assume I can run my VHS tapes via the VCR player through an Hi-8 camera, run Hi-8 tapes directly through the Hi-8 camera and run MiniDV tapes also directly through the MiniDV camera.

Total costs to buy two cameras is around $250 plus if I decide to a buy a Canopus they’re around $400 for VHS, and Hi-8’s.

IG

[Bruce Aguinaldo]

Recently, I shared with a friend that I was “converting my VHS tapes to DVD” and she asked if I was interested in converting her tapes for her.

Since I’m retired and could use some extra money I told her I’d check into what equipment I needed and get back to her.

Since I no longer have the Panasonic VHS to DVD machine I’d need to purchase a Canopus for VHS and VHS-C.

What I need to know is what devise(s) do I need to convert Hi-8 and MiniDV to DVD’s?

Is buying used cameras the best way to go or try and buy players?

Thanks.

IG.

[Bruce Aguinaldo]

I think I’ve got a pretty good understanding on the process (at least what “not” to do) and I’m looking forward to getting back into my video editing.

Thanks again for everyone’s help and sorry for all the “newbie” questions.

Bruce
IG.

[Bruce Aguinaldo]

Yes, it helps and thanks.

IG.

[Bruce Aguinaldo]

This certainly clears things up.

In summary, as long as I keep my clips in SV, continue editing my clips in SV and hold off rendering my clips I’m not risking losing any quality.

If that’s the case, then I’m think good to go with my process.

Thanks again for all your help.

IG.

[Bruce Aguinaldo]

I think my understanding of the process is a bit off and its causing some confusion on my part.

SV opens the original VOB file (large file) and I save it as a VEG file (small file).

When I edit the VEG file does the VEG file re-compress or does the original VOB files re-compress? I’m not really clear how the VEG file deals with the original VOB file.

Note: I thought the original VOB didn’t get re-compressed because of the save as action (especially, since some of the VOB’s I’m using are on DVD’s).

Sorry for all the questions but this would be my 2nd go around and I’m trying not to have to do it 3rd time.

IG.

[Bruce Aguinaldo]

Thanks for the info.

I’m still in the stage of opening VOB files and cutting clips.

I’ll start working of restoration as soon as I get this part done.

Thanks again.

IG.

[Bruce Aguinaldo]

===
If you want to add any FX though, then you will need to use Vegas which means recompression of the source file(s).
===

I did play around with FX, saved the results and took a look at the VOB files and the dates of the files did not change.

Are you saying every time I open SV and make corrections the original VOB get compressed again….I’m trying to avoid that from happening.

[Bruce Aguinaldo]

I’ve decided not to re-convert my VHS tapes and just use the original VOB files.

So here’s my “new” process:

Using SV, open the VOB files, “save as”, split the video into clips, edit each clip, when done render each clip creating a new video file and finally burn to DVD.

Comment: looking at the SV file size (very small) I assume SV just uses the original VOB files for information purpposes).

How does this sound?

Thanks again for everyone’s help….the process is much clearer now.

IG

[Bruce Aguinaldo]

I do have a fire wire and I just placed a bid on a Canopus ADV 300.

Wow, are they expensive.

Three questions:

1. can I use SV to capture the video directly from the Canopus?
2. in what format will SV capture the video in?
3. when I capture the video can I burn it directly to DVD (not sure I even need to do this)?

Thanks again.

IG.