Hi William,

As was already mentioned, some DV camcorders (Canon for example), support
pass through digitization of an analog input. Some don't. I bought a Canon
(ZR60) over a couple other brands specifically because of this feature.

If you don't have a such a camcorder, and are not inclined to purchase one,
the other solution is to purchase an analog video capture device. There are
a number of them. Some are plug-in PC cards (ATI makes a couple), there are
USB based modules (you probably want one that is USB 2.0, and requires a USB
2.0 port on your computer to be able to get the full stream without loss)
and firewire (IEEE 1394). ATI also makes a well known line of video cards
with built-in TV tuner and capture, called the All In Wonder series. I
personally have an ATI Radeon All In Wondoer 9600XT, and it works very well
for me. It supports capturing from cable TV, composite, and S-Video.

Just make sure that what you get will do what you want, some of the really
cheap capture solutions (particularly USB 1.x based) won't capture in a
format compatible for making a DVD. The makers of Pinnacle Studio make a
package with the SW and a capture card for about $100 (retail), that might
be an option for you.

Russ Poffenberger
[log in to unmask] 

-----Original Message-----
From: PCBUILD - Personal Computer Hardware discussion List
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of William Hornkohl
Sent: Saturday, December 11, 2004 7:06 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [PCBUILD] vhs to dvd


Is there a way to transfer VHS movies to dvd's. I assume they are not
digital vhs tapes. I have some old home movies that I'd like to make a copy
that will last. I have seen places where they will do it for a price if I
drop the tapes off. I just thought it might be a good excuse to buy myself a
new toy for Christmas and do it myself if there was such a thing.

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