VHS to DVD converter

[ron]

I was looking at buying a new capture card for my PC so that I can capture old VHS tapes and edit to DVD and I came across the following product: [ame=http://www.amazon.co.uk/Converter-Maker-easy-convert-software-Supports/dp/B002Y4RA12/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top#moreAboutThisProduct]USB 2.0 VHS to DVD Converter/DVD Maker-easy way to: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo[/ame]

 

There's only one review so far on amazon for this, for £20 it seems like a bargain!!

 

It even has it's own software, I don't know what the software is like or what the limits are, I used movie maker then DVD maker to add my footage to DVD at present.

 

However I wanted to more feedback before I bought it, has anyone got one of these or know what they are like.

 

Cheers!

[Hightower]

I use a Dazzle Platinum and I have never had a spot of bother with it. I can't help with your product but thought I would offer up what I use

[soveryapt]

I know this is more expensive, but I know a couple of people who bought one and quite liked the results ..

 

Browse for Products | CPC

 

Dunno about the particular product you're looking to buy though. My only thing would be that my wife's son bought something similar, and couldn't get it to work with his laptop .. it wasn't the same product, but just thought I'd say ..

[LeMarchand]

I've not used one of that particular type, but the similar items I have used have been "OK" and the quality will be dependent on your PC's specs as well.

 

I've always had best results by plugging a VCR into a DVD Recorder. If you want to edit, then stick the DVD in your PC and use whatever you normally use to rip/edit DVDs. There's plenty of free software out there that should do the trick, but I quite like Videoredo TV Suite because you can work on the VOBs directly and it's very easy to use. It's only drawback (IMHO - apart from being a bit ugly) is that the DVD menus it creates are very basic. (Also great for transferring PVR-DVDR-Temp Disc until program commercially available and cutting out the ads while you're at it). Comes to more than the device you have listed, though!

[laserblazer]

I had a teacher email me in a panic yesterday because she needed to show a dvd at a presentation this morning and it was on vhs. Chucked it into a vcr I have connected to a dvd recorder and in 30 minutes she had her 20 minute dvd. It was an internally produced dance video, so no copyright issues, which is not always the case when copying commercial tapes.

[neon]

i bought one of these

 

Easy CAP USB Record VCR VHS Video to PC AV S-video DVD on eBay (end time 04-Feb-10 05:43:13 GMT)

 

cheap, and does the job, whats £5 if it dont work? very similar to the one from amazon, mine came with ulead video editing software aswell.

 

Hope this helps...

Edited January 18, 2010 by neon

[soveryapt]

I had a teacher email me in a panic yesterday because she needed to show a dvd at a presentation this morning and it was on vhs. Chucked it into a vcr I have connected to a dvd recorder and in 30 minutes she had her 20 minute dvd. It was an internally produced dance video, so no copyright issues, which is not always the case when copying commercial tapes.

 

Re Copyright issues, my understanding is, so long as you keep the DVD with the original VHS (either in a sleeve stuck to the inside of the VHS box or to the back or it or something like that) then there aren't any issues as you have transferred it for a legitimate reason - I'm doing a bit of research into the best solution for moving over the numerous teaching resources as one of my schools from VHS to DVD given the VHS players are slowly dying and they all have a computer in their room!

[chris57]

we have a LG VHS - dvd recorder combo which does the job nicely if the video neededs editing afterwards just rip to pc from dvd most cases not.

[laserblazer]

Re Copyright issues, my understanding is, so long as you keep the DVD with the original VHS (either in a sleeve stuck to the inside of the VHS box or to the back or it or something like that) then there aren't any issues as you have transferred it for a legitimate reason - I'm doing a bit of research into the best solution for moving over the numerous teaching resources as one of my schools from VHS to DVD given the VHS players are slowly dying and they all have a computer in their room!

 

Interesting point, do you want to kick off the test case? I've asked a number of companies that have supplied us with vhs programmes and they have all said that we must purchase the dvd. The vhs version clearly states no unauthorised copying.

Edited January 18, 2010 by laserblazer

[tmcd35]

Re Copyright issues, my understanding is, so long as you keep the DVD with the original VHS (either in a sleeve stuck to the inside of the VHS box or to the back or it or something like that) then there aren't any issues as you have transferred it for a legitimate reason - I'm doing a bit of research into the best solution for moving over the numerous teaching resources as one of my schools from VHS to DVD given the VHS players are slowly dying and they all have a computer in their room!

 

I researched into this a while ago when I wasw looking into EULA's. The fact is it comes under "transfer of media" and is currently not permitted under copyright law. This is the same as transfering a Vinyl to Cassette Tape or CD to MP3. Apparantly copyright law is under review due to the popularity of MP3 but the last article I found on the subject was a BBC news story from early 2008.

[RTFM]

We use the Hauppauge capture card to get VHS onto a PC via WinTV. This allows you to edit and export again or burn to DVD i.e. using Adobe Premiere Pro.

 

It gives quite a bit of flexibility for what we are doing with it. School productions etc can have titles added, we can make semi professional looking DVD menu's etc etc.

