Old videotapes to the computer?

McCracken

McCracken

Logan Can't See This
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Jul 9, 2005
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With your mom at a nice seafood dinner
I know this can be done but I'm struggling. I've got some old 8mm tapes and MiniDV. I tried to plug the handycam in but the computer wouldn't recognize it. bitches. so what are my options. I'd like to start with free if at all possible.
 
You're going to need some kind of frame grabber/video capture card. Basically you have to do an analog to digital conversion.
When you said you tried plugging in the handycam - what are you plugging it into?

You can get USB video capture cards pretty cheap (like < $30).
 
I have a ton of 8mm tapes I've been wanting to put on DVDs or something but know nothing about doing it.

Worst part probably is I don't have an 8mm camera that works anymore.
 
McCracken said:
I know this can be done but I'm struggling. I've got some old 8mm tapes and MiniDV. I tried to plug the handycam in but the computer wouldn't recognize it. bitches. so what are my options. I'd like to start with free if at all possible.
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GONOVRIT said:
I have a ton of 8mm tapes I've been wanting to put on DVDs or something but know nothing about doing it.

Worst part probably is I don't have an 8mm camera that works anymore.
Click to expand...
Boys the internet is full of free porn,no need to hold on to your old snuff films.
 
I got an 8mm video camera when I was a senior in HS, I have epic videos. Fast forward a few yrs and girls would show their chests for a shot of liquor:D

I also have vhs tape that isn't in a cassette of 3.5yrs of "greatest hits" in the late 90's. I've tried transfering it to another but it didn't work out.

I still own a working vcr just for that tape.
 
RatLabGuy said:
You're going to need some kind of frame grabber/video capture card. Basically you have to do an analog to digital conversion.
When you said you tried plugging in the handycam - what are you plugging it into?

You can get USB video capture cards pretty cheap (like < $30).
Click to expand...


If you try to get one that is USB, make sure your PC has a USB3.0 port. Anything less is too slow and will cause the video to be choppy or the video and audio will not jive.
 
GONOVRIT said:
I got an 8mm video camera when I was a senior in HS, I have epic videos. Fast forward a few yrs and girls would show their chests for a shot of liquor:D

I also have vhs tape that isn't in a cassette of 3.5yrs of "greatest hits" in the late 90's. I've tried transfering it to another but it didn't work out.

I still own a working vcr just for that tape.
Click to expand...
 
I've seen adapters for around $12 but then I see packages at best buy for $80. I'm assuming one comes with software. All I want to do is get them on the computer. There's other editing software to use.
 
McCracken said:
I've seen adapters for around $12 but then I see packages at best buy for $80. I'm assuming one comes with software. All I want to do is get them on the computer. There's other editing software to use.
Click to expand...


I bought one of the cheap ones for around $15 online. Instructions were available in every Cantonese dialect, but the English directions appeared to be written by a 2nd grader with a learning disability. I learned quickly what they mean by it being a "Video capture" card. It does only that, capture video. If you want video and audio interlaced together, buy a better card.

I ended up selling mine at a yard sale for $1 with full disclosure.
 
What kind of computer? Laptop or desktop? If desktop, do you know what kind of slots you have available for a card?
That will help narrow the search.
Basically you have to get a video capture card, that's where this all starts.
 
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