VHS to DVD

[boong]

I have been trying to import VHS to my computer so I can burn them to DVD.
I purchased an AV2HDMI converter but when I open the OBS program, I'm unable to find a link that will show the VHS tapes being the input source.
Normally I am able to find the answer but I'm at a loss here. I used WIkiHow as a source but the info on that is different than what I'm seeing on OBS window.
What should I select for that?
Any help appreciated.

 

[AaronD]

Most media signals, HDMI included, are one direction only. Are you trying to use your graphics card output, as an input?

 

[boong]

Most media signals, HDMI included, are one direction only. Are you trying to use your graphics card output, as an input?

Thank you AaronD for your response.
What I have is a VCR that I'm using to play the VHS tapes that I want to import to my computer so that I can burn them to DVD. The back of the VCR has 3 RCA jacks, two jacks for output (see atch). When I connect the VCR to a TV using the RCA cables, I can view the video. Then I purchased an AV2HDMI converter. According to Wikihow, I needed the necessary software to get the videos onto my computer and they recommended OBS. After downloading OBS I used the Auto configuration Wizard to set it up. So far, what I have been able to accomplish is selecting the Video Capturing Device as the video source. I click on Record for about 3-4 minutes then Stop. When I go to my computer, video folder, it shows a video and when I click on it it starts playing but no video - just a blank black screen. I have no idea why the video in the VCR is not being recorded to my video folder.
Any suggestions on what to do greatly appreciated. My next move is to by a VHS/DVD combo.

 

[koala]

AV2HDMI converter

It seems you bought a device that just converts the analog VCR signal to digital hdmi, so you can connect it to some modern TV/monitor with hdmi. You cannot connect this to the hdmi output of your computer, since that's also an output, intended to go to a monitor as well. Instead, you need a capture device that inputs the analog VCR signal and outputs the signal to USB, and such a device will be recognized by your PC/Laptop as video capture device.

 

[boong]

Ah so. Seems I got erroneous info before as I was told using USB will not give good quality that HDMI would.
Well, I just ordered a VHS to USB. Get it Tuesday. If that doesn't work, I'll be back. Hopefully everything else I did is correct. Time will tell.
Again, I thank you for your input.

 

[AaronD]

I was told using USB will not give good quality that HDMI would.

You can't get *HD* video through USB2 without compressing it *hard*, but a VCR is not HD! You *can* get HD video through USB3 without compressing it, but only 1 HD stream per controller (not per port: most computers have internal hubs for just 1 or 2 controllers to feed all the ports)

You can get *SD* video through USB2, which is what the VCR is. Same limitation applies: only 1 per controller.

Annoyingly, USB does NOT "bundle up" USB2 traffic on an upstream USB3 connection, which is what keeps that limit today. A USB3 hub is really two separate hubs in one box that even use different wires: USB2 and USB3 stay separate all the way back to the controller.

 

[boong]

Thanks AaronD.
Appreciate the update. I used to be heavy into video but that was years ago and haven't had much of anything going on since I gave it up about 8 years ago. Not totally up-to-date on how things have changed. Just happened across some old VHS that my wife had before we got married and wanted to get them on DVD while still able. I'M supposed to get my converter Tuesday. Will let you know the results.

 

[boong]

Well, I'm about to give up on trying to import my VHS videos to my AIO for burning to DVD.
I have a Diamond Multimedia "One-Touch video capture (VC 500) to get video from my VCR to my computer. Connected VCR to USB on computer. Went to the Knowledge Base and followed the instructions. Selected Video Capture Device (no name) as my source. Started VCR then clicked "Start Recording". After about 30-45 seconds, stopped recording, went video file, got a blank video playing.
Don't know what I'm doing wrong or not doing.
If anybody is interested in showing me what I'm not doing right, thank you.

 

[AaronD]

Don't know what I'm doing wrong or not doing.
If anybody is interested in showing me what I'm not doing right, thank you.

What *are* you doing anyway? Can't really help without that.

Post screenshots of settings (what you don't post could also be a clue: some settings are hard to find), the recording if not completely blank, pictures of where you plugged everything in with labels clearly visible, etc.

 

[boong]

What *are* you doing anyway? Can't really help without that.

Post screenshots of settings (what you don't post could also be a clue: some settings are hard to find), the recording if not completely blank, pictures of where you plugged everything in with labels clearly visible, etc.

Ok. Give a few and I'll be back.

 

[Lawrence_SoCal]

First, my standard recommendation on OBS Studio Sources
- make sure it is working, which you already did (not everyone does),

.... When I connect the VCR to a TV using the RCA cables, I can view the video. ...​

- then make sure that signal getting to Operating System (OS) - not something to assume, especially with cheap, no-name adapters
- and only after that, into OBS Studio.
So often the issue is NOT OBS Studio. And being free, open-source, this isn't software that will hand hold you to a fix.

