VCR tape to digital file

[wolfe70]

VCR tape to digital file

I have a friend who has a 5 minute thing on a VCR tape that he would like to e-mail a friend rather than sending a duplicate tape.

Is there a way to convert w/o special equipment or cards?

[fink]

Unfortunately not. You'd need a video capture card to get the data onto the computer... price range from 50 to hundreds of dollars... Usually around 125+ for something worthwhile.

ATI makes many models.

Other options would be to use a video transfer service.. look in the yellow pages ( a short one off transfer to CD would probably be cheaper than buying a new card) or ask your/his friends if they have a PC with a video capture card and you could bring the tape over to them.

[wolfe70]

Had a suggestion to play the tape on the TV and record on my mini camcorder. Does that sound like it would work?

[fink]

Same problem... you'd need to transfer the film to a PC via a capture card. It doesn't matter if it's played back from a VCR or by the mini Camcorder the PC still needs some way of "seeing" the picture/movie.

There are some newer more esoteric Cameras that record directly onto disks in various computer ready formats but anything that records onto tape (mini or otherwise) will need a capture card.

[Welshjim]

Wolfe70--I recently had a local store that transfers just about every format to any other format do VHS to DVD for $25 for one DVD. It would have been a few dollars cheaper if I had chosen transfer to a CD.
You should find such stores in the Yellow Pages. Or ask local musicians.

[wolfe70]

Can I capture thru Windows Movie Maker using my camcorder with the USB connection once I have it on the camera from the tape, yes, maybe?

[Welshjim]

wolfe70--

Had a suggestion to play the tape on the TV and record on my mini camcorder. Does that sound like it would work?

I would expect the quality of the image would not be too good, and, if the TV screen is a CRT, the refresh rate might cause problems, but I guess you have nothing to lose by trying.

[Ridgerunr]

The Mpeg that would be taken from a VHS tape 'or' camcorder would be Mpg1. To be decent for DVD it should be Mpg2. Once again,this conversion would need to be done by way of a capture card and it's software. Mpg1 would be ok for VCD however...

[wolfe70]

Thanks for the input. He's going to send the VCR tape via the mail.