Hi-8 to DVD

[mbr]

What's the best way to convert analog tapes to digital (and then to DVD)? I also have a few old Betamax tapes that I need converted.

I've been told that I need something like Dazzle's products and software. Does anyone know the best (and cheapest) way to get it onto the computer?

Thanks.

[dwright]

I will go from analog to DV and them mpeg2 for DVD mastering, I had done it for all my old works (you can view them on www.dwright.info)

 

Converting a DV stream into mpeg2 for DVD works fine.

 

best regards,

 

David

[bigcahunak]

Originally posted by dwright:

I will go from analog to DV and them mpeg2 for DVD mastering, I had done it for all my old works (you can view them on www.dwright.info)

 

Converting a DV stream into mpeg2 for DVD works fine.

 

best regards,

 

David

Good tip, but what is your process of each one of the steps? Hardware? Software?

[mbr]

Yes, I would like to understand the hardware/software, etc.

But my problem is that the Hi-8 is analog and needs to be converted to digital to be able to burn it.

If anyone knows how, I'd appreciate the tips.

Thanks.

[dwright]

You can get or ask for a Digital8 camera. they read Analog Hi8, but the best part is that the encode to digital via firewire. So in other words, press play and capture from your computer. Then, using mostly any home based or semipro DVD mastering software you can convert the QT/DV Stream into MPEG2. Most of them do this automatically, if you want a pro tool, get Ligos Mpeg encoder for premiere.

[mbr]

dwright,

 

Thanks, that sounds perfect. I'll look into buying one used, or renting.

 

Any ideas how to transfer ancient Betamax tapes to digital?

[dwright]

Hi there,

 

Connect the video out of your Betamax or SuperBetamax (if you have one) to the D8 camera and record it (D8 does not let you record to analog, only playback), then transfer the stream to your computer (D8 streams are the same as DV streams)

 

The only problem is that if you transfer long footage to D8, more than 15min of video at once, your audio will be a bit out of sync by 1 or 2 frames... so just keep each session short (5~10min)

 

Regards,

[mbr]

dwright,

 

Thanks again, priceless info. Do you know if it is possible to connect the Betamax to a DV Cam and record (instead of the D8)? I have access to one. And would it be possible to play the Hi8 through the DV Cam and record, thereby bypassing the D8 all together?

I have access to the original Betamax, Hi8 camera, and a newer DV Cam, would it still be best to use the D8? Or do you know about any converters?

Thanks again.

[Christopher Nichols]

I would look at getting a good + cheap Video capture system and go from there.

 

The new Graphics cards come with what they call, VIVO... which is Video In / Video Out some/most of those come with compression software that will can do Mpeg2 compression on the fly... I think this one does:

 

http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=M&Product_Code=190819&Category_Code=VC-GW

 

For sure this one does:

 

http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=M&Product_Code=190646

 

Looking at Pricewatch... Vid/cap mpeg2 cards or USB solutions that are not in your AGP slot run anywhere from 170 to 250 and up...

 

With that, I would plug into the svideo slot and capture away...

[dwright]

Nichols suggestion is also a good one, but I was afraid to recommend a card since most of them do drop-out video (drop frames) even that they are hardware based. The other reason is that some record to non-D1 standard (some record to NTSC 640x480 rather than 720). At last, those that don’t have audio inputs, and rely on you audio card, and if so, you will have the following problem: common audio cards, including expensive Creative cards do not play audio at 29.97 fps (NTSC frame rate), they treat the audio stream as 30fps or other rates. So you might expect out of sync audio for clips longer than 10 minutes do to the difference.

 

I am sure there are cards that solve this problem, but find out. D8 and consumer level DV have no audio sync, even that they are digital, so you could also expect out of sync audio by a frame or so (just in some cases) Only semipro DV cameras and all DV based decks do have this sync enabled.

 

I personally use a pro editing suite for all of our work (DPS Q ), but had done experiments with D8 and DV. And had successfully transfer lots of my old work to mpeg2 via D8 with no frame drop out.

 

Betamax and SBetamax are lake VHS and SVHS (SVHS is better) and do have standard video outputs, the latest ones (betamax) in the 80's did have Svideo outputs. Many DV cameras do not have video inputs, some do, but some don’t. In the other hand, all D8 do have a analog-to-DV converter built in.

 

Nichols suggestion is good, but I personally stay away from cheap mpeg2 video cards, but for your particular reason, converting old tapes, I agree, it could be good since I expect your old tapes quality will not be perfect.

[dwright]

BTW, I was talking about low level /under 300 cards... 700+ capture cards do not drop frames..

 

David

[Christopher Nichols]

Personally... I have not had any frame dropping problems unless I have a slow machine and a slow computer (with a slow HD)...

 

This looks like it may be a great product fro you. Pinnacle makes great systems... If you are doing to spend $700... I would first try this $129 system and see if it works for you.

 

Look at these:

 

http://www.pinnaclesys.com/ProductPage.asp?Product_ID=577&Langue_ID=7

 

You have the $129 for AV for analogue, and you have the $299 Deluxe for Digital and analogue.

 

The only thing missing is component video I/O which your beta may have.

 

I have always thought Pinnacle was pretty good.