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Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2007 6:13 pm Post subject: Getting VHS-C video onto computer

My wife bought me a JVC VHS-C camcorder and I have tried a couple of times to use the S-Video cable from the port on the camera to the S-Video port on the computer's video card with absolutly no success.
So I was wondering just how do you get a recorded tape onto the computer if the system (useing XP Pro) doesn't even acknowledge there is anything attached.
I use an ATI X1300 vid card. Is there something (like software and/or hardware) that I still need to make this work?
I was under the impression, that by useing the S-Video hookup, the camcorder would register as a TWAIN device.From there I could do a little footwork to find whatever I would need to make it work. But since the 'corder isn't even seen leaves me with a big Hmmm.
Any thoughts?

Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2007 7:10 pm Post subject:

I believe the S-Video is video output on your video card, not video in.

You would most likely need a tuner card like the AIW card from ATI, or another similar device that can accept input.

Either way, your camcorder will not be recognized as a twain device...you need some form of an encoder on your system.

Good luck!

Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2007 7:11 pm Post subject:

The s-vid port on video cards is a video out port, not video in. It will let you hook your computer up to your tv, not hook your camcorder up to your computer. I'd look around to find some things that might work for you, but I'm at my parents' place with the slowest dial up on the planet. Wink

Posted: Sat Jul 14, 2007 2:59 am Post subject:

he's already got a half decent vid card... go the cheaper route and get a TV tuner board with svid in. I personally have an ATI theater 550 pro... works great. makes VHS look even better than the 4head hi-fi it's coming from with it's 3d comb filter. nice stuff. I hear the 650 is even better though and it can do HD too.

Posted: Sat Jul 14, 2007 4:06 am Post subject:

Do a search for "USB Video capture devices" and you'll get a wide variety of solutions that will do what you need for around $50 including editing software.

If you can afford it, get rid of that VHS-C camera and buy a MiniDV camera. Even a super cheap $200 camera will run circles around your VHS-C camera and you can capture digitally directly from the camera without quality loss via a firewire (IEEE-1394) port.

Posted: Sun Jul 15, 2007 11:16 am Post subject:

Thanks for all the replies.Your input helped alot.I guess I'll be looking for a TV card to get the input capability.As for the VHS I have some videos of my son's school band competition from '06 so I'm not giving up on the 'ole 'corder just yet.Although I did see a nice Digital video recorder with 40 gig HDD,also does MP3,still shots and gives you a choice between MPG or AVI formats.Just not ready to invest $500 at this time.Still have too pay off a $4000 dentist bill.