Capture Audio/Video from VCR

FrankLP wrote on 5/6/2004, 5:30 PM

Hi all,
I've tried searching but couldn't quite find the answer. I am trying to capture both video and audio from my VCR to my PC. What's the best capture card (or anything else I need) to get this done? Any insight to this is appreciated! Thanks.

Comments

jetdv wrote on 5/6/2004, 7:28 PM

I run analog to my deck, firewire from deck to computer, and then capture as normal. Many cameras will also do the proper pass-thru. When capturing, make sure the "Enable Device Control" option is OFF.

FrankLP wrote on 5/6/2004, 8:21 PM

Thanks for the response jetdv...upon further review (I guess I should've looked just a bit harder the first time), I guess I can run the video to my capture card and the audio through my soundcard. The audio was what was "throwing me" being that my capture card has no inputs for audio.

johnmeyer wrote on 5/6/2004, 11:15 PM

What jetdv was suggesting is to use your camcorder as the "capture card." Simply hook up the composite (RCA video) or S-video outputs of your VCR to the inputs of your camcorder. Then, hook up the sound from the VCR to your camcorder. Finally, connect the Firewire from your camcorder to the Firewire input on your computer. This Firewire cable is all you need. You set the camcorder to "pass through" the video signal -- not tape need be in the camcorder (in fact, you want to make sure to take the tape out). The camcorder encodes the video into digital DV format and then sends it to the computer. The quality is very good, and unless you have a fantastically good capture card and really know what you are doing, the picture and sound quality will be tough to beat. Also, the resulting video is immediately editable in Vegas.

HeeHee wrote on 5/7/2004, 10:27 AM

If you do not have pass-thru, which not all camcorders have, you may want to look into gettting an Analog to Digital Video Converter like the Canopus ADVC-100. I have one and it works great. You can also use it to go back out to VHS or for External Preview on Monitor.

FYI - other issues with analog capture cards is that the audio and video can become out-of-sync and the output file are not digital and are quite large. An ADVC will sync up the audio and video and the filed are 1/5th the size of analog captures.

DavidPJ wrote on 5/8/2004, 9:27 PM

If you don't have pass through capability, one simple way is to just record on tape from your VCR to the DVCam. Run both the audio and video outputs of your VCR to the inputs on your DVCam. Then capture in Vegas as usual via Firewire. It's one extra step, but you'll then have it on DV tape for archival or backup purposes.

FrankLP wrote on 10/13/2004, 8:40 PM

I just realized I didn't thank all you guys! Thanks for your help!

FrankLP wrote on 10/16/2004, 9:53 AM

Okay...I'm trying to pass this signal from the VCR through my sony PD170 to Vegas. All is going fairly well but the audio tends to crackle. I checked the source tape and the crackle does not exist on the tape, so I am assuming that it is occurring in the caputure process. I checked the signal level and it isn't too hot, so I can anyone give me other ideas as to how I can fix the audio?

johnmeyer wrote on 10/16/2004, 10:12 AM

The PD170 uses balanced XLR audio inputs. How familiar are you with balanced vs. unbalanced audio? In particular, can you describe the cables and/or connectors and adapters that you are using to connect your VCR to the PD170?