Help me understand how to do it w/PC

I have a slew of goodies in my Inspiron 8600 but manual I downloaded in .pdf no problem, didn't give me squat of information how to get the old VHS tapes signal in for the 8X DVD+R to record them to DVD? I have the usual plus a IEEE1394 and PC card slot I am not familiar with either of these 2, the rest are S-Video and mini din 15 pin for output to TV. The DVD came with Sonic version 7 so it's paid for this is a refurbished trade for a Inspiron 8500 that went bad. Memory in SDRAM is 512MB single dimm, 80GB hard drive, 64MB nvidia Gforce4 @ 5400RPM. How do I get the VHS tape and audio in for me to use the upgrade 8 X DVD+R/RW. TIA for all your suggestions or real help in educating me.

I have my own discs including 2005 Internet Security

/Chaz

 

Hi chazzy,
I don't think you can do that very easily.
For your notebook to put video from a VCR tape onto DVD your notebook has to have a way to get the video singal into the notebook (video input port) and have software to do the video capture, convert to mpeg and format it into something that a DVD player will recognize and then write it to DVD. The 15pin connector is an output for an external monitor, the same goes for the s-video as it's an output to a hi-rez television; so to do it you will need a VCR with a 1394 port that can connect with your notebook or if the VCR tape you want to copy is a miniDV tape from a digital camcorder you can use the camcorder as a VCR to play the tape and use it's 1394 port to get it into the notebook if the camcorder has a 1394 port.

hope this helps
Jack

"They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security" (Ben Franklin)
http://pbase.com/joneill

 

Boot I have been told on another notebook forum that's easily done, using your 2.0 USB, with their device you can input the VHS or S-VHS through the device into USB, to your waiting DVD+R/RW drive. I have investagated this and the least expensive on the outpost.com is $79 or pay $99 for the update and get back $20 on a rebate. I like researching and do my homework well, this leads to good conclusions and a happy camper.[ ]

/Chaz

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by chazzy

 

Boottogo what I want to record is the VHS 'Bancek' series from the mystery movies, I have every one broadcast and 'commercial' free on Scotch Blue Hi-HI Grade tapes recorded in Standard Play. Before the dumb congress passed DigMillCopyrAct took away what Sony decision stood for, the right to record for home video use in 1983.

He always amazed me how he could put his brain to work and collect up to a $500,000 commission as a 10% finders fee professional. The only one to call him by his first name Thomas was the book dealer who did his research for him. IMHO it was one of the greatest written for SDTV sleuths as a finder, not a bounty hunter starring the late George Pepard.

My favorite episode is '$500,000 a page' guest Stella Stevens and Ted Cassidy(Lurch on The Addams Family SDTV series).[ ]

/Chaz

 

Chazzy, I suggest you take a look at http://www.cdrlabs.com. They are an *EXCELLENT* resource for information pertaining to recording video on DVD drives.

Basically you're going to need several things, and mind you, I have yet to fully transfer a VHS casseste to DVD either. Still working on my wedding video... Anyway, assuming that your VCR has standard RCA inputs, you're going to need a USB or PC-CARD device that can accept the video signal. Next, you're going to need software to that will be able to record the video (and sound) signal and save it to your hard drive. Whatever video capture device you use should have some type of basic software inlcuded. You'll need to follow the softwares instructions to capture the video, which should be pretty straight forward.

Things can get hairy when dealing with the audio. Some software packages will only capture video and you may need to capture audioo in a seperate file. If that is the case, then you also need software to sync the video with the audio. You'll then need software to convert and/or combine the file(s) into MPEG2 so it can be recorded to DVD. The Finally, you'll need software to burn the DVD.

That is the process at an extremely HIGH level. As you can see, there are alot of different software interactions. At the same time, there are alot of choices as to what software you use. This is why having the manual for your laptop will not help you.

If you're willing to make a considerable investment ($500 and up range), there are standalone devices that will transfer your WHS cassettes directly to DVD without using a computer. They are quite expensive and I haven't seen any reports (positive or negative) on them. Definately check out CDRLabs...I think you'll find it EXTREMELY helpful.

 

Big Calhoun I didn't know you could talk about this subject but i am considering buying the 2 well region free that international Electroncis has www.220-electronics.com They are $100 off this month, you can record disc to disc since they have a anti-copy buster for Macrovision and CSS (content Scramble System) device or VHS to disc for only $598, this one can be seen on the right side after you click on new DVD recorders on the left side bar. The recorder records in the same DVD+R/RW as my Dell recorder. Big Calhoun not to brag but I bought and paid off a 2005 Subaru Legacy, 4 dr sedan (back seat holds wheelchair) so money is not a object. I at this point of my life am not saving bucks for a rainy day. Thanks very much for your input on this subject which I thought was forbidden to talk about, even though we're just talking about backing up or transferring VHS to DVD. [ ]

/Chaz

 

Technically, you can make copies of movies you already own for personal use. There is also nothing preventing you from transferring a home video to DVD.

The topic that will get you in trouble is specific talk about defeating encryption and/or making illegal copies.

 

We all dubbed our tapes back when the VCR was king, what's the difference in DVD it's for our home use only. I print my own labels from downloaded covers or make them myself, I don't make DVD labels with dice or chickens sent in the mail to me. Calhoun Hollywood is not interested in Banacek or a lot of movies they have forgotten their names and film content, and I am too used to DVD and its 480P

I will not mention defeating cryptology again but I will still be using it on all of my home for my home copies, I don't have the room to stack all the retails for they would go throught the friggin roof.

/Chaz