From TV to computer?

[SusanaDalia]

I know this would ordinarily be posted in random chat or somewhere else but because of the circumstances here goes. How do you guys get stuff that you have recorded off VCR to the computer? What is necessary to do this? Also, is there a way to get it directly from the tv itself to the computer?

[Heather]

What I do (like for the today show clip), is get it from my vcr to my digital camcorder, and then onto the computer. I just connect the camcorder to the VCR using the cables that tend to come with both the camcorder and VCR, and hit record on the camcorder. Then I hook up my camcorder to my computer using a firewire cable. Then I use Windows Movie Maker to capture the video. Then I edit, etc.

You need a firewire port on your computer to hook up the camcorder to the computer as I mentioned. I didn't have this on my old computer, so I couldn't do it.

I also have the capability now to tape directly off the tv tuner on my computer (I'm addicted to it now.) For that you need the right video card and a tv tuner on the computer. Once you have it, it's really easy to cap any show you want. :)

[SusanaDalia]

Thanks Heather!! Another question though, what does the firewire port look like on a computer? I just got a new laptop and I am hoping it has everything I need to be able to do what you guys are able to.

[Heather]

I found this link:
img1.grafika.cz/grafika/i...ard_01.jpg (http://img1.grafika.cz/grafika/images/fw_card_01.jpg)

It's the one in the middle. :) Here's another picture:
www.tigerdirect.com/image...e-port.jpg (http://www.tigerdirect.com/images/itemdetails/desktop-cables/firewire-port.jpg)

BTW, another name for firewire is IEEE-1394. It's usually around the USBs.

You can always have a firewire port installed, though on a laptop it might be harder.

[SusanaDalia]

Thanks Heather I will look into what you have helped me with.

[tongueincheek]

Thanks from me as well, Heather. :)

[Heather]

No problem. :) And if you have any other questions, let me know. (And thanks to mkjsdp for helping *me* out with all of this when I first started ;) )

[uncchristine99]

I use my brother's digitizing program. I think it's an S-video input. Well, he hooks up his hard drive to the TV and plays the VHS. The program captures it it real-time. It's really easy! I've actually been digitizing a lot of my skating tapes and am now just looking for some appropriate webspace.

[SusanaDalia]

Thanks for the info everyone.