Anyone know how to transfer tapes to dvd?

[npmommie]

I have these sony camcorder tapes, the little ones, i think they are hi-8, anyway i want to transfer them to dvds.
my dh brought me home an article from the newspaper awhile back about this and it mentioned a program you could get for the computer which would let you put the tapes into the computer then you could burn them to dvd.
at least I think that was the jist of it........it was awhile ago, and I didn't follow thru, and I can't find the article, and I can't remember the name of the program.

so has anyone done something like this. I want to do it myself rather than send off the tapes to someone else to do. I am paranoid they will get lost.

 

[muffyn]

I never could figure out how to do it on my computer, I think I never had the "ooomph" needed in power either
my solution was to purchase a DVD video recorder. you can find them under $100 now. you just record your *tape* to the recorder & it will burn the dvd's for you. so easy to edit them on there also!
they are great for recording tv shows etc & then burning them to dvds. I highly recommend this route to go!

 

[TheGoofster]

here's a cheaper way of doing it on your PC:
http://www.amazon.com/Global-Market..._1_4?ie=UTF8&s=software&qid=1245566619&sr=8-4

I actually have this exact unit, and it works great. It does take longer than a VCR / DVD burner does, but it costs a lot less. Basically with a VCR / DVD recorder, it burns a DVD while you are watching your tape, so it only takes as long as the actual tape is, plus a few extra minutes to finalize the burn. Most of them have a place to hook up pretty much any kind of audio / video unit, so you can connect your camcorder directly to it, and burn a DVD from there.

With the Honestech unit, it might take 4 or 5 times longer, but it does give you quite a bit of editing features as well (if you want to use them, but it also has a simple quick burn option).

If price isn't an option, then I would definitely go with a VCR / DVD burner. If price is an option, then for 25 dollars or so, you can get something like what I linked to.

 

[bicker]

Our camcorder directly connects to our PC via firewire, and most premium video editing software you can buy supports pulling the content directly off the tape via that port.

However, note that for long-term storage (of any digital data), tape is the best method available to the average user. While what you're suggesting is a good idea to provide yourself a back-up, you should never record over video tapes, figuring that your "original" data is safer on DVD. It simply is not the case.

 

[npmommie]

my solution was to purchase a DVD video recorder. you can find them under $100 now. you just record your *tape* to the recorder & it will burn the dvd's for you. so easy to edit them on there also!
they are great for recording tv shows etc & then burning them to dvds. I highly recommend this route to go!

I didn't even think of this. I will have to look next time I am shopping

here's a cheaper way of doing it on your PC:
http://www.amazon.com/Global-Market..._1_4?ie=UTF8&s=software&qid=1245566619&sr=8-4

I actually have this exact unit, and it works great.

thanks for the link, I will check it out

Our camcorder directly connects to our PC via firewire, and most premium video editing software you can buy supports pulling the content directly off the tape via that port.

However, note that for long-term storage (of any digital data), tape is the best method available to the average user. While what you're suggesting is a good idea to provide yourself a back-up, you should never record over video tapes, figuring that your "original" data is safer on DVD. It simply is not the case.

I wonder if mine connects with a firewire. ( i dont' even know what a fire wire is.....LOL)
I was planning to save the tapes anyway, but I always thought dvd was better for long term storage. dont the tapes break down?


thanks all for the good suggestions

 

[JR6ooo4]

will you be playing the tapes with the camcorder when capturing them?

I bought a product called dazzle. it came with a hardware device (mostly wires) that you plug the camcorder into and then its either connected to the computer through USB or firewire, I forget which. it also came with capture software.

I have captured VCR tapes, mini camcorder tapes, cassette tapes and vinyl albums.

the software gives you much more control over the quality captured and the quality archived to DVD.

Mikeeee

 

[npmommie]

will you be playing the tapes with the camcorder when capturing them?

I bought a product called dazzle. it came with a hardware device (mostly wires) that you plug the camcorder into and then its either connected to the computer through USB or firewire, I forget which. it also came with capture software.

I have captured VCR tapes, mini camcorder tapes, cassette tapes and vinyl albums.

the software gives you much more control over the quality captured and the quality archived to DVD.

Mikeeee

yes i will be playing the camcorder while capturing.
i checked out that link, and that looks like what the article talked about! I couldn't remember the name of the product, but I think that is it, thanks for the link

 

[OctMtnWoods]

I bought this thing at BJ's Wholesale Club around Christmas time. Its on our list of things to do.

Honestech VHS to DVD 3.0 Deluxe $49.99 at the time.
It includes software & a capture device. That's all I know so far.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&...S+to+DVD+3.0&btnG=Google+Search&aq=f&oq=&aqi=

Same as link given above, but this one includes a capture device. Maybe I should have done more research at the time & bought the non-deluxe version?

Our VCRs are dying one at a time. We aren't interested in repairing or replacing them. We don't have a need for another DVD player so didn't want to go the $100 route for another piece of electronics.

We plan on using our camcorder to play the VCR tape for 1 last time to record to DVD. Before the tapes break too. And going to sell the camcorder on ebay. I've looked & people are still paying $100+ for our model of old camcorder.

We don't have too many tapes too do. Wedding, honeymoon, a video made from old 8mm home movies before the film was dried & broken beyond repair too many times, maybe a trip or 2. No kids so not tons of taping done here.

 

[bicker]

I was planning to save the tapes anyway, but I always thought dvd was better for long term storage. dont the tapes break down?

As those of us who have been watching the Discovery Channel series now know, nothing lasts forever , but DVDs break down, and more generally degrade, faster than magnetic tape. Tape simply requires more conscientious storage (don't get 'em wet; don't play with electro-magnets near them).