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VHS to AVI


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Posted (edited)

perhaps someone has alot of VHS tapes they want to archive they dont last forever and a digital version could be more flexible, used at the same time in multiple locations etc etc.

 

im also guessing that "Avi" was used as a generic term for digital video.

Edited by gaz350
Posted
perhaps someone has alot of VHS tapes they want to archive

We (well, by "we" I mean our Librarian) have converted a few old VHS to DVD - not quite as versatile as AVI/MPEG but it does the job for purposes of showing them to a class. If someone were to specifically want it as an AVI then they could always rip it themselves from the DVD.

 

Of course, the legality of media transfer of this nature, especially for multi-location viewing as suggested by Gaz350, is a separate question entirely...

Posted
i have set up a video into a dvd recorder for transfering vhs onto dvd, i have then, on occasion run the dvd through handbrake which converts to avi or mpeg opr whatever really. bit cumbersome but it works.
Posted
a vhs to dvd converter would indeed be the way to go, but as he says video editing implementation, i was wondering if he was in fact refering to having video cameras that run from VHS, in which case i would have suggested switchig to mini-dv.
Posted

Once again, I would like to refer people to the frequent posts about copying to DVD existing videos.

 

Search for ERA and / or copyright and you will see plenty of threads discussing this and options to do it (or resaons why you can't).

Posted

I've not actually tried from a VHS, but we use an Osprey ViewCast 210 card in a rubbish PC to capture from Digital Cameras.

 

It's going to be used to capture from VHS though, so I might post back when I find out how it is.

Posted
We use a rather simple method to capture a/v feeds to digital format. We just hook up the av output of the video player to the av in on one of the schools video cameras. Then you can just dump the files onto a computer via fire wire and encode or burn as necessary. Easy and free if you already have a camera set up for video editing stuff.
Posted

We use a Pinnacle moviebox/pinnacle dazzle and Pinnacle studio that came with it..VHS in one end, other into USB, and bingo.

 

I also have an old analogue TV card in my workstation with a VCR plugged into it, and I record from that direct into movie maker.

Guest kerrymoralee9280
Posted

Sorry for the confusion - lets say Science have videos (VHS). Old videos that take up a lot of storage space and rely on an old technology. So I want to put these onto a digital format (lets say AVI's or any other format you suggest) and store on a NAS box so they can access them easily and freely.

 

I've looked into Dazzle but didn't want to buy it without advice from you guys. I just need a way to be able to do it, with the least amount of hassle and the best quality available.

 

I'm not bothered about copyright issues, that's an argument for another day - I just want plain and simple advice about what is the best hardware to buy to do the job.

 

Thanks,

Posted
I'm not bothered about copyright issues, that's an argument for another day - I just want plain and simple advice about what is the best hardware to buy to do the job.

 

Is that not a rather blinkered approach?

 

Also, why spend ages researching the right product, spend out money on it and then find that what you're trying to do is illegal?

Guest kerrymoralee9280
Posted
It's not up to me to be worried about copyright issues. That's not my role - my role is to research into a device that can copy VHS videos into a digital format - that's it. Nothing else. I don't have to write to BBC asking for permission to use their teaching videos. I just need to go back and say this is the device, it will do what you need. It costs this much. Blah blah blah.
Posted

The best way if you want this to be automated is probably to get a Video -> DVD copier. There's lots around but here is an example: http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=219555&source=1&DOY=25m1

 

Then there's loads of software around which will make dvd to your choice of video file (I would reccomend .xvid or .dixv) or you could just make an image of the dvd and then mount it using Deamon tools or similar.

 

One guide to convert dvd to divx is here: http://forum.videohelp.com/topic301015.html

 

This software seems to have some level of automation:

http://www.pressbox.co.uk/detailed/Media/Ultra_DVD_to_DivX_Converter_163682.html

 

Hope that helps.

 

Cheers

Jona

 

Disclaimer: I have never used any of these products, also there lots of legal issues and pitfalls you need to address, I don't condone making illegal copies of copywrite material.

Guest kerrymoralee9280
Posted
Cheers for the advice - will look into all of them now.
Posted
I just need to go back and say this is the device, it will do what you need. It costs this much. Blah blah blah.

 

I think you also have some responsibility to say "this is the device, it will do what you want, blah blah, but it isn't legal", and I'm sure that the Head will see it that way if the brown stuff ever hits the fan and it transpires that you knew it wasn't okay but didn't say anything.

Guest kerrymoralee9280
Posted
I think you also have some responsibility...

 

Well personally Nick, I think if you want to be my line manager you can keep telling me what to do and how to do it. Until then, I'll keep listening to MY CURRENT line manager huh?

Posted
Well personally Nick, I think if you want to be my line manager you can keep telling me what to do and how to do it. Until then, I'll keep listening to MY CURRENT line manager huh?

 

I think Nick is just trying to be helpful here. If your LM asked you to provide him/her with a 13A plug with flying leads you would no doubt point out that there was a serious risk involved. Equally here, you have expert knowledge which should be passed on, if only to cover your own butt. If they choose to ignore your advice and they get done, you can absolve yourself.

 

Back to the real issue. I'm a semi-pro videographer so I know a bit about these things. If I plan to edit the resulting file I normally go from the VHS player to the AV in on a camcorder which has digital passthrough into the computer via firewire. However AVin is not common on camcorders, especially budget and newer models.

 

If I'm knocking something up quickly, it goes from the VHS player to dvd recorder. Play the tape, press record and let it go. If you then want to store the files digitally, simply copy across the .vob files on the dvd and rename them to .mpg This will store them as MPEG2.

Posted
Well personally Nick, I think if you want to be my line manager you can keep telling me what to do and how to do it. Until then, I'll keep listening to MY CURRENT line manager huh?

 

If someone comes in and questions the school about breach of copyright then the fact that you are aware of the issue and fail to do anything about it leaves you in the brown stuff.

 

Be careful ... even if you just get a simple letter or memo from someone higher up it is belt and braces for you.

Guest kerrymoralee9280
Posted

Can I apologise for being a bit sharp. I had a rough week last week but shouldn't have vented it here.

 

Thanks for all the advice.

Posted
Can I apologise for being a bit sharp. I had a rough week last week but shouldn't have vented it here.

 

Thanks for all the advice.

Apology accepted, and thank you for giving it. Too often people bark and never say sorry, so well done for breaking that trend.

Posted
Quite right - see: http://www.era.org.uk/ERA_Licene.html

 

If you're a state school, you're probably already covered by your LEA with a blanket license anyway.

 

--

David Hicks

 

True, but having the licence to play a video is not the same as having the rights to duplicate that video, transfer it from one medium to another or distribute en masse to the whole network all at once.

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