I need to convert camcorder tapes to dvd using rca jacks. I'm at a loss finding something to do it. I don't want to have to plug them in to the back of computer. I do have pci slot available but would like to use usb2. I found a few but don't know if they work ok. I was hoping some of you geeks have done this.

If you have a Firewire port this is about the best thing out there
for the money.I have used it and it really is amazing.
http://www.adstech.com/products/API-557-EFS/intro/api557_intro.asp?pid=API-557-EFS

And this about the best price I have seen on it. They were very good to deal with.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controll...list&sku=363177

If your camcorder already has a firewire connector on it you can use WinDV (free app) to capture from your camcorder via the firewire port. Then use any .avi editing program to edit your captures....

WinDV here: http://www.videohelp.com/tools?tool=WinDV

I think his camcorder is analog.

Thats what I'm looking for Oddjob. My camcorder is digital but family has ask to convert some vhs-c, 8mm. I use the fire on my camcorder and already have WinDV but thanks anyway shoozleboy.

Whitestar,

If you already have a digital camcorder, you can use it.
Most digital camcorders have what is called "pass through" mode.

If your digital camcorder has this mode you can play out of
some other device, say an 8mm camcorder into the digital
camcorder which will convert the analog signal into a digital
signal and send it through the firewire/usb cable into your computer.

Take a look at this webpage, it should help you out.

http://www.techlore.com/article/10266/


HTH

MG

Don't have the cable for the vhs-c. Bought pryo 557 w/elements 3. Can use this for other projects.
Forgot my camcorder had that mg!!

Thanks for the help bro's.

You will love the pyro, I don't know what I woulld do with out mine.
I have dozens of analog tapes to convert.

Does the Pyro lock the audio and video signal when capturing VHS? I've seen a number of devices that "convert" from vhs to avi only to see the audio get out of sync about an hour into the video....

I have never had that happen.

It does not convert to AVI it gos analog to DV and DV to analog.
DV is a much higher quality than AVI and everything has stayed well
synced for me

Sounds like it locks the audio in then - that's a good thing.

"Audio drift" sucks when you're 90 minutes into a good vhs transfer and notice the lips on the actors look like a cheap martial arts film from the 60's.... It has something to do with the audio being processed at a slightly faster framerate then the video and after XXXXXX number of frames, it becomes more and more evident to the viewer.

They sell devices that (Time Base Correctors) that lock in the audio frames to the video frames with no drift. They are expensive. I use my 8 year old Sony HI8 camcorder as it has a TBC built in to it. It's a pretty slick set up when compared to others who went out and paid $300 for a decent TBC.

Those Hi8s have great output quality. I still have one and I am still
amazed at how well it works.