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How to convert video tape into Digital?

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by ravine12

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I have a project for work and I am not sure what device or product I need to purchase? I have regular video tapes of TV commercials that I need to convert into a digital format so that the commercials can be put into a PowerPoint Presentation and run. I would creat the presentation, convert the video taped commercial, add the commercial to the presentation then burn the whole thing to a CD to be used at any time by anyone.

I just don't know what kind of device I need to do the conversionof the video tape? Can any of you wonderfully bright people help me out with this?

Thanks,
Robin

2 replies

by guruofdos

The first method is to use a DV camcorder which has the ability to record an auxilliary video source onto the DV tape. Connect your AV source (VCR) to the DV cam and record onto the DV tape in 'VCR' mode...Sony and Samsung DV camcorders support thisfeature, many dont! Then, use FireWire to import the video digitally to the PC.

The second method is to purchase a dedicated analogue capture device. Here you have two choices - an internal PCI device or an external USB2 box. Pinnacle manufactureseveral internal cards but they tend to be pretty poor at capturing video. The FAST AVMaster2000 is the weapon of choice for professionals but since FAST was taken over by Dazzle, it has been discontinued. The Dazzle DVC150 Digital Video Creator is about the best external device. It has both YC (s-video) and CVBS (composite) video inputs as well as stereo audio and captures video directly in MPEG2 format - the codec is hardware based in the box.

The third method is to use a graphics card like the ATI Radeon-based All-In-Wonder family which have video input and output and can be used for analogue video capture.

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