Can you use an S video cable to connect a VCR to a computer?

Question

Can you use an S video cable to connect a VCR to a computer? And could somebody please explain to me a bit about the s video cable and what it can do when its connected to a computer. My computer has an s video cable port in the back but i dont know much about it. Thanx!

Answer 1

Okay, first, does your VCR have an S-video connector? Only good ones from the late 80's on sport one, sadly. If it doesn't, just use standard composite. S-video provides color seperation for better video quality, but VHS material looks marginal enough, especially in EP mode or when made with dirty heads, that it doesn't matter too much. If your VCR has S-video, make sure your computer's is for input and not analog TV-out display. If you don't have S-video in, drop a few bucks on a Taiwanese video capture PC card- spend more if image quality matters. Even the worst will have both composite and S-video in. Such a card will allow you to import VHS video and edit or view it as you see fit. I use mine to view VHS on my LCD monitor, but you can bring the video into something like Premiere, too.