2016-06-14T09:14:50+01:00 Zend_Feed_Writer https://www.augwessex.org.uk/discussions/view/1309 AUGW info@augwessex.org.uk https://www.augwessex.org.uk/ 2016-04-12T21:05:41+01:00 https://www.augwessex.org.uk/discussions/view/1309#6039 David Fleetwood info@augwessex.org.uk https://www.augwessex.org.uk/ Probably rather late in the day but having discovered a box of our old VHS tapes in a clear out and a VHS player to boot, I am wondering what members experience is of having tried to convert VHS tapes to a DVD themselves? We still have a mid 2011 iMac with CD/DVD writer but what other kit would I need, what format is it best to use and is there much deterioration in the quality? Any thoughts appreciated. 2016-04-12T21:41:10+01:00 https://www.augwessex.org.uk/discussions/view/1309#6040 Trevor Hewson info@augwessex.org.uk https://www.augwessex.org.uk/ We have a VHS recorder you could borrow if you are short of something to play your tapes on. As far as I recall though, it only has analogue output so you would need some sort of a/d dongle to get it into your Mac. 2016-04-13T19:41:23+01:00 https://www.augwessex.org.uk/discussions/view/1309#6045 Lionel Ogden info@augwessex.org.uk https://www.augwessex.org.uk/ Some time ago I converted a VHS video to a DVD and I think that I just connected the VHS player to a DVD recorder and it just did the conversion. You can have problems with commercial DVDs because of the anti-copying software they contain but otherwise it seemed to just work. Sadly I do not have a DVD recorder any more so I cannot do a trial to se if I can remember how I did it. I know it was a simple process not requiring an A to D converter or even connection to my Mac. 2016-04-14T07:47:55+01:00 https://www.augwessex.org.uk/discussions/view/1309#6046 Eleanor Spenceley info@augwessex.org.uk https://www.augwessex.org.uk/ I used an Eye TV 250 plus with S-Video/Composite connections similar to this. to record my videos directly from a video player. There is no loss of quality, but video quality isn't that good to start with. 2016-04-15T20:49:46+01:00 https://www.augwessex.org.uk/discussions/view/1309#6047 David Fleetwood info@augwessex.org.uk https://www.augwessex.org.uk/ Thanks for your comments everyone. I think I'm getting a bit baffled here (easily done)! The bit of kit I've found is a VCR and it has a SCART socket which seems to be the only output interface other than the RF signal to the TV. I had hoped i could connect the VCR to the iMac and download videos and burn them to a DVD. The kit that you mention Martin is about $220 and I didn't want to spend this sort of money on something I probably wouldn't use again. We also don't at the moment have a DVD recorder so I can't try Lionel's suggestion. Thanks for the offer of borrowing a VHS recorder Trevor but I think this is what I already have but if there are any ideas as to whether i can connect it to the iMac and how, I could try this possibility. 2016-04-16T08:30:11+01:00 https://www.augwessex.org.uk/discussions/view/1309#6048 Douglas Cheney info@augwessex.org.uk https://www.augwessex.org.uk/ Has the VCR got any phono or Din sockets on it, they are usually output sockets as well 2016-04-16T13:12:19+01:00 https://www.augwessex.org.uk/discussions/view/1309#6050 Tony Still info@augwessex.org.uk https://www.augwessex.org.uk/ David, You need a "toolkit" to get from your SCART socket to a digital input for your Mac. Three items: 1. Something to connect to SCART. Probably a simple physical converter like this from Amazon. For UKP2.59 you get audio and composite video outputs. You will then need cables like these from Amazon for UKP2.29. 2. A video digitiser 3. Mac software capable of capturing the video in a format you can load into iMovie or whatever To keep it simple, the second two are probably best bought as something like this from Amazon (this may be a cheaper version of what Chris suggested). It is UKP71.82, there are much cheaper pieces of hardware out there but the issue is the Mac software; someone else may know of a cheaper solution (and check out the reference to a Maplin product in one of the comments). You could also consider this cheaper product from a no-name supplier, it's UKP30 and allegedly will do the same job as the Elgato. DISCLAIMER: I haven't tried any of these items. 