Sending to VCR and vf.bak files

blurb87 wrote on 6/6/2002, 2:32 PM

Hello -
First I will start by mentioning that the two subjects are unrelated. They are just two separate questions I have had for a while. So we will start with the first one.
One of the reasons I got into this whole video editing thing was to help edit my families videos and get them distributed to family members. Yes, I am 15. It was my dads original idea, but I seem to be the only one that find VF "fun and easy at the same time". Oh well, thats enough of my family history. Back to the question. When I am done editing the movies, my prefered method is put them on VideoCD for a few reasons. First, I don't want to publish online because of quality and compatibility setbacks. I also don't want to put them on a cd to be played in the computer because the files are to large to be copied to the hard drive of some of my families computers, (they aren't the most technically inclined) and if you play them direct from the drive, they skip. So, since most everyone in my family has a DVD player, I thought VideoCD was the best. As I have come to find out however, some of the less expensive DVD players are unable to play the CD's. I needed another way, so I started poking around VF. In the capture program, I discovered the print to tape option. I guess for some reason I had always thought that it was only for a DV camera, which I lack. But then I was thinking, why couldn't it work for a VCR? Could it? How? Please let me know.
Now for the second question. It seems that whenever I add a file to the media pool, another file appears in the same folder. The name looks like this: "name.vf.bak". So "laughter" would be like "laughter.vf.bak" Also, i get "sfk" files. These show up with names like this. "laughter" (a wav file) would be "laughter.wav.sfk". the "wav" part changes to whatever type the file is. What are these? It gets kind of annoying, and they are starting to build up. Any thoughts?
As a third question, that I just thought of, is there anyway to just capture audio? Thanks for your help!
-Thurston
P.S. - If I got longwinded, here are the badic questions:
1.) How do I print to VCR tape (if possible)
2.) What is a "*.vf.bak" and "*.*.sfk" files?
3.) How do I capture just audio
P.P.S. - I am using a Dazzle 80 capture device

Comments

miketree wrote on 6/7/2002, 2:44 AM

I'm not sure about the capture equipment you are using, but if you have a dv camera, you can print to tape, then use the video out on your camera to record onto your VCR.

Alternatively, you can play your VCD and record it on your VCR, but you'll lose some quality that way.

kcarroll wrote on 6/7/2002, 8:20 AM

In order to give you specific answers on your output questions, we need more detailed information about your capture hardware.

In my application, I print to VHS tape all the time. To do this, and to do my captures of analog source video, I use an external Analog/Digital converter by Canopus. My computer and VF see this device as a digital camera and everything on the computer side is dealt with as digital data. When I tell VF to "Print To Tape", it sends a digital signal back out the 1394 connection, which my converter then processes into an analog signal for the benefit of my cheap VHS VCR.

Are you capturing analog of digital source video?
How does your Dazzle connect to the computer? (USB? 1394? Parallel Port?)
Does your Dazzle allow for both analog and digital output?

kcarroll

Stiffler wrote on 6/8/2002, 1:24 AM

I believe the capture device is the Dazzle DVC-80, is this right Thurston?

I started with this device for capturing alalog video. Unfortunatly the DVC-80 came with VideoWave...I almost gave up after using that peice of ...(stop...slow down...)

So, the DVC-80 is only for captuing analog via the USB. It only has inputs, so it is one way.

How do you get your video to VCR?
<<<Alternatively, you can play your VCD and record it on your VCR, but you'll lose some quality that way.>>>--miketree

Good option, until you can wait for your parents buy a new digital camcorder.

Since this was your dads idea (editing)....The next project you do in VF, every time he is in a scene...use VF to add a blur to him, or some kind of bad looking effect. When he asks about it...tell him that is the camcorder, or the limitations of analog capture. That way you'll have a new digital camcorder alot sooner. (Would work for a spouce also). See..."I want a new camcorder", by Grazie.

Back to question #3. You should be able to capture audio only, from what ever sorce you want by just hooking up your audio cables. (I have not tried this).

Hope it helps, and someone chime in if I'm a little off on my post. :)