How to post vintage footage?

[BR549]

Back in the late 90s, I did a ton of video on VHS. Is there any way possible to get that VHS onto the computer? If so, how?

I was never able to get into still photography. I realized there was more to it than aiming and and pushing the shutter button. I did, however, pick up videography alot better. I haven't done any in a while. But now that this site is up, I'm more motivated to get back into it again.

If anyone can give me any tips with the VHS, I'd appreciate it. Thanks in advance.

[JRMDC]

Related topic: I have succeeded in getting my VHS stuff (not trains!) onto the computer, onto DVDs, anyway.

(I bought some sort of hardware device that takes the red/white/yellow standard cables and turns it into a USB on the other end. For some reason the system writes to DVD but no to the hard drive of the computer. I can post what it is later, if someone doesn't chime in with a better version.)

But the format is not one of the major video formats, and so I'm wondering how best to work with this stuff. I need an editor to take the format I have (can't remember what it is, but I need VLC to play it as the usual WMediaPlayer and so forth won't recognize it) and convert it to something more customary (what do people prefer?) and do some minor editing as well.

So I'm hoping people can answer with respect to the entire workflow from VHS to final product, thanks.

[Trendyh]

I have been using one of these to put all my old VHS and 8mm family movies onto DVD, it work fine. here's a link to the brand I use but I'm sure there are other brands, I don't where you buy one in your location. I got mine from Jaycar in Australia,
Hope this helps.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=612720&Sku=O38-1022

[Wizzo]

I have a Hauppauge TV card in my PC which has the facility to connect an AV source.

I can attach a VHS video recorder to the card via the Scart socket and the yellow/white/red cables (beware - Scart connections are directional. I had to purchase a switchable in/out Scart to yellow/white/red adaptor before it worked). I can then capture analogue video via the Hauppauge software or Ulead Studio.

Quality loss is minimal and the results perfectly acceptable when transferred to DVD. Unfortunately, the railway footage I have on VHS from the 80's isn't of good enough initial quality to be accepted on the VR site.

[matt]

My dad has an analogue capture card which can be connected to the VHS player via the three cables and then edited using Pinnacle Studio. Here is an example of a video from 1988 (not 98 as the title says) http://www.railways.mjspencer.com/videos/get.php?id=22 (also this has been compressed as wmv for web upload)

[Mustang11]

If your computer doesn't have the proper video in components you can hook your vhs source (old video camera, vcr, ect) up to a modern digital camcorder. It may take a little tweaking but you then should be able to use it though usb/firewire/ilink to record it using a program like imovie/windows movie maker. The digital camcorder should be set to camera mode and the source should be set to its play mode.

If you don't have a digital camcorder and cant borrow one, your other option is to get a tv tuner/video input device for your comp. Just check the one you chose has necessary ports to hook up to your vcr or older camera and also that it has capture software if you need it. On average these devices range from about $50 - $100 but some can be found for a lot more. I have converted vhs to both macs and pc's using both these methods so if you need further help let me know.

Brian