2016-04-16T18:49:05+01:00 https://www.augwessex.org.uk/discussions/view/1309#6054 David Fleetwood info@augwessex.org.uk https://www.augwessex.org.uk/ Thanks Tony and Doug, the VCR unfortunately doesn't have phono or Din sockets but I think I have a SCART to phono adapter somewhere. I think you are right about the Elgato product Tony which I had seen recommended elsewhere. The cheaper product only has 1 mediocre review on Amazon so if I want to do the job properly the Elgato one looks like the best option. I think I will also get an external drive to store all the videos on rather than trying to burn them onto discs as people still seem to have problems playing back discs burnt on a computer through DVD players. 2016-04-17T09:35:03+01:00 https://www.augwessex.org.uk/discussions/view/1309#6059 Douglas Cheney info@augwessex.org.uk https://www.augwessex.org.uk/ I have used Toast to burn DVDs and have had no trouble with the discs playing on DVD players 2016-04-17T11:09:08+01:00 https://www.augwessex.org.uk/discussions/view/1309#6060 Eric Jervis info@augwessex.org.uk https://www.augwessex.org.uk/ I've been watching this post for some time, wondering where I put the little gadget I bought many years ago for doing this very job. I've now found it, covered in dust, so the hardware problem is solved, but I can't remember what the software was called. I seem to remember I bought it from a bloke in Plymouth because I rang him up to see if he knew why the lip sync was out. He didn't know but I realised later that it was probably because I am tight fisted and recorded all my films on the half speed setting. Nor can I remember what computer I was using at the time. Possibly the G5, or even the old G4, so it may not work with a modern machine. You are welcome to it David,if you email your address to toadslayr@yahoo.co.uk, as I probably won't get round to using it again. It seems to consist of a scart to phono to usb adapter, and I had no trouble playing the discs I burnt with Toast. 2016-04-17T12:34:20+01:00 https://www.augwessex.org.uk/discussions/view/1309#6061 Eric Jervis info@augwessex.org.uk https://www.augwessex.org.uk/ I found the app on an external drive, and could therefore email it to you (probably) via WeTransfer, its called VideoGlide Capture. 2016-04-17T20:40:26+01:00 https://www.augwessex.org.uk/discussions/view/1309#6062 David Fleetwood info@augwessex.org.uk https://www.augwessex.org.uk/ Well thanks so much Eric, I really appreciate your efforts in locating the bit of kit - sounds like several hours was spent searching the loft or somewhere similar! For the benefit of other WAMUG-ers, I'll put a post on in due course to say how I got on. In the meantime I'll email you with my details. 2016-05-15T19:39:33+01:00 https://www.augwessex.org.uk/discussions/view/1309#6096 David Fleetwood info@augwessex.org.uk https://www.augwessex.org.uk/ The saga continues in that although with the device that Eric kindly sent me (a digitiser I believe), I was not able to record from the VCR, i was able to from mini cassettes played on our old Sony camcorder which has an s video output. Great I thought we've achieved something! - spoke too soon as I have not been able to open the .mov file that the software created, with QuickTime player. I think older versions of QT might have been able to but not the version I have (10.4). The support people for the software I'm using (VideoGlide) have said to try running my iMac in 32 bit mode by holding down the 3 and 2 keys as i start up. I'm just a little nervous of this as I've not heard of doing this before. Am I worrying unnecessarily? 2016-05-15T21:59:08+01:00 https://www.augwessex.org.uk/discussions/view/1309#6097 Trevor Hewson info@augwessex.org.uk https://www.augwessex.org.uk/ Have you tried importing the .mov file into iMovie? 