if you click the search link next to the forums link and use keyword "capture" you will find a wealth of information that has been discussed here.

I'm fairly new to this. I have VMS in my laptop and editing video clips from my camera. Thats about it. Just so happen to see all those VHS tapes on the shelf,,,,looks like a good project. A lot of suggestions out there are all based on copying them straight to DVD,,,,since I have VMS I thought I would tailor it to my creativity but need help on hardware that would do the transfer without much hassle.

Rustier.....you were'nt kidding on the 'wealth' of information. Not lite-reading by any means.....I'll have to dive in and get going,....thanks for the quick response.

ttinyo,

I use a decent sony VHS deck, and my sony digital camcorder (which can convert analog to digital) connected to my pc via firewire.

I get the data onto my hard drive pretty much the same way you would transfer normal footage off the camera.

Once it's on the pc I can edit it and play around with it, until I'm ready to burn it onto the dvd.

Nothing fancy, but I get totally acceptable results.

Hope this helps!

Stubborn Swiss
I also us a sony camera which has pass through capabilities. I use Vegas Platinum 6 to capture.. Only once was I actually able to do the pass through to the computer. After that I always have to capture to the camera tape and then to the computer. I know I am doing some thing wrong, because I did it once. Any ideas on this.
Fishbelt

fishbelt,

the first and only thing that comes to mind, is that you have the camcorder setttings wrong.

In your Camcorder Operating Instructions, there should be a section titled "Capturing images from an analog video unit on a computer - Signal convert function", or something similar. Please follow the instructions, and you should be fine.

What camcorder are you using?

I hope this helps!

Camera is DCR_TRV480 Handy/cam. For cheap model it works well for. Fishbelt

See page 116 of the TRV480 manual. You want to change the "A/V->DV OUT" setting to ON. This will pass through the analog input to the digital port (the default is go to the other way, digital->analog). In the Sony Video Capture utility, click Options->Preferences->General and uncheck "Enable DV device control." Be sure to check this back on when you are finished with your analog capture so normal device control will work. Position your VCR where you want to start capturing and press PLAY on the VCR, then click "Capture Video" on the capture utility. The stop button on the utility will stop capturing and bring up a window that confirms whether you want to save the just-captured clip.

If you can't locate your camcorder manual, it's available from www.sonystyle.com. Try this link:
http://www.iq.sony.com/srvs/DocsConnect/docget.asp?manualid=36057&DL=true

Its been a while since I used my camera for pass-thru, for I capture with other hardware. But I do remember that I had to take the tape out of the camera before it would work properly. This might be worth a try. And I don't think I found this out by reading the manual.

I have a Sony TRV350, so it should be similar.

Ditto that about taking the tape out of the camcorder.

Also ditto the unchecking of the "Enable DV device control".

Towbar, what hardware do you use to convert analog to digital?

Thanks I'll give it a try soon. I have been using a firewire. Ican't remember if the frist time I use the USB connection.
fishbelt

Stubborn Swiss,
I am on a Sony Forum, so I will whisper Pinnacle Studio 10.7., and the capture device is a 700pci, which is a capture card with a breakout box that sits on your desk with all of the input/output connections. It works like a champ, but................

I wish VMS were compatable with this hardware, but I understand. I am going to have to start looking for some VMS compatable analog hardware as well, for I do intend to make the transition.

Any suggestions here?

Any of the Canopus ADVC line. I have an ADVC 300 and like it a lot.