Best easy method to convert S-VHS-C to digital formats?
 

Hello All,

I have lots of S-VHS C home videos that I am trying to convert to digital. I bought a cheap copy of a USB capture (Easy cap) device with Unlead software and am a little lost as how to best use it.

I have the following questions:

1. May old camcorder is making lots of noise when playing back the tapes and the quality is bad for some ares of tape. Image with horizontal lines at top, image goes to black and white. Is this the tape? or Video camera? How can I test if the tape is working correctly?
2. What is the Best Easy way for me to digitize these tapes with minimal knowledge? I do not really want to send them off and for the cost I am willing to buy either a machine or whatever equipment is needed to accomplish this with great quality.

I am thinking about buying a second hand camcorder online to test or I saw this unit for sale http://www.amazon.co.uk/Auna-Videosa.../dp/B007Q13S4G

I obviously want the quickest, easiest way of having fantastic results [:)] Quality is the most important factor.

Thanks

dont use a easycap!! - they are total junk.
get an ATI capture card - an AIW if you are using XP or a 600USB if you are using 7.

if you want best quality ditch the camcorder and get a Panasonic AG-1980 VCR and a JVC VHS-C adapter
the AG-1980 is excellent for the compact vhs tapes
just make sure you get one that is in good working order

Thank you volksjager for your quick answer.

Will this machine work with PAL? I forgot to mention this small detail. I am also on a laptop rather than a PC. Is there other capture device that will work with a laptop? I have a HP HDX 18 model x18 1005ea with Nvida graphics card and XP 64 bit. We also have a Mac book.

Thanks again

no it wont for PAL but the Panasonic NV-FS 200 will
see Lordsmurfs' best VCR list: http://www.digitalfaq.com/forum/vide...ing-guide.html

for a laptop use an ATI 600 USB

note: it is not recommend to put the compact tapes into a JVC VCR. JVC vcr's tend to eat the compact tapes
stick with a Panasonic for compact tapes-but do use the JVC adapter

Also will it play VHS C as some of the tapes are not S VHS. Thanks

yes - they will play both VHS-C and SVHS-C

I probably am starting to be a pain now. i have seen a NICAM model, would this work with Pal?
Also will the ATI 600 USB give as good a result as the other cards?

Thanks Volksjager

no - your not a pain, happy to help
there are so many of those junk capture card on ebay.
i have tried the ION and Easycap and can tell you firsthand they are no good.

the ATI 600 USB is a good card- any better USB card will probably cost alot more
the older AIW cards are even better, but you will need an XP desktop with an AGP slot for those

i know very little about PAL - hopefully some others can chime in to help to on that front

I seem to be able to find the ATI 650 USB cheaper than the ATI 600 USB is this because it is not as good or is it just easier to find?

Thanks

ive never used a 650 and ive heard bad things about it
i know the ATI 600 is good

Both. :2cents:

In addition to the ATI 600, I use a somewhat rare Tevion USB card (sold exclusively by Aldi). It works very well in VirtualDub.
The ATI 600 has ATI CMC for MPEG-2 NYSC captures, as well as NTSC/PAL abilities in VirtualDub.

Somebody has the Tevion units on eBay for $50: http://compare.ebay.com/like/2709184...Types&var=sbar
That's the first time I've ever seen them for sale on eBay.

There's currently two ATI 600 USB cards on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...SIN=B0035BJGYW
One is $40 (used), one is $100 (new). MSRP was $99 when new.
I bought mine from Woot.com several years ago, when they had refurbs for $25 each. Amazon was $75 at the time.