2016-05-16T12:46:47+01:00 https://www.augwessex.org.uk/discussions/view/1309#6098 Douglas Cheney info@augwessex.org.uk https://www.augwessex.org.uk/ There is a program on the App store which you might find will help it is called Free MP4 Converter app. I have used it and found it worked alright 2016-05-16T21:19:11+01:00 https://www.augwessex.org.uk/discussions/view/1309#6102 David Fleetwood info@augwessex.org.uk https://www.augwessex.org.uk/ Following Trevor's comment I tried iMovie (10.1.2) but it came up with an error message saying it couldn't open QuickTime movies,which seems strange. I'll look into Doug's suggestion next! 2016-05-17T12:34:25+01:00 https://www.augwessex.org.uk/discussions/view/1309#6105 Eric Jervis info@augwessex.org.uk https://www.augwessex.org.uk/ I wonder if Apple in their wisdom have improved all the usefullness out of iMovie? I use version version 6.0.3 (iMovie HD) which I love for its simplicity. I've got a .mov file that I'm now burning to disc with Toast Titanium. The finder says its a QuickTime movie and also an MPEG 4, which seems strange as it clearly identifies itself as a .mov. I'll let you know how I get on. Intriguing, isn't it? 2016-05-18T10:45:38+01:00 https://www.augwessex.org.uk/discussions/view/1309#6109 Eric Jervis info@augwessex.org.uk https://www.augwessex.org.uk/ The .mov file in question is the only film I definitely remember converting from VHS to digital using 'the gadget'. I imported it into iMovie which worked perfectly, and Toast also appeared to work perfectly and burned a DVD. However, when I try to play the disc I can't get beyond the initial title, it won't play, fast forward or rewind. The same thing happens with a little snippet I downloaded from Youtube. I've just Handbraked it and it clearly identifies itself on the desktop as an .mp4 file; I'm now waiting for iMovie to import it so I can chop a bit off the end as its a few megabites too big for a disc. (time remaining 300 minutes). 2016-05-18T15:27:12+01:00 https://www.augwessex.org.uk/discussions/view/1309#6110 Tony Still info@augwessex.org.uk https://www.augwessex.org.uk/ Another app that might open the file is Quicktime Player 7. This is the current Quicktime Player's older, uglier and much more powerful brother. It was a standard install so hopefully you still have it hanging around. 2016-05-18T20:57:25+01:00 https://www.augwessex.org.uk/discussions/view/1309#6111 Eric Jervis info@augwessex.org.uk https://www.augwessex.org.uk/ After whiling away all those hours iMovie gave me the Spinning Beachball of Death, and after 5 minutes of that I forced it to quit. Tony, QT7 does indeed open it, but the problem is getting the infernal thing onto a DVD, perhaps a more recent verson of Toast? 2016-05-19T20:39:11+01:00 https://www.augwessex.org.uk/discussions/view/1309#6116 David Fleetwood info@augwessex.org.uk https://www.augwessex.org.uk/ On the Apple Support pages I see that to run QT7 you should be running Snow Leopard, which I don't have anymore, you can though still download QT7. Euan has very kindly sent me iDVD so that is the next thing to try, phew! 2016-05-20T22:00:13+01:00 https://www.augwessex.org.uk/discussions/view/1309#6120 Tony Still info@augwessex.org.uk https://www.augwessex.org.uk/ Eric, if QT7 will read it then use it to transcode (export) something that Toast can read, then proceed as originally planned. QT7 still runs on OS X after Snow Leopard, at least it does on El Capitan here. 2016-05-21T10:53:54+01:00 https://www.augwessex.org.uk/discussions/view/1309#6121 Eric Jervis info@augwessex.org.uk https://www.augwessex.org.uk/ QT7 does open the .mov file but 10 of the options are prefixed 'pro' and greyed out, including 'export'. 2016-05-22T12:51:53+01:00 https://www.augwessex.org.uk/discussions/view/1309#6124 Lionel Ogden info@augwessex.org.uk https://www.augwessex.org.uk/ A handy file converter is MPEG Streamclip found at http://www.squared5.com 2016-05-22T20:28:45+01:00 https://www.augwessex.org.uk/discussions/view/1309#6126 Eric Jervis info@augwessex.org.uk https://www.augwessex.org.uk/ I've had a look at it Lionel, but it talks about Streamclip components and other thingies, and I haven't got the nerve! 