So make sure you can actually watch the video cleanly at the Operating System level {lots of ways to do this, including Windows Recorder}.
skipping this step can lead to a LOT of frustration.... and mis-identification of the problem.
Then make sure you check OS permissions such that OBS Studio can access to Source input device (USB capture, in this case)
Then, and only then, move onto seeing Source in OBS Studio Preview window. (which I'm suspecting was working/happening)
Then, one can move onto Recording in OBS Studio

 

[boong]

This is for AaronD and Lawrence_SoCa.
I want to mark this post as solved. I finally found my problem - my converter was bad. I had been using Diamond Multimedia VC500 one touch. Apparently it needs a driver and I don't have it. Will make long story short.
I received a new converter today, hooked it up and VIOLA, I am able to download my videos to my Video folder on my AIO.
Now, it's just a matter of downloading all 25 and then burning to DVD.
I do really appreciate both of your time and assistance. I apologize for any frustrations I might have caused.
I'm at 84 and still learning.
Thank you both and have a good evening and tomorrow.
Jack

 

[Lawrence_SoCal]

You are just barely older than my Dad. Congrats on dealing with and resolving this complex a level of technology at 84.

 

[boong]

You are just barely older than my Dad. Congrats on dealing with and resolving this complex a level of technology at 84.

Thanks. I am the type that has trouble accepting the fact that I can't solve a problem. A big part of my past - 24.5 years in USAF and 13.5 years driving 18-wheeler, among other things. I believe if I can't get it done quick, take a break and try again. If I still "ain't" got it, not too proud to ask for help. The videos are some that my wife (3rd one) and her sister and bro-in-law had before I met her 28 years ago. They are important to them. Part of their history after arriving here from Loas during Vietnam war. Just finished converting cassette tapes to MP3 to burn to CD. Now, just have to do a little editing on everything before I get ready to burn everything.
Again, thanks for the good words. Have a great rest of the week.

 

[Lawrence_SoCal]

Beware that Video editing/encoding is similar to making VHS tape copies... a slight loss in quality for every re-encode (typical digital movies are not encoded losslessly). So if you make video edits, best to work with original digital copy (ie, first time you encode from analog). Adding title and others later is ok, but will typically mean a re-encode.
Though a lot more complicated (and probably not worth it...), this re-encode reason is why some folks, when encoding for analog try to make, things like an intro title/slide, sub-titles, etc part of the original compositing/encoding. But, if you can't get it all in with OBS Studio, and getting exact timing right, etc... is why I intend to encode at a higher quality than needed (so the loss in quality won't be (as) noticeable, then video edit once afterwards.

What you don't want to do, if at all practical, is encode/save video. Make an edit (editor of choice... though higher-end editors with more powerful computers will, on average, have lower quality loss... though it really does depend), save (re-encode), later make another edit, save (re-encode), etc. Some video editors (like photo editors) will let you make 'adjustments, but save those in a 'side' file. You can make as many of these as you want. When you want in Preview window, you will see all of those edits 'combined'. But you one Output (Encode) when done. And if you realize you need to fix an edit, or do more, you are still working with the original video file.

Also
- I recommend testing burning to DVD and seeing if you like the results (original was 4.7GB). You are limited in file size, and that will impact perceived video quality. Movie studios have REALLY high-end systems that can more highly compress the video and still make it look good to fit on a DVD. You may need to break the videos up into smaller chunks so they fit on a DVD at a quality you like, or you may end up instead posting videos to a private online share (Google Drive, OneDrive, ... lots of options), or getting cheap 1TB flash drives (or whatever size makes sense) and sharing videos on that. I do agree to archiving to a longer-term media than flash drives, cloud storage, etc. Just realize that finding a DVD player at a home is getting less and less common. just a thought

 

[boong]

Beware that Video editing/encoding is similar to making VHS tape copies... a slight loss in quality for every re-encode (typical digital movies are not encoded losslessly). So if you make video edits, best to work with original digital copy (ie, first time you encode from analog). Adding title and others later is ok, but will typically mean a re-encode.
Though a lot more complicated (and probably not worth it...), this re-encode reason is why some folks, when encoding for analog try to make, things like an intro title/slide, sub-titles, etc part of the original compositing/encoding. But, if you can't get it all in with OBS Studio, and getting exact timing right, etc... is why I intend to encode at a higher quality than needed (so the loss in quality won't be (as) noticeable, then video edit once afterwards.

What you don't want to do, if at all practical, is encode/save video. Make an edit (editor of choice... though higher-end editors with more powerful computers will, on average, have lower quality loss... though it really does depend), save (re-encode), later make another edit, save (re-encode), etc. Some video editors (like photo editors) will let you make 'adjustments, but save those in a 'side' file. You can make as many of these as you want. When you want in Preview window, you will see all of those edits 'combined'. But you one Output (Encode) when done. And if you realize you need to fix an edit, or do more, you are still working with the original video file.

Also
- I recommend testing burning to DVD and seeing if you like the results (original was 4.7GB). You are limited in file size, and that will impact perceived video quality. Movie studios have REALLY high-end systems that can more highly compress the video and still make it look good to fit on a DVD. You may need to break the videos up into smaller chunks so they fit on a DVD at a quality you like, or you may end up instead posting videos to a private online share (Google Drive, OneDrive, ... lots of options), or getting cheap 1TB flash drives (or whatever size makes sense) and sharing videos on that. I do agree to archiving to a longer-term media than flash drives, cloud storage, etc. Just realize that finding a DVD player at a home is getting less and less common. just a thought

 

[boong]

Thanks for that info. I have just copied one of the 31 year old videos to my computer. Quality not too bad. Not as good as if it were done digitally. Now, I will burn it to DVD, using Cyberlink Power Director and see what I end-up with.