How to convert 50 videos to hard drive formats?
 

Hello LordSmurf, I just just created a new account here at <redacted> but I've been trying to sort through the forums and the how to articles for about a week. I'm having a tough time and cannot seem to figure out what I need to do. I've seen that you have a great knowledge of the technology surrounding videos, so I thought I would ask you for some assistance. I hope you don't mind.

My goal is to take my 20 home video VHS tapes and 30 Hi8 analog home video tapes and convert them to a video on my hard drive. I know it is very popular to convert them to DVDs however I would like to convert them to digital files (something like .avi or such) that I can edit or use to complie a custom home video DVD later down the road. To capture my analog video I know I can get a capture device by manufactures like Pinnacle or Canopus (I don't know if these are any good or not). Or also by using a digital camcorder by means of a passthrough. But I don't know which is better for quailty of the video. I could never find a direct comparison. I'm okay spending up to $400-500. But perfer to save money if I can. I've seen lots of talk about using a digital camcored as a pasthrough but those threads all seem to be years old. I couldn't find any example of a modern HD mpeg4/H.264 camera being used to do this.

Here is what I already have:
- Windows 7 64 bit PC, AMD dual 3.0GHz CPU, 2GB ram, 1TB Hard Drive, decent video card, USB 2.0 and Firewire input.
- Panasonic DMR-EZ47V
- Hauppauge Win TV-HRV-1600 Model 1199
- Panasonic PV-GS31 (MiniDV) <-- Doesn't allow for passthrough
- Sony TR940 (Hi8)

Thank you for your time!!!
Adam

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