VHS to DVD workflow

Capt Quirk

Capt Quirk

Veteran
I tried searching for this, but no luck because the search doesn't work on 3 letter words. Anyways, I'm looking to transfer a VHS to a DVD. I'd really be interested in both how it is done in a professional setting, as well as the low tech methods. My main PC only has firewire in, and my VCR only has S-vid or composite out. My secondary PC has my old DV Storm card... but I can't seem to get it to capture. Ideally, I would love to get one of those SVHS/MiniDV units, but...

So anyways, how are other folk doing this?
 
Depends how much effort I'm paid to put into it!

If I'm paid enough, I use a MiniDV/SVHS deck. You can also use a camcorder that does the analog->DV conversion (lots of even fairly cheap camcorders do this - you hook your VCR up to the camcorder via composite or S-Video, the camcorder spits out DV over firewire). Then I go through all the titleing, editing, encoding, DVD authoring, etc.

If it's a quick, cheap job, I have a DVD-R/VHS deck - these are fairly cheap these days (some even on the order of $100). You can just pop in a DVD and a VHS tape and push one button to make the transfer happen... or you can be a little more complex and name different things recorded to the same DVD and get a rudimentary menu... not the most beautiful result, but quick and easy. The encoding comes out pretty good, even in 4-hour recording mode...
 
Well, this is just a personal effort for my wife. She wants her Nursing Graduation transferred from the old tape to a DVD. I have no idea why exactly, as I have yet to see her want to play it. The DVD/VCR combo is a thought, I had forgotten they made them. Thanks Ullanta!

Now, what about signal degradation? What's the scoop on signal enhancers and boosters? Not that this is something I would worry about doing very often, but it may come up sometime.
 
If you really want to imrove the signal, the best way is to use your camcorder (if you have one) to digitize the outptu of your VHS deck into your NLE thorugh Firewire. Then touch-up, CC, etc in post using your favorate NLE & CC package. It'll give you the best quality in the long run.

- Mikko
 
There are two reasons I don't use my camera to do this. First, I really don't want to put the wear on the heads and eat up a couple of tapes. Second, I don't have any inputs on my camera aside from the 1394. The second reason being the big killer.
 
Dooing a live A/D conversion pass-through doesn't use your cameras or deck's heads. But if your camera doesn't have analog in, then it is in deed a mute point.

- Mikko
 
I've done this many times using the DVX. Hook the VCR to the DVX. Put the DVX in VCR mode. Firewire out from the DVX to the computer. I'm on a Mac and using DV Monitor Pro which allows me to capture the whole tape right to my hard drive. Once I have it on the HD I take it into FCP, do any touch up needed and output it for DVD (.m2v/AC3 files) using Compressor and burn the DVD in DVDSP.
 
Just because I frequent this site, doesn't mean I use a DVX. I have a JVC HD100. If it were an option, I would have used my cam. But thanks for the input Blaine, it might just help somebody else that does use one of the Panny cams or similar models. And isn't that why we're here?
 
I would imagine that the HD100 is perfectly capable of doing your pass through. Connect your VCR to your HD100 through your component connections (maybe you need some BNC adapters) then connect your HD100 by firewire to your PC/Mac. I've used the old JVC DV500 to do this, I'm sure that the HD100 can do it too.
 
Yeah, and after only a year my LCD is dead, forcing me to have second thoughts about this camera. Of course, this comes two months after the warranty has expired.
 
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