`Serif``

[shylock73]

I have just purchased Icd-VHS to DVD without Capture Device, and am stuck to know what to do next. Do I have to get said `Capture Device` from a store like PC World. I have not heard of a device like this before. Can anyone throw me some good advise as I`ve hours and hours of VHS tapes I want to put on DVD? TIA.

[LeMarchand]

Yes, you will need a capture card/device. If you are really lucky and your computer is new you may already have one. Otherwise, see if you can get a refund from Serif (they normally offer one) as virtually any new device you buy will come with some sort of software.

My personal recommendation would be to buy a DVD recorder (possibly with a VCR included) and do it that way. If you are planning on being naughty and converting copyright materials you may have to jump through a few more hoops and buy extra equipment.

I feed my VHS to a rewritable disk on my DVD recorder, then put the disk in my computer and use VideoReDo TV Suite to edit it before burning it to a standard DVD. (I used to use the free Mpg2Cut2, but it doesn't seem to work properly with my Vista setup). But I only do that because I'm a bit fussy about what goes on the discs. If I just wanted a "quick copy" I could skip the PC part of the equation.

[shylock73]

Bonjour monsieur LeMarchland, "Comment allez vous"? Nah then, nah then, just kiddin!! Many thanks "et merci beaucoup", ( Stop it `Shy`) I bet you`re not even french either. Anyway, back to thanks for your time in answering so expertly my querie. Serif only sent me a DVD to download as I said and I can`t find their address to return it. I do have a Panasonic NV-VHD1 DVD/CD Player Video Cassette Recorder Nicam. Would this be possible to do it with? I`m not too smart with these gadgets so please be gentle with me. And don`t answer in French `cus` I was only kidding with my schoolboy french of 58 years ago.

[LeMarchand]

Googled your machine - it looks as if it only plays DVD, but does not record onto them. Serif's address details can be found here: http://www.serif.com/contactus.asp . I'm pretty sure that they offer money back guarantees (or at least that's what they tell me when they try to flog me their stuff).

What are the specs/make/model of your computer? If you can't afford a DVD recorder (eBuyer have one at �50, your local supermarket may beat that) then you can pick up video capture cards/devices on eBay but (in my experience) you will need a fast machine with lots of RAM.

[ChuckFickens]

just to jump in, from another post it seems shylock is having problems with his DVD drive, so may be a good time to get a DVD burner fitted, they are nice and cheap these days

mine cost me �25

[shylock73]

Cheers you guys, what do you do with a DVD burner? I don`t know the model LeMarch only it cost �499 from PC World 3 years ago so it`s not high class. I`ll try your link to see if I can return and get a refund for it.

[shylock73]

Re; my previous, Do you mean like a programme installed to record music from `Limewire` or `Record Now`? If so, I do a lot of that,

[LeMarchand]

It's unlikely that �500 from PCW 3 years ago would have included any video in capabilities - though does in run XP or is it a "Media Centre" PC. You could be in luck if the latter.

Fitting a DVD burner into your PC will enable you to record to DVD. You will be able to fit a lot more data onto a disc and, with the appropriate software (often included with the drive), create discs your DVD player should be able to play. (Though when I Googled your player it seemed to need tweaking to play certain types of disk!). However you still need some way to get your VHS onto your computer.

Thinking about it, Serif do something that should work themselves: http://www.serif.com/SerifExtra/TemplatePages/ Product/258/183/1.htm . Maybe you could try to get them to knock some money off, as otherwise your software is no good to you. Not used the device, so I can't vouch for it. Otherwise, PC World should have something. The Hauppauge site: http://www.hauppauge.co.uk/site/products/prods .html will give you an idea of the sort of internal and external devices. Internal devices generally tend to work better, but you will need to be comfortable with popping open your PC to install. Oh - you'll probably also need a lead or two to connect your VCR to any device/card you buy.

Re the software you use to burn your music, some such software does include the facility to capture from a card/device. Does yours have a video component? If so, try clicking it and see if there is an option along the lines of "Capture Video".

[shylock73]

Merci mon ami, but I`ve decided not to bother with it after all------too much for my nut to handle.

[LeMarchand]

No problem - why not go for the DVD recorder for around �50 ( http://www.ebuyer.com/product/131895 )? Just use SCART or similar to hook up your VCR and press "record"!

[shylock73]

Bonjour mon brave! looks good ```````i`ll give it a look.