 

Maybe an option depending what your wanting to do

[ron]

Thanks for all of your replies so far, I have also seen this one, which someone mentioned in this thread: [ame=http://www.amazon.co.uk/EasyCap-Video-Capture-Device-Adapter/dp/B0011N9QNC/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1263830734&sr=8-6]EasyCap USB 2.0 Video Capture Device DVR Card Adapter: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo[/ame]

 

I bought a capture card about 6 years ago but it won't work with my new PC (running Vista!) so it's currently in an older PC and then I have connected up a VCR, you can't capture into movie maker so I use the software that can with the capture card, can't think of it's name off the top of my head but I think i'd prefer the usb cable with the composite and phono's attached rather than use a VHS to DVD recorder.

 

It's looking at around £5 to £30 to get one of these USB devices which isn't bad, it's compatiable with vista so this way I could use it on my new PC.

[laserblazer]

If you can find a digital camcorder with AVin and you have a computer with a firwire port, then that will do it.

[PeteM]

Thanks for all of your replies so far, I have also seen this one, which someone mentioned in this thread: EasyCap USB 2.0 Video Capture Device DVR Card Adapter: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo

 

I bought a capture card about 6 years ago but it won't work with my new PC (running Vista!) so it's currently in an older PC and then I have connected up a VCR, you can't capture into movie maker so I use the software that can with the capture card, can't think of it's name off the top of my head but I think i'd prefer the usb cable with the composite and phono's attached rather than use a VHS to DVD recorder.

 

It's looking at around £5 to £30 to get one of these USB devices which isn't bad, it's compatiable with vista so this way I could use it on my new PC.

 

[ame=http://www.amazon.co.uk/ClimaxDigital-EZCAP-SNAPSHOT-capture-source/dp/B001MH7J7W/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1263891327&sr=8-2]ClimaxDigital EZCAP SNAPSHOT USB 2.0 Video capture with: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo[/ame]

 

You might want to read the blurb under the Technical Details section that accompanies the above product. It looks like they're implying that easycap is a cheaper version of ezcap.

[SteveBentley]

With a lot of these capture devices it's often crap software that lets them down rather than the hardware. My (admittedly out of date) experience is that you'll never fully uninstall Hauppauge's software but it will keep a lock on the capture device so no other software can access it, and Pinnacle's isn't good at keeping audio and video in sync over longish recordings.

[soveryapt]

Interesting point, do you want to kick off the test case?

 

I'm possibly not that confident unless I had someone who wanted to back me .. lol ..

 

I've asked a number of companies that have supplied us with vhs programmes and they have all said that we must purchase the dvd. The vhs version clearly states no unauthorised copying.

 

True, and in the cases where the DVD version is available I have told the school we're better buying it anyway as it's obviously still a thought of resource and one they may of put additional bits into. Because of the time it takes then we would opt for buying of a DVD version anyway (I know it I opened the flood gates then I'd never get anything else done).

 

I researched into this a while ago when I wasw looking into EULA's. The fact is it comes under "transfer of media" and is currently not permitted under copyright law. This is the same as transfering a Vinyl to Cassette Tape or CD to MP3. Apparantly copyright law is under review due to the popularity of MP3 but the last article I found on the subject was a BBC news story from early 2008.

 

I'm hoping that where the resource isn't available on DVD and VHS players dying a death they might be happy to overlook the transfer of media element with it being a school .. lol .. but you are right, it's never the copyright, but the transfer of media that is a sticking point ..

[judyB]

Re Copyright issues, my understanding is, so long as you keep the DVD with the original VHS (either in a sleeve stuck to the inside of the VHS box or to the back or it or something like that) then there aren't any issues as you have transferred it for a legitimate reason - I'm doing a bit of research into the best solution for moving over the numerous teaching resources as one of my schools from VHS to DVD given the VHS players are slowly dying and they all have a computer in their room!

 

ERA recordings can be transferred - so anything you or a teacher recorded off air for educational purposes can be transferred to DVD or internal server, as long as it's labelled with the date, channel and the ERA licence text. [Frequently Asked Questions]

 

Commercial recordings are a not covered by ERA tho.

[MbroTech]

If you haven't a licence you always need to ask the copyright or licence holder for permission. I have found most to be very accomodating, but occasionally an extra charge is levied. It is not worth bypassing the law because you think it will be ok. It also depends if the system you are copying too allows multiple viewings at once. We have an ERA+ licence so we can enable staff and students to view at home via the VLE too.

 

But occasionally you have to keep watching the VHS if no such permission is forthcoming and the resource is unavailable on DVD or the curriculum are not willing to buy it again.

[SteveBentley]

I'm hoping that where the resource isn't available on DVD and VHS players dying a death they might be happy to overlook the transfer of media element with it being a school .. lol .. but you are right, it's never the copyright, but the transfer of media that is a sticking point ..

 

There is the argument (and IANAL) that if it isn't available on DVD then no harm has come to the copyright holder. You haven't denied them a sale (because they weren't selling it), and so the damages would be precisely nil.

[enjay]

There is the argument (and IANAL) that if it isn't available on DVD then no harm has come to the copyright holder. You haven't denied them a sale (because they weren't selling it), and so the damages would be precisely nil.

 

There is such an argument, although it is wrong (unfortunately). You're right that you haven't cost them any money, but you have still broken to terms of the copyright agreement on the cassette. The fact that the resource exists only on VHS doesn't alter the terms of the copyright on it.