How do I convert VHS video through Videostudio ?

[Paul33]

I have one of those old VHS to PC widgets that take a feed via SCART from a VHS VCR and then connects to your PC via USB.

I would love to be able to capture the feed via Videostudio using the CAPTURE screen but I can never get Videostudio to see or pick up the feed. The old software that came with the widget (Honestech DVD to PC) does see the feed but its a pain to use and offers no video of the recording as you make it which means you are gambling on what will come out !

Does anybody know how to get Videostudio to handle this or, if not, is there any other software out there that will do the job ?

[Davidk]

This sort of conversion is done using the specialised software that comes with the device:
- plug it up: VCR with recorded tape --> converter --> PC usb input
- execute the software that "reads" the digitised input and saves to a file
- play the recorder to the PC, assuming that the recorder is still in a working condition. If it's a 1 hour tape that's how long the read it and convert process will take.
- input the saved digitised file to VS for editing.

The converter devices generally are not recognised by VS because they have some sort of device code that is not recognised except by the supplied software. The unit I bought 12 years ago came with a specially modified video editing program that would recognise the converter device: the standard version of that program would not recognise the device, as apparently VS does with the device you have.
It's been some time since I last did this, even used a VHS recorder, but I don't think those devices will allow you to record on tape and play it back at the same time, and that's what the converters do - digitise an analogue signal when the recorder is playing a pre-recorded tape. The usual process was record the tape from a separate input, usually a TV signal, then play the tape back later.

So if you cannot live with the converter software you have, however difficult to use at least to the point of converting a recorded tape to a saved computer file, then I think you will have to write the VHS recordings off.

Once you have a converted file however, there is no special way to make a pig's ear into a silk purse, as the saying goes: VHS has relatively poor resolution in today's terms (yes, we thought it was marvellous back then, but the world has moved on) and playing a digitised VHS file will look bad: the pig's ear. The minor scratches etc that accumulated on the tape from usage not normally seen on an anlogue TV will be quite clear in the digitised file.

Alternatively, if the tapes are important you could pay a professional video shop to convert the tapes for you, and deliver the result back, on either a DVD or memory stick - whatever they or you are familiar with.

[lata]

Hi Paul
I did a google for the device and it showed it having a video preview it was the honestech VHStoDVD 8.0 Deluxe version

One thing to check using VS is the Capture settings may default to NTSC and you should set Pal

Capture
Options
Video Properties - TV system

[Paul33]

Thanks for your thinking on this. The software SHOULD run with a video preview but it is just blank even though it does record okay. It may be a Windows 10 thing as I used to have a preview video when I used it pre Windows 10.

[lata]

I have an Ezcap USB device that captures analogue to pc
I guess a similar product

You may have to download a new updated driver
If there were capture software bungled with the capture device then i would use that
I recall with my device Video Studio limited the capture settings

Either way both captured to Mpeg2

Is it possible that you can change / set the original software compatibility to use say Windows 7
or did it never show a preview which is unusual

I mentioned Options - video Properties are those set to Pal?

[Paul33]

Long since lost the installation CD sadly and no new drivers available as Honestech have completely ditched the product in favour of VidBox ...... I did ask them.

I think I'll just buy a new setup that is known to be Win10 compatible and which comes with software ..... I have a lot of tapes to convert !!!

[Candive]

Hi Paul33,
I would recommend Virtualdub which is freeware and should work with your dongle. Mine came with PowerDirector 12SE but I prefer Virtualdub or "Vdub." Don't be fooled by its simplistic old looking interface. Its a very powerful system.

http://virtualdub.org/download.html

Here is an excellent tutorial on how to capture your video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sn_TDa9zY1c&t=631s