Selective clips from VHS or DVD

[Denver Dave]

I have some client VHS tapes that play on a TV / VCR. How would I go about catching short clips to include in web site video?

Can the output from a VCR be directed to a PC? What additional equipment would be needed?

[Jonathan_B]

Hi.
You need a video capture card.
We recommend Osprey from Viewcast which is what we use.
jb

[Denver Dave]

Thanks for the starting point. Boy, what a hard to use web site for comparisons. I did finally find this page: http://store.viewcast.com/dr/v2/ec_M...P=0&CACHE_ID=0

I'm not sure whether to do the 100 or 210. I do want both audio and video, but I'm definitely low-end.
==================
I received these helpful links in a very timely manner from Mark Fears of ViewCast:

http://www.viewcast.com/products/osp...son_chart.html

http://www.viewcast.com/products/osp...son_chart.html

[Jonathan_B]

Hi.
I think we got the 210.
Whatever card you get make sure it has synchronized video and audio inputs on one card (much better for audio sync).
jb

[Denver Dave]

I wonder what the trade-offs with a product line like Dazzle from PinnacleSys.com would be:
http://pinnaclesys.com/Products.asp?Langue_ID=7

The Dazzle90 says hardware encoding, but I don't see how it could be since there is no card provided. (about $79)

Anyone here try Dazzle ?

[Denver Dave]

Update: I did try the Dazzle 90 ( www.pinnaclesys.com/ ) pproach because it was cheaper and I have never edited video or generated revenue from this approach. This apprach uses a connector for input plugins that connects to a USB 2 port. Not really sure the advantages of the 90 over the 80, but I went for the 90.

My test was successful - I was able to pull a video clip from the VHS tape on the VCR. The quality seemed fine and perhaps better than the tape before I optimized image quality down to reduce the file size.

I can't compare the editing software since I have not used anything else, but I suspect that other products may be more powerfull including full version of Pinnacle Studio Quickstart. Most of the advanced enhancements that are included have not seemed that use useful, but I'm just starting.

Interesting to know the advantages of the plug-in card approach of other products vs. the USB approach for Dazzle 90.

Interested in sharing observations and insights with others capturing Video from VHS / DVD to PC and then optimizing it for website presentation.