Copying old VHS tapes to DVD

[cnw1995]

Bob, can you post anything you find for the Mac?

[fwright]

Don

Thanks very much for the info on cleaning print heads.  I really got frustrated with trashing a printer every time I moved or deployed for a period during my military service.  And I saw similar reports on the web forums.  You may tempt me to return to the Epson yet.  I understand their inks are more durable, and the Epson prints generally looked better in the lesser resolution modes.  High resolution seems about the same.

Thanks again

Fred Wright 

[Bob Keller]

Since it is for Windows, I'll have to poke around and find the Mac substitute! Thanks for the info.

[cnw1995]

Since I don't have a VCR anymore - this sounds great as I would try to play it off my Sony camera.

[dbaker48]

Re: Tape to DVD, guess I've been behind the times playing the old VHS into my DVD recorder. Sounds like a software-driven route would be the way to go. I looked at using iMovie/iDVD but the rub was connections from a VHS player to computer - none of my VHS players have a firewire or USB output.

Bob, that was one of the primary features of the unit I mentioned at the top of this thread.  It uses standard RCA cables as input from the VCR, or if your unit has S cable capability it can use it as well providing a higher quality signal.  The unit uses USB as its output to the computer.

[Bob Keller]

Regarding printers, over the past 20 years I've used two Apples, and Epson, and an HP - one Apple died, the others were retired due to better/enhanced capability of newer models. Re: Tape to DVD, guess I've been behind the times playing the old VHS into my DVD recorder. Sounds like a software-driven route would be the way to go. I looked at using iMovie/iDVD but the rub was connections from a VHS player to computer - none of my VHS players have a firewire or USB output.

[ChiefEagles]

Thanks Don.  Still using my Epson of many years.  If I have a problem, guess who I'm going to call?

[dbaker48]

My experience with Epson printers - I've owned 3 Epson inkjets - is that they are outstanding printers until the day the printhead clogs (and cannot be cleaned by the cleaning process). Then it's a throw away because the replacement cost of the printhead is over twice the cost of the printer. And they all eventually clog.

I did get about 2-3 years service out of each one before the clogging occurred. My first one clogged for the 1st time within the one year warranty period, and so was replaced for free. A tip I learned to postpone the printhead clogs somewhat - use the printer frequently. If the printer sits unused for a couple of weeks or more, it becomes much more susceptible to print head clogging.

While they are working the Epsons are really fine printers. And the ability to print on specially made CDs/DVDs is a plus. But I ended switching to Canons over the printhead issue - Canon's is replaceable for less than $40, but I've yet to need one - and the lower cost of Canon ink.

my experiences, YMMV

Fred W

Probably to late to be a benefit to you Fred, but there is a way of "unclogging" the head.  

1. Do the cleaning process NO MORE than 2 times, (more than twice will not do any good, it will just drain the cartridge.  The ink goes to a large absorption sponge at the base of the printer)

2. Let the printer set with Power ON, for a period of 3-4 hours, then run the Nozzle Check, (found in the printer utilities portion of the driver).

What has happened is that the air has gotten into the nozzles and since the ink is designed to dry upon contact with air the ink clogs the nozzles.  The nozzles are about 14 microns in diameter and therefore it doesn't take much.  Think of the nozzle as a small straw, with the dried ink  blocking the lower portion.  When you run the cleaning process, the printer floods the nozzles with fresh ink.  Doing that more than twice fills the nozzles, then the ink goes via an "overflow" path to the absorption sponge.  By letting the printer set with Power On the fresh ink has time to sit on top of the hardened ink, and will actually soften it.  The wetness of the fresh ink will cause the dried ink to dislodge.  By leaving the power on, their is a heat sensor that will activiate periodicaly (due to heat from the power supply) and initiatiating additionall fresh ink being injected to the nozzles.

You may need to repeat the above process more than once, depending upon the severity of the blockage.

Regarding the Canon Printer, the head will also clog there for the same reason, air.  Before buying another printhead, you may want to try the following;

1. Fold a paper towel into a pad.

2. Place the paper towel in a microwave bowl, and saturate with preferrably distilled water.

3.  Place in microwave and heat up, very hot.

4. Remove cartridges from printhead, (remove bowl from microwave) and place the printhead on the pad.

Let the printhead sit on the pad for 20 minutes or so, or until the pad returns to room temperature.

Dry the printhead using a hair dryer, removing all moisture.

This process is essentially steam cleaning the printhead.  Again you might have to repeat the process depending upon the severity of blockage.  The pad will usually be discolored as a result of  the ink being dislodged.

Unfortunately, the newer printers Canon, HP, Lexmark, and some Epson, the volume of ink in the cartridges is much less than previously, yet the cartridges remain the same or a little higher cost.

 

Hope I have helped someone. 

