Bob S
European
Rainbow Bear
Posts: 2,052
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Post by Bob S on Jan 30, 2006 21:00:31 GMT -7
I received a very nice present for Christmas. I received a DVD, VHS player that also has the ability to copy fom one format to the other, it can also copy almost any input connected to the unit. I once heard or read that VHS tapes can deteriorate over time so, I proceeded to convert my VHS tapes to DVD. I could have used my computer to do the job but that required buying a new video card, power supply upgrade and software for the program (big bucks). The unit I received was rated by PC World as one of their top choices and the cost was about 1/3 that of converting my PC. All my VHS tapes are now on DVD and one other side benefit was a reduction in physical size and space gained. ;D
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Post by justjohn on Jan 31, 2006 6:52:39 GMT -7
Great Bob,
I am at a crossroads on this capability. I also need to record LP's to CD. I have a tone of those that have never been listened too.
Any suggestions other than the pc route?
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Post by jimpres on Jan 31, 2006 8:46:14 GMT -7
Bob,
What brand and model did you get for Christmas?
Jim
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Post by gardenmoma on Jan 31, 2006 10:26:15 GMT -7
Bob,
What did you do with the "old" VHS tapes?
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Bob S
European
Rainbow Bear
Posts: 2,052
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Post by Bob S on Jan 31, 2006 10:33:56 GMT -7
Bob, What brand and model did you get for Christmas? Jim[/quot e] Jim, I received the Samsung DVD VR325. This unit does not have a hard drive like it's higher priced sibling but it does a very good job of converting those VHS tapes to DVDs. Included with the unit was a remote control and a thick user manual that tells you all that can be done with the unit. I have yet to read and understand the whole manual but it appears that this unit can do a lot. The one thing it will not do is transfer material that is copyrighted but, I do believe that there is a work around for this little glitch. If I had gone the way of using a computer, the cost would have been over $1000 but this unit can be had for less than $400. One of the tricks that this unit can do is edit and put into chapters the content of VHS tapes. I used the Jan. 2006 issue of PC World to make up my wish list and in that issue there is a section devoted to these type of devices because they are in 2 catagories; Hard Drive and Non-Hard Drive recorders.
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Bob S
European
Rainbow Bear
Posts: 2,052
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Post by Bob S on Jan 31, 2006 10:57:32 GMT -7
Bob, What did you do with the "old" VHS tapes? I gave some of the tapes to my children and grandchildren and some of the tapes found their way to the trash can. Some people might pack them away somewhere and use them as back-ups but the objects of my operation was to make copies in case deterioration started taking place with the tapes and also to clear up some space in my cabinet. The operations went as planned and I now have freed up space and preserved my collection for future use.
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Bob S
European
Rainbow Bear
Posts: 2,052
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Post by Bob S on Jan 31, 2006 11:32:16 GMT -7
Great Bob, I am at a crossroads on this capability. I also need to record LP's to CD. I have a tone of those that have never been listened too. Any suggestions other than the pc route? I too had an LP collection and faced with the same problem. I transferred the LP's to tapes and then transferred the content of the tapes to my PC and from there I burned the music to CD's. I downloaded a free audio editing program from Audicity (the editing program that is on your PC is very thin and weak) and then I installed a Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS sound card from Creative to handle the inputs from external sources. The sound card cost was about $70 or less (can't remember the exact cost) but there is a whole lot of programs and wealth in the included software. The whole process is simple and the learning curve is very low, so you should have no problem. The address for the free program from Audicity is: audicity.sourceforg.netThe program is a free download.
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Yanc
Full Pole
Posts: 337
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Post by Yanc on Jan 31, 2006 15:00:55 GMT -7
Correct link is audicity.sourceforge.netI used a [glow=red,2,300]GoldWave[/glow] program to record my old MC to MP3. Similiar way, only the sound card was different: Sound Blaster Live 5.1. Much cheaper :-), however not manufactured anymore.
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Bob S
European
Rainbow Bear
Posts: 2,052
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Post by Bob S on Jan 31, 2006 15:24:29 GMT -7
Correct link is audicity.sourceforge.netI used a [glow=red,2,300]GoldWave[/glow] program to record my old MC to MP3. Similiar way, only the sound card was different: Sound Blaster Live 5.1. Much cheaper :-), however not manufactured anymore. Yup, you are correct on that address for the program dowmload and there may be many more different free download sites. I was checking some of the new Media PC's and even though the price has come down quite a bit, I haven't seen one with a sound card that equals the Soundblaster series for the types of inputs and outputs it has. any way, I accomplished what I wanted to and I was happy with the results. ;D
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Post by rdywenur on Feb 1, 2006 19:07:02 GMT -7
My next project. I have tapes, VHS tapes, 8 tracks, albums. All need to be made into DVD's if possible. Some good music lost on those formats since I can't play any of them in their original formats.
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Bob S
European
Rainbow Bear
Posts: 2,052
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Post by Bob S on Feb 1, 2006 22:41:30 GMT -7
My next project. I have tapes, VHS tapes, 8 tracks, albums. All need to be made into DVD's if possible. Some good music lost on those formats since I can't play any of them in their original formats. One of the reasons I decided to convert all those old albums, tapes etc. was because I heard all the dire warnings of what could happen to all the old stuff. One of the great side benefits is that a lot of room is freed up. The only set back is that the freed room is quickly filled with other "toys". LOL ;D
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