how do you convert the old vhs cassetees to dvd???? or whateever that are called they look like cassesttes in a camcroder?????
first step is to convert them onto digital format, for this you need a capture card or video card with TV in plus some capture software. ATI all in one Wonder, hauppauge tv card range etc.. generally you can buy a usb capture device easily enough for £30 in the uk or I'd guess about the same in $ in the usa. check your pc's graphics card, it may already have the ability and may just need a download for capture software. if not then you need to buy the device, try to get one that supports Mpeg2 hardware capture (most dont or only support software) this will allow the card to capture directly to mpeg 2 which is the format required for dvd playback. Software mpeg2 capture is ok if your pc is fast spec. once you have this card you simply play the tapes into your pc and have the software with the device Import or record, windows even has a built in bit of software in XP called Windows movie maker, if you run this now and select import it shows you the current capture devices on your computer, or will show you them when you buy one and add it. this will record the tapes to your pc and you can edit them and convert them to the dvd or other formats then burn them with a dvd writer later for editing, adding menu's etc there are tons of packages, some writing software has basic ones such as nero etc others are more comprehensive but still simple to use such as pinical dvd studio or other pinacle ranges. these allow you to create menu's since usually lots of tapes will fit on one dvd. the size of the captured files on your computer will vary depending on the capture settings and quality of the video files, generally tapes wont be worth capturing at high quality unless its from a digital video camera. [bold] one other thing to add![/bold] I probably should have checked this first, what type of tapes are they? if they are from a newer style video camera with the mini DV tapes (digital) then its possible your camera supports Firewire or USB2, in which case you either just plug it in or buy a cable. if its firewire it would be great for you as all you do is connect the fire wire, windows detects the camera, you then run the windows movie maker application and select import video and select the camera as the device, it will then record all the movies to the pc and even fast forward at blank parts of the tape! Fire wire cards are really cheap at $5 or £5 and cables are about the same! if your camera supports it!