[jefelectric]

Over the past year+ I've been digitizing old photos into the computor and then burning CD's to pass on to the kids, oldest will get original photos.  One thing I learned is that there is a life expectency for a burned CD of about 5 years.  I haven't found whether, or not, that is for a CD that is just sitting around or one that is in frequent use.  Anyone else come across this caveat?

Roger,

I have a friend that works in the IT department of a large medical center.  He tells me that the Medical Grade CDs & DVDs are rated for a 20 year life.  Check out this site.

http://www.neutronexpress.com/lcat.cfm/4730/MEDICAL%20GRADE%20CD-R

Not all that expensive for limited use.

[beefmalone]

FYI: Newegg.com has them for $69.

[Roger Bielen]

Over the past year+ I've been digitizing old photos into the computor and then burning CD's to pass on to the kids, oldest will get original photos.  One thing I learned is that there is a life expectency for a burned CD of about 5 years.  I haven't found whether, or not, that is for a CD that is just sitting around or one that is in frequent use.  Anyone else come across this caveat?

[fwright]

Another great deal.... If anyone is looking for a printer, check out the Epson R340 at the Epson  website, Clearance Center.  This is the best printer I have seen in 9 years.   This printer will even print directly on CDs or DVDs. And it is only $69 delivered. Inexpensive printer to operate as well, and the results are fantastic.

My experience with Epson printers - I've owned 3 Epson inkjets - is that they are outstanding printers until the day the printhead clogs (and cannot be cleaned by the cleaning process). Then it's a throw away because the replacement cost of the printhead is over twice the cost of the printer. And they all eventually clog.

I did get about 2-3 years service out of each one before the clogging occurred. My first one clogged for the 1st time within the one year warranty period, and so was replaced for free. A tip I learned to postpone the printhead clogs somewhat - use the printer frequently. If the printer sits unused for a couple of weeks or more, it becomes much more susceptible to print head clogging.

While they are working the Epsons are really fine printers. And the ability to print on specially made CDs/DVDs is a plus. But I ended switching to Canons over the printhead issue - Canon's is replaceable for less than $40, but I've yet to need one - and the lower cost of Canon ink.

my experiences, YMMV

Fred W

[Anonymous]

or visit VHS to DVD and copy your home video tapes to dvd. You can get a pretty good conversion at a reasonable price from a lot of places. But what are most of these companies lacking? Care and attention to detail! Other ways you get totally amateurish product done with domestic equipment.
link: http://www.vhs-to-dvd.com/

[mitchelr]

Thanks Don. I will try to pick up one of these units in the near future. Sounds very reasonable in proce and easy to use. Mitch

[Anonymous]

Looks like a pretty nice product. If you have a simple console dvd recorder that will work as well. I bought a Sony dvd recorder to replace my old vcr earlier this year. Cost a little more than what you mention, but its great. Then I thought why disconnect the vcr totally? Hooked that up to the dvd recorder, now I just pop in a vhs, watch it and record it onto dvd, and its done. Works great.

HP just put a new photo printer out also for arond $100 that prints directly to cd/dvd. I got it a couple of months ago because I do a lot of photo restoration. So far it works great.

[dbaker48]

I picked up one of these DVD Express DX2  units, this past weekend.  They allege that  you can transfer from VHS to DVD.  I have seen it on Tiger Direct for $89.  I will let you know if I get it to work.

http://www.adstech.com/products/USBAV-709-EF/intro/USBAV-709_intro.asp?pid=USBAV-709-EF 

Tiger Direct

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/search.asp?mnf=1078

AS A RESULT OF MAKING THIS COMMENT IN THE COFFEE POT, A NUMBER OF GUYS ASKED IF I WOULD LET THEM KNOW IF IT WORKED.  I AM NOT AN AGENT OR SELLING THESE ITEMS, JUST FOUND THEM TO BE PRETTY GOOD, AND PASSING THE INFORMATION ON.  EVERYTHING STATED IS MY OPINION ONLY.  I AM NOT TRYING TO ADVERTISE FOR ANYONE OR SELL THEIR PRODUCTS.  JUST TRYING TO BE NEIGHBORLY. 

Setup - Very easy, load provided software, plug in VHS player to small unit, plug in to computer USB port

Their are two modes that I have found so far, the first is to make a direct copy from Tape to DVD.  It is a 1:1 time ratio.  But, no intervention.  Did fine, I copied a Christmas tape from 1983.

The other mode is it copies to a file on the hard drive then you can edit, add sound, talk over, and a number of other features.

The unit basically converts the analog signal to digital.  Therefore not copying any digital material.  The sales person told me that since it is using analog playback signal, there are not any security devices that prevent it from making back-up copies.  Interesting.

So far its seems pretty good.

Another great deal.... If anyone is looking for a printer, check out the Epson R340 at the Epson  website, Clearance Center.  This is the best printer I have seen in 9 years.   This printer will even print directly on CDs or DVDs. And it is only $69 delivered. Inexpensive printer to operate as well, and the results are fantastic.