How can I transfer old home movies to my computer?

Question

I have videos on both VHS & Hi-8. I hooked my Hi-8 camera up to my computer via an S-Video cable, but unfortunately, it was only for tv-out. I can now use the Handycam as a second monitor, but that does me absolutely no good.

We have a DVD burner on the computer, and we cannot afford to buy a 2nd DVD burner for the tv right now, and I'd like to get this done soon.

Please no wisecracks by people who think they're intelligent by telling me to go buy one or wait till I can afford one or hire someone else to do it, or any other such comments. Earn your 1 point by posting inane comments somewhere else, please.

Thank you in advance to those who see there is more to life than earning Yahoo points.

Answer 1

Here's a helpful guide:
http://www.digitalvideoclub.com/basics/transfer.php

see Section 3. Analog video capturing
basically, you'll need to add an AV capture device/card to your computer.

Answer 2

Well call me a wisecracker, but you're gonna have to go out and buy something, or at least spend some money. This is why. If the S-video was only for tv-out, then theres absolutely nothing you can do, unless there are other video input ports on your computer, which I'm guessing you don't have because you wouldn't have this problem if you did. And of course, your camera is analog, so USB and Firewire are out of the question. So heres two options. Buy a capture card from any electronics store for $100 or less to DIY, or pay Wal-Mart $20 to do it for you. Depending on how many tapes you have, the capture card will be better, or vice versa. Hope this helps!

Answer 3

Wait. HOW did you hookup the S-Video? If you hooked it via a capture card or TV card you should be able to save the file. You may only need software like Movie Maker or STudio Deluxe.

You GENERALLY need a capture card with S-Video and AV (three RCA) inputs, such as those from Pinnacle and Dazzel.

Answer 4

Aside from the home-based solutions of analog to digital converters, etc. - which by the way are easy to find and easy to use, if you have a lot of tapes to convert, you might check into a commercial service.

I think Walmart offers a conversion service. Just bring them your box of tapes and you get them back along with a DVD for each.

Answer 5

Your pc will choose a dvd stress then you genuinely can acceptable click on that stress and shop to option this factors you with the alternative of the position you want to order it to then you genuinely can do what you want.