2016-05-22T22:31:27+01:00 https://www.augwessex.org.uk/discussions/view/1309#6129 Tony Still info@augwessex.org.uk https://www.augwessex.org.uk/ Eric, Sorry for the bad steer there. I bought the Pro licence for QT7 so long ago I'd forgotten about it. I don't know if Apple even still sells them, I think I paid about GBP15 for mine. Has anyone suggested Handbrake yet? It's a very capable (and free) video format converter, though it's not the simplest beast to use. 2016-05-25T16:33:02+01:00 https://www.augwessex.org.uk/discussions/view/1309#6137 Eric Jervis info@augwessex.org.uk https://www.augwessex.org.uk/ HI tony, Yep. Digressing slightly, I had two goes at burning a particular MP4 file and toast crashed both times after wasting an unconscionable time. So I thought I'd have a go at another option toast was offering me, to burn a DIV X disc. This worked perfectly in a sense! It plays the video at an angle of 45 degrees, and as if viewed through a distorting mirror. Most peculiar. 2016-05-29T20:14:10+01:00 https://www.augwessex.org.uk/discussions/view/1309#6138 Tony Still info@augwessex.org.uk https://www.augwessex.org.uk/ So will propping your DVD player at the opposite 45 degree angle whilst playing the DIV X disc fix the problem? ;-) 2016-05-29T22:30:11+01:00 https://www.augwessex.org.uk/discussions/view/1309#6139 Mick Burrell info@augwessex.org.uk https://www.augwessex.org.uk/ I bet you sent that without thinking Tony - clearly it would need to be the TV that you'd set at the opposite 45 degrees! Or of course leave the TV as is and screw your shoes to the floor so you can lean at 45 degrees without falling over. 2016-05-31T14:39:49+01:00 https://www.augwessex.org.uk/discussions/view/1309#6140 Tony Still info@augwessex.org.uk https://www.augwessex.org.uk/ Mick - propping the player imparts a quantum spin on the bits causing the TV to scan at an angle. I thought everyone knew that. I can also sell you a green marker pen to colour the edges of your CDs to make them sound better. 2016-06-05T22:24:00+01:00 https://www.augwessex.org.uk/discussions/view/1309/2#6141 Eric Jervis info@augwessex.org.uk https://www.augwessex.org.uk/ Ho ho ho.......you are a pair of WAGS! (just returned to Angleterre) 2016-06-09T19:47:02+01:00 https://www.augwessex.org.uk/discussions/view/1309/2#6142 Lionel Ogden info@augwessex.org.uk https://www.augwessex.org.uk/ Aha! it has been revealed, a cunning EU plot to make videos play at forty five degrees to use less energy. 2016-06-09T21:22:48+01:00 https://www.augwessex.org.uk/discussions/view/1309/2#6143 Eric Jervis info@augwessex.org.uk https://www.augwessex.org.uk/ Boy, am I going to punish the bounders on June the 23rd! 2016-06-13T22:20:46+01:00 https://www.augwessex.org.uk/discussions/view/1309/2#6144 Tony Still info@augwessex.org.uk https://www.augwessex.org.uk/ Eric, Not sure who you're out to punish. A vote to leave will punish almost everyone as goods become more expensive* and taxes have to rise to sustain** government spending (the NHS, for example). Please don't punish me - I'm so helpful :-) *Because the Pound loses value **The economy shrinks so %age taxes must increase to raise the same amount of money 2016-06-14T09:14:50+01:00 https://www.augwessex.org.uk/discussions/view/1309/2#6145 Eric Jervis info@augwessex.org.uk https://www.augwessex.org.uk/ ‘Won’t you join our Common Market?’ said the spider to the fly, ‘It really is a winner and the cost is not too high’ ‘I know De Gaulle said ’’ Non’’, but he hadn’t got a clue, ‘We want you in, my friends and I, for we have plans for you. ‘You’ll have to pay a little more than we do, just for now, ‘As Herr Kohl said, and I agree, we need a new milch cow, ‘It’s just a continental term, believe me , mon ami, ‘Like ‘’Vive la France’’ or ‘’Mad Anglais’’ or even ‘’E.E.C.’’. ‘As to the rules, don’t worry friend, there’s really but a few ‘You’ll find that we ignore them - but they all apply to you. ‘Give and share between us, that’s what it’s all about, ‘You do all the giving, and we all share it out. ‘It’s very British, is it not, to help a friend in need? ‘You’ve done it twice in two World Wars, a fact we must concede, ‘So climb aboard the Market Train, don’t sit there on the side, ‘Your continental cousins want to take you for a ride’