Help with Video Options

momscorpio wrote on 11/14/2002, 8:51 PM
Hi! I hope someone can help me. I've been making videos with VideoFactory and having a great time. I'd like to be able to take them off the computer to give to people. I think sending them to VCR will be one of my best options. I'm so confused about what to buy. I'd like someone who is using VideoFactory now and is making VCR tapes to help me out. Some of the option I found to buy at Circuit City included the following: Dazzle Digital Video Creator (regular or 150 hi-speed), Dazzle Fusion, Dazzle DVD creation Station. Are any of you using any of these options? If not, could you tell me specificially what you might be using as I don't want to learn a new software and I want to buy something compatible with VideoFactory.

I have successfully created a Video CD and can play it in my high-end DVD player but not in regular DVD players. HOwever, I do get some audio glips in the video that aren't on the computer but end up on the Video CD.

So ... I'd love some help. Thanks for listening.
Debbie

Comments

Chienworks wrote on 11/14/2002, 8:59 PM
Debbie, just out of curiosity, i assume you're making videos of things you've taped with a camcorder, right? If so, are you using a DV camcorder? I'm guessing that since you haven't mentioned owning any sort of analog->DV device already. If this is true, then you can probably use your DV camcorder to convert the output from VideoFactory to an analog audio/video signal to record on a VCR.

Assuming i've been right so far, you can render your video to a DV .avi file, connect the camera to the firewire port on your computer like you have been doing for capturing, set the camera to VCR mode, connect the analog A/V output from the camcorder to the line inputs on the VCR, and use the "Print to Tape" tab in the VidCap program to send the DV .avi file to the camera. The signal should end up going to the VCR and you can record it while VidCap plays.
momscorpio wrote on 11/14/2002, 9:05 PM
Actually I've only been creating videos w/photos on the computer. I haven't input anything from a camera yet. So I'm really a novice on any sort of inputting/outputting from the computer. I saw your post earlier (in fact I took it to Circuit City with me tonight to look at DV/AV converters and that's where all the confusion set in.
IanG wrote on 11/15/2002, 3:15 AM
Did you write your VCD to a DVD-R or a DVD-RW? Some DVD players will read one but not the other. This has little to do with price, though the cheaper Far Eastern players, built from PC components, tend to be compatible with a wider range of media and formats. There's a lot of information, including compatibility tables, at vcdhelp.


Ian G.
soundguy63 wrote on 11/15/2002, 8:33 AM
If you specifically want a convertor, then I can recommend the Canopus ADVC-100. It's an excellent unit. However, since this device has a street price of about $285 and you dont yet have a video camera, then I think I'd echo Chienworks comments and say that a digital video camera would be a good idea.
That way you could move into shooting video as well as converting the output from your computer going to VHS.
If you go that route, I'd recommend a Digital8 camera. The tape format is more durable for home use than Mini-DV, the Hi-8/Digital8 tapes cost half as much as Mini-DV tapes and the cameras are generally less expensive. It's what I use for personal taping and I have access to a wide range of much more expensive professional gear.
The recorded signal is identical to Mini-DV and the cameras operate exactly as Mini-DV cameras do including Firewire input and output.
If you do only buy a standalone converter, I have no personal experience with the Dazzle units, but I read alot of negative comments on various forums regarding difficulties using some of them.
momscorpio wrote on 11/15/2002, 1:14 PM
Thanks for the replies.

I did write to CD-RW (not DVD-RW) and I'm learning they are different.

I like the idea of buying the Digital video camera. Sounds like I'd have more versatility. Can I take footage off of a video tape to the camera to the computer? That would really be a good option for me.

That's why I didn't want to buy something (Dazzle) before I asked here as I know these piece can be frustrating if they aren't compatible.

After I get the camera I'm sure I'll be back with more questions.

One more ... any advice about the audio glips? Everything is great except for a couple of one or two second stutters.
Stiffler wrote on 11/15/2002, 5:20 PM
For capturing from a VHS tape (from a VCR), you will want a camcorder that will to an analog -> DV pass-through. Not all Digital-8 camcorders will do this.
I think my Sony TRV-240 ($600usd) is the lowest digital-8 that has this feature.

I started with a Dazzle DCV-80 and would not recommend it, I just gave it away.
randy-stewart wrote on 11/15/2002, 5:35 PM
All,
I have a TRV-120 and it passes through nicely. Only cost $420 new from a store in NY off of the internet. Highly recommend the Sony Handycam's (digital 8). By the way there is a step-by-step for pass though on this forum...search on key word "pass-through" to find it. In fact, here is the link "http://www.sonicfoundry.com/forums/ShowMessage.asp?ForumID=12&MessageID=97505". You'll have to paste it into your url adddress box and hit go. Hope this helps.
Aloha,
Randy
randy-stewart wrote on 11/15/2002, 6:06 PM
Try this link "http://r3.us.rmi.yahoo.com/rmi/http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_BrowseCatalog-Start;sid=VRoa5EevJcoa7Hp63iIQ7wi_EmHMcYc56ts=/rmivars%3ftarget=_top?CategoryName=dcc_DICamcorders" on Yahoo. It shows a Sony TRV-140 for $499 with free shipping and case. That should do the trick.
Randy
randy-stewart wrote on 11/15/2002, 6:09 PM
Whoa, scratch that...try this link for Sony's under $400 and newer models..."http://advanced.search.shopping.yahoo.com/shop/cvideo_camera_8mm_hi8_digital8?&b_manufacturer=Sony&t=browse&browsename=&clink=&spaceid=".
Be careful not to select a model with an E on the end as these are usually PAL's...unless of course...that's what you need. Also, read the spec's. Look for audio/video in and out capability along with i-link.
Randy
Stiffler wrote on 11/16/2002, 1:46 AM
Sorry, Randy...

Can you do analog ->DV passthrough with your camera??

randy-stewart wrote on 11/16/2002, 12:54 PM
No problem. There are certainly a lot of models and, as I'm finding out, not all do the same things.
Yes, I have successfully done pass-through with several VHS tapes. The quality is pretty good also. I have a sample on the Chienworks site...scroll down to stewartr002_adventurers in Saudi Arabia. The source video was over 10 years old and was a second generation copy so don't judge the quality from that one. I'm planning to re-edit our vacation video from several years ago soon which was shot entirely with a VHS-C camera. It was one of my first projects with Dazzle Moviestar and VideoWave and the sound was all out of sync so need to redo it. I'll probably post a sample on the site for viewing.
Take care,
Randy
zeldarose wrote on 11/18/2002, 5:22 PM
To make VCR tapes you must have a video out card. Connect video card to VCR. I render my Video Factory file as MPEG file (MPEG is MUCH smaller than avi). My videos run between 15 - 25 minutes long. The MPEG rendering brings an avi file of 2.5g down to 212M. Then open this file in Windows Media Player and play with full screen option on and record your video. This is very quick and easy.