Don't Throw Out Those Videotapes - Converting VHS Tapes to CDs, DVDs Involves More Crash Than Burn

The Wall Street Journal ^ | Wednesday, July 30, 2003 | WALTER S. MOSSBERG

[TroutStalker]

Millions of people have committed their family memories to videotape -- either the small tapes used in camcorders or larger ones used in VCRs. But videotapes can start losing color and disintegrating after a few years. So there's huge interest in transferring these coveted memories to DVDs or CDs, which have a longer life span and are easier to navigate.

[TroutStalker]

I found out the hard way that what sounds like a simple idea can cause months of frustration. When I bought my new computer last December, I was recovering from surgery and thought I could spend my time converting Hi8 video from almost ten years of family events and vacations into edited DVDs.

To do so, I bought a Dell Dimension 8250 P-4 2.4Gh computer with video capture card and analog converter, Roxio VideoWave Movie Maker software and a DVD+R/RW CD-RW burner. Almost eight months later, I have been able to capture only several video clips from analog (digital works better), and have been able to burn zero DVDs. Right out of the box, nothing seemed able to function properly. And I made this purchase because of Dell's wonderful reputation for quality! Trying to get the problems fixed showed me that the Dell reputation for service was equally untrue.

After seven months, I have had the following hardware replaced: video capture card, motherboard, hard drive (twice), and DVD burner. I have also spent more hours that I can recall on the phone with techs in India having me do the same things over and over again. You have to spend at least four hours on the phone before thay will send someone out to swap a component. The net result of all this: the system is so screwed up that what used to work now doesn't.

When the last onsite visit last week didn't produce any results (it didn't even recognize a DVD player, let alone burner when replaced), and when I mentioned that I happened to have an appointment scheduled with an attorney, Dell agreed to a system swap. It's been one week and still no new box. When it arrives, and if it still doesn't work, there will be hell to pay.

So if you are thinking of trying one of these devices, save your money and wait until someone finally figures out how to do it.

[Solson]

I've got two Sony Vaio's with GigaPocket and have not experienced any problems recording to DVD.

[Izzy Dunne]

wait until someone finally figures out how to do it.

The "someone" you're looking for is here

[TroutStalker]

Have you used them to capture analog video?

[Heff]

I have the latest model Dell, 3.06 chip microburst technology...fully loaded. I use the the Roxio software and I use my Digital Sony Camcorder and a plain ol' VCR and it works great. I've burned all kinds of DVD's and it works great.

[TroutStalker]

I considered Apple, but didn't want the additional expense of replacing all my software.

[TroutStalker]

Hopefully, my replacement will work as well. I can't tell you how frustrated I've been with this not working, and Dell's inability to fix it.

[Solson]

Yup. The only problem I had on the first Vaio was making sure I had the right media. The earlier Vaio DVD burner only accepts DVD-R's so that took some time but it seems to work fine.

Right on the front and the back of the Vaio are RCA inputs along with S-Video inputs. It's really nice so far.

[Grit]

My solution:

New Camcorder will make this easier than a new computer.

I have a Sony Digital 8. ($750) works great.

VCR (any) RCA out to Camcorder - Fire Wire (Card and Cable $30) in to Dell PIII 1Gig. running Ulead Video Studio ($70) burning to CDRW (as mpeg or VCD). I don't have a DVD-R so have not been able to try Uleads DVD writing but the VCDs work great.

Very Simple. Great Results.

[HAL9000]

And I made this purchase because of Dell's wonderful reputation for quality!

It's not a reputation, it's slick advertising.

If you want genuine high quality, get a Mac.

[TroutStalker]

If the replacement system doesn't work, I guess I will have to get what you have. It really burns me to have nothing to show for a half year of frustration.

[CygnusXI]

.
I use a standalone DVD recorder and all is good :)
Plus I can record movies off the Dish right to DVD-R or DVD-RAM
.

[STFrancis]

If there is interest here I can let you know EXACTLY how to do it EVERY time...

I actually started my own biography business here in the DFW area and have to do this quite frequently.

Biggest problems I have right now is how to get Super 8 to tape so I can work with it from there.

Oh, and the best website to read about this stuff is www.dvdrhelp.com

[webstersII]

?So if you are thinking of trying one of these devices, save your money and wait until someone finally figures out how to do it.?

I did figure it out.

About 3 years ago I bought a Dazzle DVC Video converter. It has USB I/F and I am running a Win98 450 Mhz PC. In fact, it looks alot like the Video Oh! unit from Adaptec in the WSJ article. It was abou5 $250 when I bought it.

I have converted alot of video of family events and such, it has never given me a problem. The longest video I have converted was a wedding video which was over an hour.

The max resolution is only 352x240, but this has not been a problem so far because I haven?t tried to capture any really high-res source material with it. I wish it had some more features, such as capture to MPEG-2 instead of just MPEG-1 format and it could use some better video editing s/w (video editing is a painfully slow process!), but until I have a faster computer it?s not really going to be an option to upgrade to another capture device.

[TroutStalker]

I have a digital Sony now, but what I really want to convert is older video with people who are now deceased.

[webstersII]

Will your Camcorder record from VCR source material that has macrovision encoding? I heard from someone that it would not record anything like movie clips from rented or purchased movies.

[Solson]

I have an RZ14G and more recently an RZ32G. The 32 is on sale right now at Best Buy(among other places) and is a pretty solid system. The software for recording from analog is "Click to DVD" and includes a capture card to take analog and digitize it. The Giga Pocket software allows you to take the signal from cable or satellite or antenna and bring it right on to your PC to act much like a Tivo system.

A couple of links...

http://reviews.cnet.com/Sony_VAIO_PCV_RZ16G/4505-3119_7-20449335-3.html

http://select.ssdonline.com/detail_page.cfm?ProductID=PCVRZ32G&Categoryid=1&cfid=5561088&cftoken=58021441

[txzman]

Wait a minute. They are converting video on a laptop? One good reason for their problems right there.

[TroutStalker]

Starting a business was a possible consideration when planning to do this project. I can see where there could be a demand for this type of service. Hope yours is doing well. Thank for the website recommendation.

[Solson]

Can't you input into your Sony Digital and record onto Mini-DV? From there you can take it into you desktop. That may an option...cumbersome but no additional cost.