Newbie question

kgresko wrote on 1/7/2004, 11:52 AM

As a former Pinnacle Studio user, I was able to output movies to a VHS recorder for some friends of mine who have not taken the leap yet into DVD.

I have used the trial version of MS3 and it is by far the most stable NLE consumer product I have ever used.

I have created a 30 min production in MS3 and want to output it to VHS tape, using my Sony DV camcorder as a passthru. Has anyone had any experience on how to set this up. I clicked on "make movie" and it rendered as an avi file which I expected since I checked DV camcorder. Then I got lost on what to do, and the instruction book with MS3 did not explain it in any detail.

Help please!!!!

Comments

mbryant wrote on 1/7/2004, 12:35 PM

You need to use thhe "print to tape" function. What I usually do is actually print to DV tape with the DV cam connected to the VHS player, so it outputs to both the DV (which I save as the master) and the VHS. But I think if you do it without a tape in the DV it will still work.

Mark

kgresko wrote on 1/7/2004, 5:06 PM

Thanks Mark, now one more question. Do I have the DV camcorder set to play and the VCR to record using the input connections on the VCR?

GerryLeacock wrote on 1/7/2004, 5:12 PM

If you are using firewire, all the controlling of the camera is done on the monitor. (Play, stop, record, etc.)

kgresko wrote on 1/8/2004, 5:17 PM

Thanks Gerry, now I assume when you say monitor you are speaking about the TV that my VCR is connected to. Or should I say that the controlling is done on the VCR? Play/Stop/Record etc.

GerryLeacock wrote on 1/8/2004, 5:33 PM

I meant the computer monitor - as in: on screen in MovieStudio3. You'll see the start/stop/pause type of buttons there in the program.

mbryant wrote on 1/9/2004, 12:31 AM

To try and explain further: Yes, when you print to tape (from the PC - you get here from "Make movie" and "save it to your camcorders DV tape), you can control the DV camcorder from the PC. I.e. rewind the tape, and start the recording process.

On the VCR, it is an ordinary video connection (composite, S-video, whatever you have) between the camcorder and the VCR. So you either can:

1. Press record on the VCR at the same time as you click "record to device" from MS. This will output to your camcorder and through to the VCR at the same time. If you have a tape in the camcorder it will create a DV tape, if not the signal should just pass through (but you need to be careful, some camcorders shut off after a time if no tape in them).

2. As 1, but in a 2 step process. I.e. create the DV tape, then in a separate step simply play the tape from the camcorder into the VCR - pressing play on the camcorder as you press record on the VCR.

Usually I make multiple VHS copies, so I use method 1 for the first one, and method 2 for subsequent ones.

Mark

kgresko wrote on 1/9/2004, 6:42 AM

Mark, Thanks so much for your detailed description. I am kinda new at this, and sometimes need the exact "how to", I am trying to get my brother-in-law to spring for a DVD player. The prices have hit rock bottom. Maybe I will get him one for his Birthday this March, then I can do all of his VHS tapes to DVD.

mbryant wrote on 1/9/2004, 7:27 AM

I'm happy to help! I've learned a lot from this forum, and while I'm still learning I'm glad to know enough to give something back!

I've just recently got a DVD writer; but like you I have family that don't have a DVD player, and I want to share family videos with them... so I have to create VHS copies as well as now DVDs.

Mark