What kind of equipment would be required to turn VHS tapes into a format I could edit on my pc?

Question

I have Adobe Premiere Elements and the entire Adobe Creature Suite (including Primiere Pro).

My mom has a bunch of old family videos that I would like to burn to DVD before they become unplayable.

I have a DVD recorder/player for my TV that I could just copy the VHS straight to, but I would prefer to turn the VHS into editable files for my PC so I can clean them up and add menus.

Can I simply record the VHS to DVD, then pull the files from the DVD to edit in my PC?

Answer 1

You may use the best software I have seen AVS Video Tools. It can convert to/from all key format, upload video or DVD directly to key portables like iPod, Sony PSP, Archos, Zen Creative, and mobiles.

It can capture video from DV or webcams, TV tuners, DVB-T, DVB-S, transfer VHS tapes to DVD, remove commercials, edit video, copy and burn DVDs and video files: AVI (DivX, XviD, etc.), MP4, WMV, 3GP, 3G2, QuickTime (MOV, QT), SWF, DVD, VOB, VRO, MPEG 1,2,4, MPG, DAT, VCD, SVCD, ASF, H.263, H.264, RM, DVR-MS.

There is the free download link:

http://www.dvdtoipod.us/dvdvideoconverte...

Answer 2

You can do this.  You can also buy a capture device like the Dazzle to go from VHS to PC.  Canopus is another company that makes these devices.  They generally start around $100, though.

Answer 3

>Can I simply record the VHS to DVD, then pull the files from the DVD to edit in my PC?

Yes, that's probably the only easy way to do it. Otherwise you're going to have to buy a VHS tape deck that can connect to your pc (which are pricey).

What I am worried about though with burning to DVD is that sometimes those recording features will put on secure lock once you're verifying the DVD, making it impossible to rip.

Answer 4

you would have to rip the files from the dvd so that they are avi or mpeg files. if you just copy them straight from the dvd they may not work very well.

Answer 5

What I would do is rip them onto the dvd like you said. Then use whatever program you wish to rip it from there and you should be able to add them to your nice Adobe collection. I never have done this but then again I don't own any vhs's or a dvd recorder, lol.