How to get VHS on my computer?

LeslieD wrote on 4/27/2006, 10:12 AM

I am trying to take some video clips off of an old VHS tape. My camera is a uses mini DV's. I would like to know if it is possible to connect a VCR up to my computer directly and take this forage off of those VHS tapes like that. This is new ground to me and I really don't know what I am doing.

Thanks in advance for the help!

Comments

rs170a wrote on 4/27/2006, 10:25 AM

It might be possible with your miniDV camcorder.
Check the manual and see if it has a feature called pass-through. This allows you to connect the audio & video cables from your VHS deck to your camcorder and "pass them through" to your computer on the firewire cable.

Mike

jrazz wrote on 4/27/2006, 10:31 AM

If you don't you can buy a pci card that allows capture to mpg for cheap, but if you are doing any editing, you will take a hit in the quality of the video.

Another option is ADS or Canopus- as they allow inputs from analog to digital (VCR to Computer) and some even offer the ability to correct problems with the VHS Tape footage.

If you do a search on here you will find a ton of information. I think someone asked the same question yesterday or the day before and there have been plenty over the past several months.

j razz

johnmeyer wrote on 4/27/2006, 10:39 AM

Definitely use your camcorder. It is by far the best way to do this because Vegas works best with the DV AVI files created by the pass-through feature on your camcorder (which hopefully it has). Hook up the composite video (yellow-black-red) from the back of your VCR to your camcorder. Look for a "DV IN/OUT" setting (or something similar) in the menu system of your camcorder. Change that until the VCR output appears on your camcorder screen. Start the Vegas capture app and start capturing.

LeslieD wrote on 4/27/2006, 3:34 PM

Thanks for the help. I did get the pass through option on my video camera to work like a charm!

Now I am having a problem with the video missing lots of parts, but I saw the John Meyer have posted stuff on that in the past, so I will go try to find those posts.

Thanks for the help!

LeslieD wrote on 4/27/2006, 3:37 PM

I really appreciate your step by step directions, John Meyer. I have been playing with my camera (and manual) trying to find the right setting for days and haven't found it, while the manual didn't talk about it. It could have taken me much longer, if it hadn't been for your step by step directions! Thanks again!

johnmeyer wrote on 4/27/2006, 3:40 PM

You're welcome. I hope you found the "missing parts." Normally, unless there are glitches or blank spots on your VHS tapes, nothing should be missing.