RE: FN-FORUM: PC Card with Video In

date posted 20th January 2005 22:39

> I'm looking to transfer all my videos to DVD and need to find a nice
> (cheap) card with Video In so that I can transfer them to my PC.=20
> Anyone any recommendations on this?
> TIA
> Martin (not counting just yet)

I have tried the PC method (P4, XP HOME, ULEAD etc.) and I have tried =
the
home entertainment method (LITEON 5000 DVD recorder).
Overall I favour the Home Ent. way of doing things.

Using the PC to just record VHS to DVD I found over-complicated, and was
best used for short programs, camcorder footage, or snipits where fine
editing is required.

The different software packages I used were:

* Windows Movie Maker - easy to use and create interesting effects - =
mostly
for editing and producing good looking camcorder presentations.
* Dr. DIVX - required some practice to get usable output despite easy to =
use
feel - compresses various video formats into small files that can be =
burned
to CD-R and played DVD players.
* IUVCR - fairly easy to use, useful and small tool - can be used to =
record
video and sound from any source plugged into yr PC.
* Ulead DVD Movie Factory 2 - quite easy to use, long winded - DVD, VCD
capture, edit, package, and burn software.

I used two different USB TV cards, both from Maplins. The first was USB1 =
and
had a S-video connection and coaxial phono - I think it was called WINTV
USB. It was very poor.=20
The second was USB2 and had a full composite set of phono's (yellow, =
red,
white) and cost around =A330, shipping with ULEAD DVD 3 as above. It =
could
record 30frames per second (TV quality), and 730px wide pictures.

Overall I was really impressed with the quality of the PC recording, but
when it came to creating a DVD there were quite a few processes required =
to
produce one - including: editing, creating menus, and waiting for the =
film
to render in the DVD format, then burn to a disc at only 8X.=20
All this AFTER you've had to sit through the whole 6hr long play video =
while
it was being recorded onto the PC!

Whereas...

Recording DVD's using the LITEON DVD recorder is automatic in =
comparison.=20
The only hardware you need is the DVD recorder and some connecting =
cables.
The LITEON DVD 5000 is a =A3130 DVD region free recorder that burns =
DVD-/+R,
-/+RW, VCD1, VCD2, CD-Audio.

It works in the same way as a standard VHS recorder - it has timer
functions, scart, DV, and phono inputs as well as a TV tuner for =
recording
straight to DVD.
When you want to copy a VHS to DVD, simply pop both into the respected
machines, press record on the DVD and play on the VHS, wait for the =
program
to finish, finalise the DVD and you are done.
DVD copy created.

The rub is that the edits and the menu's are rough.=20
But if you have a large collection to transfer believe me you wont care =
(so
long as the process is quick) after the first 1/2.

The bonus is you can record from your PC direct to DVD using the S-Vid
connection and thus transfer a load of collected MPEGs straight to a
guaranteed working DVD format disc that plays in 99% of the commercial =
DVD
machines out there.

Word of caution: copying pre-recorded VHS to DVD requires disabling the
MACRO VISION setting on the DVD recorder - however this (and the REGION =
FREE
settings) can be adjusted by typing a code in on the DVD recorder remote
control. The codes and loads of other info and firmware can be found in =
the
DVD recording forums - let me know if you want the links.

The DVD recorder is available at Ebuyer.com, and the PC card and ULEAD
software is available at Maplins. The other software is online somewhere
(Google it).

HTH

Justin
www.lightsurgery.co.uk