Using a DVR to capture VHS tapes to DVD

[jtrinkle]

I am considering buying a DVR with VHS to convert the tapes. It seems like it would be simple to record the VHS onto a DVD and then edit the DVD with VideoStudio. Is this a good way to convert the VHS tapes to DVD's ? It seems like it would be easier than using the DV method with a digital camcorder.

[DVDDoug]

Noooo! Don't do it, man! (Some users here are doing just that. So it's possible, but there are lots of potential problems.)

DVDs are MPEG-2 encoded. MPEGs are not meant to be edited.

If you don't already have a DV camera, you should get a video capture card (or device) that can capture to AVI/DV. (I made the mistake of buying an MPEG-only capture card.)

In theory, you can cut & splice MPEGs without problems.* Any other editing results in quality loss. MPEG is lossy compression. You loose some quality every time you encode. If you do any "real editing" (color adjustment, crossfade transitions, title overlays, etc.), the MPEG has to be decoded and re-coded. this requires a 2nd lossy encode step.

If you are planning to copy commercial VHS tapes, you need a device to disable the (analog) Macrovision copy-protection. In the U.S., it is legal to do this for personal use. (However, it's illegal to "crack" the digital CSS copy protection used on DVDs.)


*In practice, I had to but a special-purpose MPEG editor. When I edited MPEGs with Ulead, I got "lip-sync" errors, and some other weird problems.

[sjj1805]

I agree with what Doug has said, in fact we both use the same third party MPEG Editor.
Should you end up buying an MPEG only capture device then I have created a guide using DVD MovieFactory as the example software, though the procedure in VideoStudio is similar.
http://phpbb.ulead.com.tw/EN/viewtopic.php?t=11379

[jtrinkle]

I will pass on the DVR and use my DV camera as suggested.

[Mike-Mat]

Well this is interesting. I doing exactly what jtrinkle suggests. I'm recording to a DVR , copy to DVD and bring it into VS10 to edit. So I'm loosing something huh?

My problem is I have to capture a DOS screen from my PC. I'm using the S-Video out to the DVR to capture the video. The burn to DVD to transfer it back to the PC for editing.

The DVR is MPG2 the DVD is MPG2. Shoud I be converting to something else when I bring it into the PC?

Mike

[Mike-Mat]

Digging back into the manual for the DVR, I have a HDMI Output. This apparently goes into the TV. Is there a way to capture this into the PC ?

The manual states....
"HDMI transfers Digital audio & Uncompressed video on a single cable" That seems to be what I want to start editing with. Raw uncompressed video.

How do I get that into the PC?

Mike

[maddrummer3301]

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[Mike-Mat]

Hi MD,

I just found some DVR settings that should raise the quality of my video. I just wish the DVR had an RJ45 10/100 jack on it, so I could just plug it into the network and copy files direct to the PC. They put all these Input & Outputs on the DRV and it seems that never have the function I need.

Example: It has a 1394 jack. It's input only. So you can plug in your camera, import video and then edit/burn on the DVR. Great... But I have VS10 on my PC and I want to get the data Out of the DRV and put it on my PC to edit. It seems the only output method is to burn a DVD.

1000's of different of jacks, ports, connectors and formats. I have a 20" x 12" x 10" tool box with all these different cables and gender changers.... and never the one I really need

Mike

[maddrummer3301]

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