On Aug 17 16:06:05, Peter Kay - Syllopsium wrote: >> From: "Jan Stary" <h...@stare.cz> >> I need to transfer some old VHS tapes into (any) digital video format. >> On OpenBSD of course. I understand I need >> >> (1) a VCR, obviously, to play those tapes >> (2) a TV card that can input what the VCR outputs >> (3) a piece of software that can capture the input >> >> Before I start shopping 80's style, does anyone have some general >> DO/DONT advice about (2) and (3), or even a complete working solution? > I wouldn't start from there. Video capture isn't exactly my area, but my > solution would be : > > If it's only a couple of tapes - get someone else to do it. If it's old > episodes of TV programmes - buy it on DVD/Bluray instead.
I wouldn't even consider converting something that is readily available in digital form. The analog VHS material is not available elsewhere, and is slowly deteriorating on these tapes. > Otherwise : > > 1) Find decent hardware (not TV cards) that can capture compressed video > in real time (2nd hand ebay may help). You mean UNcompressed, right? > In particular, my (limited) experience is that video capture on TV cards > is A Bit Shit, and capturing uncompressed video is not fun, even if > modern hardware is probably adequate to handle it. After consulting other video people, I will use a digital video camera that can take analog input from a VCR and save it.
