is my Laptop suitable for vhs to dvds

well it's my first time on this forum so i'd like to say "hello".
now that parts over...

I would like to know if my Toshiba laptop can transfer vhs to dvds and if not what do i need

It's a Toshiba Satellite M300/300 PSMD0A-023008 with Vista Business Service Pack 1.
Here's the link from Toshiba's website with the specs:

http://203.56.127.51//TOPIC/product_details/product/20080801/Sat_M300_PSMD0A-023008.pdf

Apart from myself having Office Home and Student 2007,
it never seeing the "outside world" since i bought it in June 2007
and about 229 GB left after what programs i've installed on it it's basically the same as i bought it from DSE.

I've got a DVD Recorder which records everything else with, but i've got some Macrovision videos i'd like to copy rather than keep the VHS tapes forever.

I thought i'd try the laptop option and bought a Ezycap vhs-to-dvd stick off Ebay some months back. the sound was ok but i couldn't get a picture.
My sister tried it on her XP with similar hassles, so after a load of grief i (or we) basically gave up.

So last week looking at DSE i thought i'd try this:

Kaiserbaas - Video to DVD Maker model: KB401-1B
and used the Cyberlink Power Director Version 6 program.

After the installation and hookup i put a video in, and YES it worked (yeah! etc) which was better than the previous drama (or should i expain)

I tried recording a video and burned it to to a DVD. the picture was ok but i noticed the audio was like "double tracked" in some places.
i also noticed on the VU meters it was much louder compared to the original video.

so i ask the question: is my Notebook suitable for recording or do i need some accesories.

i'm not too techy but if you want to ask me some questions i'd be happy to try.

thanks,

Mark Perry
Hobart, Tasmania.

PS, i hope my typing is ok

 

Have you tried a USB TV tuner that has the RCA inputs? That way you could run the VCR to your notebook and then burn the video to a DVD for storage.

 

well that's how the 'Kasier' works:

i just use RCA leads (red/white/yellow) hook them up to the VCRs RCA outputs, then they go to the 'Kaiser' which has RCA sockets on a lead which goes to the 'Kaisers' box and that plug into to the laptop via USB.

i actually found out when i wanted to record LPs, the Toshiba only had 2 x 3.5mm sockets (the Headphones and a Mic) which after reading around, i solved by purchasing Creative external sound card and that worked.

i wasn't sure if this might be a clue to the sound problem.

also Vista Business doesn't come with a DVD Decoder for Windows Media Player (and i haven't bothered to solve that problem, because) i can play DVDs via the Toshiba DVD Player program which was installed when i bought it.

both problems may be related, with my knowledge i don't know.

maybe all that will help.

thanks,

Mark

 

Yes your system is more than adequate for A/V recording. The Creative card is a good choice since most notebooks do not have a Line In jack.

Some programs just need to be setup correctly, and some are just outright bugged with compatibility issues.

 

Normally every recording device (DVD recorder, USB stick,...) shouldn't be able to record a VHS tape with a macrovision protection and it should pop up a message which informs you that you want to record a copyright protected medium and it should record no image.

However, if you look the macrovision protection up, how it works then you'll see that it's just an interference signal. The Macrovision protection worsens your movie with intent. But we don't want an ugly looking movie, or? That's why we use a normal and legal video decoder which removes such interference signals
A model which is in Germany available is the Elro Video Limiter (translated from german) I don't know what products are available in the US, you have to search for them. Not every device removes every 'interference signal'

There are several ways to digitize VHS material. The easiest way I use is to record it with a DVD recorder and rip the DVD in the computer.
Other option is to use a USB card or Firewire device. Your PC is powerful enough to handle the video stream.

 

Ah, crap. I KNEW I should have opted for a TV tuner on my new laptop, but couldn't figure out what I'd use it for. This would be a good reason...

 

Lol you should be fine with your current specs...