How full is your C drive.

[spamcan61]

I have two, an ancient Pinnacle DVC100:-

 

http://www.amazon.co...0/dp/B000HEZ6RQ

 

And a recently acquired 'no name' one with somewhat higher resolution, much the same as this:-

 

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item27bf1fb804

 

or:-

 

http://www.ebuyer.co...ftware-ezcap108

 

In both cases I tend to use them directly with WMM or Nero rather than the supplied software.

 

Both these devices require 3GHz P4 upwards as they rely on the PC for the majority of the number crunching. Doubtless high performance/more flexible/more expensive options are available.

 

As Ian J says Pinnacle have been an established player in this area for years, so they're a low risk purchase IMHO.

 

In terms of editing software a domestic Windows install from XP onwards will almost certainly have Windows Movie Maker somewhere on the HDD already, if not it can be downloaded for free from MS:-

 

XP version (via Tucows) EDIT:note the XP version doesn't include direct capability to create a DVD

 

http://www.tucows.com/preview/753874

 

Vista Version:-

 

http://www.microsoft...ails.aspx?id=34

 

Fancy 2011 'Live' version:-

 

http://explore.live....ive-movie-maker

 

It ain't Adobe Premier but it's free and does enough for me.

[skipepsi]

Thanks for the information, given my financial status a speculative punt at about £7 seems most likely.

[spamcan61]

I'm pretty sure this is the one I actually bought, marginally dearer than some but does appear to include basic software to burn to DVD. I've had mine working on XP, Vista and Win7 32bit.

 

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item5890806cc8

 

or:-

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/EasyCAP-DC60-USB-2-0-Audio-Video-Capture-Card-Great-PS3-XBOX-360-UK-/260891648173?pt=UK_Computing_Computer_Components_Graphics_Video_TV_Cards_TW&hash=item3cbe5aa0ad

[250BOB]

At a slight tangent how do you convert VHS to digital, it sounds like there are options to suit older computers 3 years plus and newer computers. Is it feasable to use a laptop or is that just asking for overheating?

Hi Mick,

A month or so ago I bought a Panasonic DMR-EZ49V unit. Put the VHS tape in one side, a DVD in the other, read the instructions and off you. I have done about 8 of my tapes so far...still a lot to go though. The unit costs around £250......it does the conversion for, and when I'm done, I will have a VHS player / recorder, and also a DVD player/recorder.

When I have copied the tape to the dvd, I put the dvd into my computer, and drop the film down onto my separate freecom hard drive, as a backup copy.

And thats when I started this thread, cos my computer hard drive was filling up fast, hence the fact I use the external hard drive to store my films.

 

If I want to make further copies of my tapes, I have two option, do another tape to dvd copy, but that takes a long time, as long as the vhs tape is, and a lot of mine are 4 hours........or, I can burn another copy using my laptop......but I notice then that my computer does start warming up, it must be working hard, but it works.

Bob

[Guest dilbert]

........or, I can burn another copy using my laptop......but I notice then that my computer does start warming up, it must be working hard, but it works.

 

If the 'warming up' equates to the smell of something burning with your computer, then you will most probably have a power supply problem to the unit. The harder you work the cpu (and eventually the graphics card), the higher the temperature - the internal fan(s)/cooling system shouldn't be an issue for a DVD to disk copy.. dilbert

[Ian J.]

If it's warming more than it did when it was new, then dust build up could be blocking the airways to the cooling fan and heatsink inside. Before it breaks down, switch it off, unplug from the mains, take the cover off and hoover out any dust you see, being careful not to allow any build up of static electricity! If in doubt, get an experienced person to do the clean out for you.

[250BOB]

Its the exhaust air that seems hotter when its working hard.

Bob

[spamcan61]

Its the exhaust air that seems hotter when its working hard.

Bob

 

The processor dissipates significantly more power and hence heat when it's working hard, so the exhaust air will heat up considerably. As Ian J. says it wants a gentle go over with a vacuum cleaner, particularly the processor heatsink.

[spamcan61]

On the subject of external storage Ebuyer have a 2TB network drive for 100 quid at the moment, cheap at the best of times, particularly now:-

 

http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/zyxel-nsa310-2tb-1x-2tb-nas-drive-98-98-ebuyer-free-delivery-1065205?page=1

 

OTT for those with 1 PC to back up, but if you've got two or three it makes things easier to have a proper networked drive IMHO.