Please help, new to this. What do I need to capture analog

[mco]

Hi, I've used movie factory and created DVD's of pictures. Now, I am trying to make a DVD from a VHS tape using a VCR. Other than an S video cable what do I need and how does it work. I did a search and read about an analog card- what is that and is it something I install on my computer. I plugged the S video cable to my computer and nothing happened but I can figure out what I need to buy to make this work. I am so new at this any help would be appreciated.

[Ron P.]

Hi MCO,

Ok, in order to get some useful help, you need to help us first.

1. Go to your Profile and fill in the System information.
2. What version of Movie Factory are you using?
3. To capture from a VCR, you will need some sort of capture device, either a box like a Canopus, or a Video card in your computer that has capture capabilites.

I would also suggest reading through some posts, on this forum and the Video Studio forum. Read some of the signatures and click on the System button located by the Email button. This information is crucial in troubleshooting video problems.

If you are unsure on what a video capture card is, you should do some research. Try "googling" (searching) using "video capture card". If you can plug an S-video cable into your PC, or composite cable then you have a video capture card. Some capture devices have composite and S-video input, and output to the PC via USB or better yet a firewire (IEEE1394) card.

Video capture, editing and subsequent creation of DVD's is not as simple as advertisments make them out to be. One must do some learning.

Hope that will get you started. Please post back with more information. We would be glad to help you along...

Regards

Ron

[mco]

Hi, thank you so much for the information. I updated my profile. I am using Movie Factory 4. I also have the firewire (IEEE1394) card. I attached the S-Video cable from the VCR to the Laptop. I am assuming that I also need to attach the VCR to the firewire port?

[keithm]

Sorry you're wrong on all accounts! The firewire is a digital transfer socket (like USB) and the Svhs socket is probably just a video out from the laptop (rarely do they have svhs in).

To use a laptop to capture from VHS you'll need an external USB or Firewire capture device. You'll plug the VHS in the external capture device and that will digitise the analog signal so it can be captured over the USB or Firewire port.

If you only has USB 1.0 (not USB 2.0) you need to try to get a firewire capture device, USB 1 struggles with transfering full screen video. If the laptop has USB 2.0 there is a large range of devices available.

[mco]

Thank you for your post- this is more complicated than I thought. Manufactures make it sound like you just plug it in and you are all set. I have 6 usb ports on my laptop and a whole bunch of other outlets. By what you are saying I need to buy more things- an external USB or firewire capture device. Not worth all the effort and additional cost. I'll just take it to CVS and have them put it on DVD for me. Thanks again. I'm glad I posted the questions before I drove myself crazy trying to figure it all out.

[keithm]

Just be sure, what is the model of the laptop?

[mco]

It's a Dell Inspiron 9300.

[jcc]

What outputs are available on the VCR?

If you have, or were to buy, a DV camcorder with Firewire output, a good option would be to record from the VHS VCR to DV Camcorder. It is then straight forward to capture from Camcorder to DMF4.

[keithm]

If I DV camcorder has inputs (a lot of uk ones don't) you usually don't have to record. The camcorder will act as a capture device and convert the video on the fly to firewire. Its a good alternative to a seperate capture box

[ora]

I used a Dazzle Digital Video Creator. I got the 90 on ebay.
Works ok as long as you know the length or can set and watch to stop.
Later
Ora

[hbeams]

Hi. I have done almost all my Video Tapes onto DVD, using my Desk Top. I had to get a Video Capture Device to attach to the VCR's RCA Jacks in the back. The Output Jacks for the Left Audio, Right Audio and Video.

I am using a DVD Express, which is hooked to my computer's USB Port, and this came with Ulead Movie Factory 3.

[Manzano808]

Hi. I have done almost all my Video Tapes onto DVD, using my Desk Top. I had to get a Video Capture Device to attach to the VCR's RCA Jacks in the back.

Howdy! Could you reveal what capture settings you are using? I have seen where some guides say to use 640x480 which is supposed to be "true 4:3" but I don't see that as a choice with VideoStudio 9. What settings do you use to put a 2 hour movie onto a single layer (4.xGB) DVD, and still have halfway decent picture?

Thanks!