Transferring videos from VCR/Projector to computer and building a slide show

[GreenLantern]

My Dad and his friends have been going to the same campground for fourty years, and all of us kids want to build a big slide show for them to celebrate.

We have VHS tapes and the old projector style reels of footage and I need to get it on to my computer to then go through it and edit out what we don't need for the slide show.

So far I have hunted this down:

http://ncix.com/products/?sku=27886&...d&promoid=1311

Capture videos with the touch of a button. The One Touch video Capture VC500 captures video and audio from amost any device. Capture content from VCRs, Camcorders, DVD players, or any device supporting video output through an S-Video or composite RCA connection.

http://ncix.com/products/?sku=71655&...nufacture=SIIG


So that should work good for my VHS tapes, but what I don't have is a working projector. And once I track one down, a method of transffering it on to my computer. This is where CP comes in..

The last part also is building the actual slide show, any recommendations for software that is great to use for editing video/pictures (enhancing resolution would be a big thing). We plan to have this spread out on a 10+ foot screen using a projector.

[Jacks]

Not sure about their pricing but these guys can convert VHS or film to DVD.
http://www.mdicanada.net/index.htm

[Raekwon]

http://www.staples.ca/en/Innovative-...5_2-CA_1_20001

Edit: Not what you are looking for actually, only converts to JPEG

[getbak]

For the film conversion, it will probably be easier to just find a company that does that than try to find the hardware and convert it yourself. Ideally, you want one that will give you the videos in a digital format ready for editing (like AVI, MPEG, or MOV) rather than on a playable DVD, which you'd then need to rip to edit.

As for the software, to be honest, the Movie Maker program that comes with Windows (or iMovie on a Mac) are both good basic video editors. There are programs out there that you can spend money on (Sony Vegas and Adobe Premiere both have cheaper "home" versions as well as more expensive "pro" versions), but the freebies can do all the basics, which is all you'll probably need.

[Derek Sutton]

Costco???

My Aunt got all the family's old 8mm tapes put on to DVD's there. If they can do 8mm, they should be able to do VCR and slides

EDIT: found something

http://www.costcodvd.com/FAQ_support.aspx

They can do VHS and 35mm slides

[GreenLantern]

Perfect thanks guys for the help. It appears that Wal-Mart has the same service.. seems to cost a bit more than I would have wanted so I think I will do the VHS myself. Good to know that the option is there for the reels though.

I did a lot of searching and the best alternative seems to be playing the reel on to a smaller screen then recording with a digital device.

[totti_07]

Let us know which product you use to do the VHS. I am looking for something as well.

[totti_07]

FYI...I picked this product up at Memory Express on Friday:

http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX45629

I am in the process of transferring the first video over and it seems to be working great. $20 and I was able to pick it up locally

[Ironhorse]

Bump. Need to convert some VHS tapes to computer based format. What are the current recommendations?

[taffeyb]

I used Honestech to convert my Digital 8's on my Sony Camcorder.

Loaded the DVD program, plugged my Camcorder into the Honestech box using the red/yellow/white cords and then a USB to my PC. Push "play" and then it recorded into VOB (MPEG) file.

The only downside is that you playing the entire length of the tape. Much like the old school DVD to cassette recordings.

Other than that, pretty seamless.

http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/product/.../10250661.aspx

[Ironhorse]

unfortunately, we no longer have the capability to plug the camcorders in, so are looking for someone who can do a full turnaround.

[taffeyb]

You mentioned VHS tapes. All you need is a VCR player with either an S-Video or the Yellow/White/Red outputs. Play the VHS tapes and record on your PC.

[Ironhorse]

Thanks for the idea. The VCR still works, but I'm not sure about the video recorder. Will give that a try.

[Circa89]

I am in the process of converting old VHS over to DVD as well. However I have a bunch of old VHS-C movies and the camcorder won't work anymore. Any idea where I can find the VHS-C adapter tape? I have ruled out: the source, best buy, a few pawn shops, princess auto, Bianca Amors...