Help Recording older video's

[screwball2]

I regularly compile dvd's from a digital cam. I have purchased a play only video player to convert past video recording to DVD (holidays etc.). I have a WDM TV capture card but cannot get any signal at all after hours of trying. Before wasting many more hours, is there a better method of capturing the video signal other than a tv capture card?

[Ron P.]

I use my digital camcorder (Sony DCR-TRV120) to transfer my VHS, VHS-C, and BetaMax. It has pass-through capabilities. With this Pass-through, my camcorder does the conversion from analog to digital. I then get the data (video) into my PC via firewire.

So you stated you have a digital cam. If it is a Digital-8 or Mini-DV, I'd wager that it has Pass-through..

[sjj1805]

Regarding the problems with your TV capture card you haven't mentioned which one it is.

I use Hauppauge TV cards and currently I am on my fourth one.
The modern TV cards are quite simple to connect to a PC, using my 2 current Hauppauge cards as an example - they can connect in one of two ways.

a. co-axial cable just like an aerial.
b. SCART to RCA. The VHS Player has a SCART output and the TV card has RCA inputs, you get a SCART lead plus a SCART to RCA adapter. This method provides the best possible picture quality.
Earlier Hauppauge cards did not connect quite so easily - they had a separate lead for the sound that plugs into the line in jack of your sound card.

Capturing.
The newer cards simply turn the PC into a "Video Recorder" where you have controls to fast forward, rewind, play and record. These are a breeze to use.
The older TV cards were quite difficult and often required some scouring of the internet to find third party programs capable of recording from them.

Modern TV cards will come with some recording software, normally these are specifically tweaked to be used with that TV card and produce the best results.

[screwball2]

My camera is a Sony dcr-hc19e pal. I have inputs/outputs for usb - dv out (firewire) - av out and a blue round hole with what appears to be a clock symbol and the letters LANC. If I have the facility you describe how would I connect to the digiCam from a scart on the video to the cam?
Thanks in advance for your help.
Kevin

[screwball2]

Sorry, answer was directed at Vidoman didn't expect response so fast- am about to read the second response from Steve.

[screwball2]

Steve, my tv card is, as you describe, an older one with seperate audio. Perhaps it doesn't even work properly? I am using it purely on a suck-it-and- see basis. I love the idea from vidoman - So simple. But if I do not have the suggested ability, I will buy a new TV card.

[screwball2]

Just found my manual for the camera and the latest one has the facility, the model I have doesn't. So gutted -nothings easy is it. I can't afford a new camera, so it will have to be a card. But as I understand with a loss of quality.