Convert analogue videos into DVDs

Hi-band and quality
As well as ensuring that, if possible, you capture from the original tape, there are other things you can do at the capture stage to ensure the best possible result.

If your analogue camcorder was a hi-band model (Sony Hi-8 or S-VHS-C) you should connect it to the capture device using the S-video output on the camcorder, or on your S-VHS VCR.

S-video, which separates the analogue colour and luminance signals, will produce a cleaner result, so if an S-video output is available make sure you use it.

You’ll need an S-video cable, which you can pick up for about £10, and you’ll also need to ensure your capture device has an S-video-in port.

However, S-video doesn’t carry audio signals so you also need to connect the audio output of your player to the left and right stereo audio-in ports on the capture device using standard red and white phono leads.

Capture hardware
What kind of capture device you opt for will depend on your existing setup, which may already have a perfectly adequate capture device lurking within it. The first thing to check is your graphics card.

If it includes an integrated TV tuner or was designed for video editing, it may be capable of analogue video capture – check the documentation and look for video-in ports.

If you’ve replaced your analogue camcorder with a DV model, check to see if it has an analogue-in port. If it has, you can use it as a capture device by connecting your analogue player to it and recording the signal in DV format onto the tape.

From there you can perform routine DV capture of the footage to your PC, via USB or Firewire.

If you own an HD or DVD recorder, this too can be used to capture footage from your analogue camcorder or VCR. These devices capture and record digital video in Mpeg-2 format, either to an internal hard disk or a recordable DVD.

If you don’t want to edit the captured footage, a DVD recorder is all you need to archive analogue video in a format that you, and anyone else with a DVD player, can watch for many years to come.

If you’re thinking of purchasing a PVR (personal video recorder) for this, make sure it has the analogue inputs, eg S-video, that you need. Most PVRs that don’t have DVD burners also lack analogue video inputs.

If you need to buy a capture device, there are numerous options, including those we’ve already mentioned. The cheapest and most convenient are USB capture boxes.

These are small, easy to install and often include video capture and editing software, although they will work with any capture or editing software. See the attached Pdf table for details.