How do I download a video onto my computer to email to someone?

Question

My company video tapes septic systems through a special camera. It is recorded onto VHS. To avoid driving 100 miles today to deliver this video, I want to know if it is at all possible to transfer the data from the VHS to the computer , and attach it in an email to send to the county. Any swift answers would be greatly appreciated!!!

Answer 1

VHS recording is analog. You need to convert to digital.

1) Connect the camera or a VHS tape player to an Analog/Digital Bridge.

2) Pinnacle makes the "Dazzle" which connects via USB; Canopus makes good ones that connect using Firewire.

3) The A/D bridge connects to the USB or Firewire port on your computer.

4) Import the video and edit. Windows has MovieMaker; Macintosh has iMovie.

Video can use a lot of space - you might not be able to email it - but you can upload it to a place like YouSendIt.com and an email will be sent to your recipient to come and download it.

Warning: Converting analog to digital will result in degraded video quality - It is suggested you investigate replacing the VHS camera with a miniDV (digital video) based or hard drive based camcorder - but that should be a different posting.