Next project - transferring video from VHS to DVD

Parent Cafe
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<p>I ended up using Costco sunnydayfun. Was pretty happy with their services.</p>

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<p>If you have the necessary equipment, it’s quite easy. I used two VCRs, an old TV that is analog, a videocamera that has “pass-through” capability, and my laptop. TV is hooked to VCR #1 which is hooked to VCR #2 hooked to camera hooked to laptop. I probably really don’t need the TV. 2 VCRs needed because the VHS tapes I’m copying have protection against copying. It takes the actual amount of play time to record, and then time to convert the video recording to a movie on my laptop and then to burn to a DVD. I’ve started this project several times, but have only gotten about 1/3 to 1/2 through my dance videotapes. Will then start on the personal ones, of which there are only 3-4.</p>

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<p>I had this product in my “saved” cart on Amazon for awhile. I have 8mm tapes that have a VHS converter. We still have a DVD/VHS combo in one room so technically I can still watch them, but not for long.
I was also looking for the easiest and hopefully not too expensive way of putting them on DVD. Some are so precious to me, I’m afraid of sending them anywhere
<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0040FT30O/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_4?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER[/url]”>http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0040FT30O/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_4?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>The Costco current coupon expires this weekend I believe.</p>

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<p>I started this project several years ago, and have a long way to go to complete it. </p>

<p>I researched it and this is the way I do it. I play the old VHS and VHS-C tapes in a regular old VCR. The signal runs to a DV converter which changes the signal from analog to digital. Your computer requires the digital input. My converter is a ADVC-300. It works well, but upon checking the web, I found similar products for much less money. I’d check the reviews on the less expensive alternatives.</p>

<p>I run the signal into either a MacBook or Imac. I used the iMovie program for editing. iMovie is reasonably easy once you get the hang of it. Younger people seem to either be able to figure out programs without documentation or use online help to learn programs, but books work best for me. I bought “Cool Mac Apps” by Williams. It was very helpful.</p>

<p>I saved the movies to DVDs which I distributed to my children. I also uploaded several of the movies to my own Youtube channel. This is handy, because I could then email links to the youtube videos to Grandma etc. Once could also link to these youtube videos on facebook. </p>

<p>I think the important thing to consider is to make sure your movies are archived in a safe way. I suggest doing a web search to find the best way for you.</p>

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<p>Dazzle should work fine, especially for the transfer to DVD. At school, my D learned (somewhat) to use FinalCut. Big learning curve, but you can really get the results you want that way. Once the video is archived to DVD, you should be able to alter that video using FinalCut or something else. Make sure that the DVD files she produces are readable by computer so you have this option in the future. Sometimes that DVD formatting is tricky.</p>

<p>By the way, my Dad’s wife is transferring using some thing she bought, not Dazzle but similar, and it seems to be going well. She is not too picky, though. One does need to do this before one gets rid of the last VCR in the house…</p>