|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,726
Veteran
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,726 |
Based upon personal experience . . . Would anyone reccomend any software or source that I can use to convert old VHS tapes to DVDs?
Thanks!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,677
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,677 |
Best bang-fo-buck I found a couple years ago was DVDExpress DX2 Worked great in XP, haven't tried it in Win 7. Extremely easy to use. Play Video into convertor box; box sends USB video/audio signal to computer. Saves as mpeg2 (If I remember correctly). It does require the VHS player to have video out and audio out ports (yellow/red/white). Any device with these outputs can be used, including TV, camera, etc. The DVDExpress just converts to mpeg at proper frame rate. It's 8mm I'm struggling with!  Can't seem to find a player with video/audio outs. Trying to film the projector screen (with digital camera) loses a lot, no matter what settings I try.
Last edited by rharv; 02/26/12 03:46 PM.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 7,258
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 7,258 |
Have a look on Amazon Danny, chew through the reviews and go for what your budget allows.
The easiest way though maybe not the cheapest is to get a VHS / DVD recorder.
Not that expensive either. That way just bung in the tape & record direct to DVD !
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 3,371
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 3,371 |
rharv - the only way you're going to get better results with 8mm is with a professional tele-cine machine. These focus the image onto a CCD cell and output the result as VHS quality analogue which can be fed into your DVD Express. Unfortunately, they're not cheap.
ROG.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,726
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,726 |
Thanks guys . . . I think I have decided to get the Toshiba DVR620 - DVDr/ VCR combo I'll let you know how it works out. Thanks again,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,449
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,449 |
Danny,
Just be a litle careful; I recently got caught when buying a DVD/VCR for my mother in law. Althought it says VCR (video casette RECORDER) it was actualy only a video PLAYER, and a DVD recorder.
I understand that you just wish to copy tapes to DVD, but if you need to record video, look carefully at the specs.
Cheers,
Keith
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,726
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,726 |
Keith,
Thanks for the heads up I will check the checker upon your advice.
Thanks man!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913 |
@rharv,
How about video cameras? My Sony 8mm handheld that I purchased around 1994 had a stereo mic, and it has a port on the side that has composite R/L/Video that is switchable between an input and an output. The model number is: CCD FX620
I didn't see any of these for sale on eBay. Mine is still functional, and yes, I should convert our tapes over - which I have yet to do.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 65
Enthusiast
|
|
Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 65 |
Even better than 8mm camcorders, I believe all Sony Digital8 camcorders are backwards compatible with Hi8 and standard 8mm videotapes and these camcorders automatically convert the older formats to digital and can send the video to your computer (usually via Firewire). I've been doing this for awhile, but I'm not sure if Sony is still selling new Digital8 cameras. Good luck.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,677
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,677 |
I doubt a handheld camera is going to play these ancient reels. They are not in cassette form, but actual reels with tape that is degrading over the years. One of the reels is about 10" diameter compiled of many smaller tapes from back in the day.
So far I have been able to set up the digital camera and record them, but you end up with the 'flutter' from frame speeds not matching. They never will since the tape speed is varying all the time and using a mechanical motor to move the tape. It's better than nothing and has preserved a couple tapes that ran for their last time as I recorded them. One of them has a guy walking in the background with an ice pick and a block of ice, heading to the house.. I'm guessing some of these are 60 - 70 year old tapes.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 191
Apprentice
|
|
Apprentice
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 191 |
Hi rharv,
FWIW, my brother in law had some 8mm tape on reels and he took them to a tape shop that had the proper equipment to convert and transfer to DVD. He was really happy with them, might be worth looking into.
All the best
yjoh
[i]Music...a joy for life.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 8,987
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 8,987 |
If you don't expect to be transferring a bunch in the future, the cheapest route would be to have it professionally transferred. If you are talking your entire VHS collection then perhaps buying a machine would be prudent.
I had a terrible experience with a Phillips/Sylvania unit (all North American Phillips units are/were made by Symphonic/Funai. My service experience has been atrocious with them. Caveat emptor!
Just my dux loonies.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 22
Enthusiast
|
|
Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 22 |
Looks like I'm a little late to the thread. You didn't mention if you're on a PC or Mac. There is a cheap solution that provides excellent results for home use. The Hauppauge 1196 WinTV-HVR-1250 PCI-E x1 TV Tuner 1196 PCI board for $65 on Amazon. You can usually find better deals elsewhere. This device can take basically any analog signal and turn it into an .avi file. Then you can use something like Nero to convert from .avi to a DVD. This also works with turntable audio, but you'll need to strip the blank video signal off of it. Newer versions of RealPlayer have built in converters for this sort of thing.
