Does anyone know if it's possible to take something you have on VHS and make it into something you can edit, save / record, and play on a laptop. (without spending a trillion dollars!)

And if so how?


Also whilst I hav your attention - does anyone know how to convert an PAL tape to NTSC (or rather vice versa - but I'm guessing most of you would want to do it that way round)

Thanks


Matt

: Does anyone know if it's possible to take something you have on VHS
: and make it into something you can edit, save / record, and play on a
: laptop. (without spending a trillion dollars!)

Of course. I'll do it for only $800 billion.

(Ba dum bum.)

The easiest method: If you have access to a miniDV or Digital 8 video camera, you should be able to record from a VCR to a miniDV/Digital 8 tape, and from there you should be able to use a FireWire cable to transfer it from the camera to the laptop/desktop. Otherwise, there are a number of companies that will transfer it to a DVD-R or a VCD for about $20, assuming your tape isn't longer than about an hour. I can give you recommendations upon request.

: [D]oes anyone know how to convert an PAL tape to NTSC (or rather
: vice versa - but I'm guessing most of you would want to do it that way
: round)[?]

There's no good way to do it yourself, but again, there are a number of video places that will transfer it for about $20.

Dale

Just to give you the competitive edge I will bid on the job for $575 billion.

No other comments. Prins answered the rest with perfect accuracy!

Duh yeah - I should have thought of that :oops: - Thanks for showing me the light Dale :idea: . There's a few transatlantic technology variations to take account of but otherwise I'll give that a try.

As for the NTSC thing...I was knew that some places converted stuff, I just wondered if anyone knew how they did it so I could do it myself rather than pay the quite extortionate £13.33 per hour. It can't be that tricky can it?

Matt

You may be able to find a multi-format deck that will play both NTSC and PAL, and perhaps you could record from that onto a second machine (unless the program is copy-protected).