If you have analog home videos, either VHS tapes or analog camcorder tapes (Hi-8, etc.), to convert into DVDs and you don't own or intend to own a digital camcorder in the near future, this article will assist you with that process. To view other options to convert analog tapes to DVDs, read How To Convert Your VHS and Analog Camcorder Tapes to DVD first.
In order to convert your analog tapes, you need to have the following:
At a high level, the process consists of playing the analog (VHS, Hi-8, etc.) tape through the VCR or analog camcorder, converting it to digital format through the digital capture device, and then storing the digital formatted video file on the computer. This file can optionally be edited using video editing software (such as Windows Movie Maker on the PC or iMovie on the Mac) and then burned onto a DVD for playing in a DVD player.
First, determine the video and audio inputs on your video capture device. A good device should have a composite and S-Video input as well as an Left/Right RCA audio input.
Next examine your VCR or analog camcorder for the outputs it supports. If you have an S-Video connection on both this device and the video capture device, you should use that video connection as it produces the best quality. Assuming S-Video, connect an S-Video cable between the two devices. Connect the white and red RCA audio jacks from the video capture device to the VCR or camcorder's audio output.
If you don't have S-Video on one end, you must use the composite (yellow RCA) connection. For this connection, use a three plug white/red/yellow RCA accessory cable available at any electronics store. Follow the color scheme (white/red/yellow) to make the connection between the two devices in this case.
Now, make the connection from the video capture device to the computer. Usually this is a USB connection. Find an open USB port on your computer and make the connection. Make sure that your computer has a USB 2.0 connection. Otherwise, it will be too slow and may not work.
Video editing software will vary in how it splits up the captured video into 'clips'. Some software will find the breaks automatically and turn them into separate clips that can be edited easier. If this is not available automatically, you may want to create your own clips as you find natural breaking points in the video tape.
Now that your clips are in the editing software, you can create a custom video to burn onto a DVD. All software has different features for creating the video, so you will have to read the user's manual or just experiment while creating the video.
In the simplest case, if you don't want to edit the video at all by adding pictures, music, etc., just drag all of the video clips in sequence to the 'filmstrip' portion of the software (usually located near the bottom of the window).
If you want to add pictures and music, all you have to do is to drag MP3s or JPGs to the same film strip area. You may have to import them into the software first, but that is usually fairly straightforward. You can also add in DVD chapters if your software supports it.
When complete, play the video in the software to see how it look. If you are satisfied with the results, go ahead and burn the DVD.
Example of PC Video Editing Software
The final step in the process is to burn the movie onto a DVD for play in your DVD player.
Insert a blank DVD into the DVD burner. Most computer recorders purchased in the last couple of years will record both DVD -R and +R formats, but individual models may vary. If using a diffent DVD player for playback, be sure it supports the format of the recordable media by looking in your DVD player user manual. For more information the types of blank DVD media available and what's right for you, read Understanding The Different Types of Recordable DVDs.
The DVD is now ready to be played in your DVD player. Enjoy!