Good Luck
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 75
Enthusiast
|
|
Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 75 |
Hello,
I own 2 VHS lessons from Robben Ford. I've tried to turn it on DVD but it seems to be protected against copying.
Has anyone a solution?
Thanks for your help.
François
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 3,371
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 3,371 |
Francois.
Hacking anything which is copy-protected is technically illegal, even if it's for your own use, so you may find people are reluctant to go public about how to do it.
ROG.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 11 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
XPro Styles PAK 11 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 (and higher) is here with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 31 RealTracks/RealDrums!
Guess who’s back again? That’s right! It’s our XPro Styles PAK’s triumphant return with the 11th edition in this series! 100 new styles are coming your way spread across the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres. And this edition's wildcard genre explores the immense and far-reaching catalogue of electronic music! The included 31 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1-11 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 11 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2026 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 22 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2026 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
It’s time to celebrate! Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Band-in-a-Box® is here, and we've got 200 brand-new styles coming your way!
No Xtra Styles PAK is complete without the classic rock & pop, jazz, and country volumes you know and love, and we’ve got plenty to share, with 150 styles spread across too many genres to list! Of course, it also wouldn’t be complete with our special wildcard volume to add a little spice and pizzazz to the mix. This year, because we loved it so much the first time, we’ve decided to make the second iteration of our SynthMaster volume, full of new sounds, interesting genres, and 50 engaging styles, all making use of the diverse SynthMaster plugin! Here you can find genres such as airy yacht rock, sultry electrotango, and even some synth soca funk. Don’t wait, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 22 today!
In this PAK you can find: dulcet folk ballads, funky gospel country, Brazilian jazz fusion, upbeat 1980s pop, classic Americana, a plethora of breezy bossa novas, indie singer-songwriter, scintillating synthwave, exuberant electronica, and many, many more!
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1-22 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 22 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 22.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 22 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 22 requires the 2026 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 11 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
XPro Styles PAK 11 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 (and higher) is here with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 31 RealTracks/RealDrums!
Guess who’s back again? That’s right! It’s our XPro Styles PAK’s triumphant return with the 11th edition in this series! 100 new styles are coming your way spread across the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres. And this edition's wildcard genre explores the immense and far-reaching catalogue of electronic music! The included 31 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1-11 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 11 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2026 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 22 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2026 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
It’s time to celebrate! Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Band-in-a-Box® is here, and we've got 200 brand-new styles coming your way!
No Xtra Styles PAK is complete without the classic rock & pop, jazz, and country volumes you know and love, and we’ve got plenty to share, with 150 styles spread across too many genres to list! Of course, it also wouldn’t be complete with our special wildcard volume to add a little spice and pizzazz to the mix. This year, because we loved it so much the first time, we’ve decided to make the second iteration of our SynthMaster volume, full of new sounds, interesting genres, and 50 engaging styles, all making use of the diverse SynthMaster plugin! Here you can find genres such as airy yacht rock, sultry electrotango, and even some synth soca funk. Don’t wait, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 22 today!
In this PAK you can find: dulcet folk ballads, funky gospel country, Brazilian jazz fusion, upbeat 1980s pop, classic Americana, a plethora of breezy bossa novas, indie singer-songwriter, scintillating synthwave, exuberant electronica, and many, many more!
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1-22 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 22 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 22.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 22 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 22 requires the 2026 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Peter Gannon Talks Band-in-a-Box with zplane
zplane recently interviewed Peter Gannon, the founder and creator of Band-in-a-Box, about the software's early days, what sets it apart from AI, how zplane's audio algorithms are used in Band-in-a-Box, and more!
Special thanks to the team at zplane for their continued support.
Check out the full interview here: https://products.zplane.de/blog/peter-gannon-interview-pg-music
Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PDT today!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.
Another exciting new addition is the amazing new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. View the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to transcribe an entire track or transcribe specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, and much more!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Mac® to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.
If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Special Offers Extended Until May 31st!
Good news- we've extended our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® special offers until May 31, 2026!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 is packed with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can transcribe an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PDT on May 31st, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Check out the Band-in-a-Box® for Mac packages page to find the best package for you.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics86,635
Posts807,796
Members40,179
| |
Most Online64,515
Apr 8th, 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean