[MowHoward2210]

Disney's Song of the South has not been available in the States for many years, due to it being "politically incorrect". Whatever. I have a European VHS that is in NTSC format (as opposed to PAL), so it will play here.

My "work" plans were sabotaged by the weather today, so I decided to convert the VHS into a DVD. This way I can archive it in a more permanent way, as VHS tape deteriorates over time.

I put in chapters or scenes, just like on a DVD movie that you buy, with "Zipitty-Doo-Dah" playing in the menu. Yeah, that's corny, but it turned out pretty cool, and it's nice to be able to jump to different scenes, like the cartoons or Briar Rabbit & Fox. I put in 11 chapter markers or scenes. It was kind of hard to know the right places to put them in without knowing the movie real well.

<img src=http://www.homepage.mac.com/userosx/.Pictures/sos1.jpg>
This title page has a translucent curtain that moves with the title picture I inserted.

<img src=http://www.homepage.mac.com/userosx/.Pictures/sos2.jpg>
Each scene is a moving or animated clip. I think they are about 30 seconds in length, then they repeat themselves. The object in the bottom left is the DVD controller on my computer screen.

<img src=http://www.homepage.mac.com/userosx/.Pictures/sos3.jpg>
The picture quality came out pretty good considering it was VHS. It looks better on a TV than a computer, since the computers resolution is higher than the original source.

 

[memmurphy]

I'm impressed Mow! :thumbsup:

Do you have software special for converting VHS to DVD. That sounds like a major technical undertaking.

Mark

 

[MowHoward2210]

Originally posted by memmurphy
I'm impressed Mow! :thumbsup:

Do you have software special for converting VHS to DVD. That sounds like a major technical undertaking.

Mark

No, I plug a VCR into my Sony DV camcorder which is plugged into my computer via Firewire. The DV camera is a "pass through" which makes it a Analog to Digital converter. You have to give the computer information in a digital format so you can edit your project. If I didn't have the DV camera as a "pass through", I would have to buy a stand-alone analog/digiital converter.

Once the VHS footage in my machine, I use iMovie to edit the movie. Then I use iDVD to make a DVD with the DVD menu and chapters. The iLife suite that comes with Apple computers lets iMovie, iDVD, iTunes, iPhoto, and Gagageband all interface with each other, so you can build your project and draw from the other programs without opening the others up. Here's a screen shot of iMovie. I minimised it pretty good, so I wouldn't have such a huge picture to post. The window is normally a lot wider. Note that iDVD is selected on the right, and the little yellow markers in the timeline are were the chapters start.

Footnote: I could not take a screen shot of the DVD while is was playing, so my first pics of the menu were from the computers LCD through my video camera. There is a 3rd party app that let's you take a screen shot of a purchased DVD, but I think we have it on another machine, and I didn't want to mess with it. Who knows, it may not work anymore. The software makers are always trying to thwart copying, etc. This project of mine is for my own use.

<img src=http://www.homepage.mac.com/userosx/.Pictures/im.jpg>

 

[jodyand]

I haven't tried to burn DVDs from VHS but i do burn DVDs from my camcorder. I don't know if i could without something like dazzle.

 

[MowHoward2210]

Originally posted by jodyand
I haven't tried to burn DVDs from VHS but i do burn DVDs from my camcorder. I don't know if i could without something like dazzle.

If you can burn DVD's straight from your camera, then your camera might have a "pass-through" that would allow you to plug an analog source like a VCR into your camcorder. If not, then you have to use a digital to analog like a Dazzle unit.

My camera has a 1/8" jack input where you plug in a cable that has a 1/8" or mini jack on one end, and 3 RCA plugs (Audio L & R and Video) that you hook up to a VCR or a non-digital camcorder. From the camera I use a Firewire (Sony calls it iLink) to the computer. I intentionally bought a camera (Sony DCR TVR25) with a A/D pass-through so I wouldnt have to buy a stand-alone unit. For once I was thinking ahead.:idea: Sony makes great cameras IMO.

 

[memmurphy]

Thanks for the detailed description Mow. Was the slide show on your web page created with the iLife suite also?

Mark

 

[MowHoward2210]

Mark,

Yes and No. It was made with .Mac (dot Mac) where I have my web hosting, backup utility, online storage, and email accounts. I think I grabbed the pics from my iDisk (the online storage), but i can also use some of the iLife apps to connect to .Mac if so desired.

 

[MowHoward2210]

Here's iPhoto for an example. Note the options in the bottom toolbar. I'll resize the pic if it is too big (sometimes it's hard to tell until I see the post)


<img src=http://www.homepage.mac.com/userosx/.Pictures/iphto.jpg>

 

[MowHoward2210]

Mark,

Here is another screen shot of connecting to my webpage through iPhoto.

I'll confess I've never used this option.

It's alot easier than going through my storage disc.

All I had to do was click on the desired photos (note the blue border around the photos) and click on the "Homepage" icon at the bottom. I selected the "Pushpin" theme on the right. All I would have to do then is check or un-check the various options and hit "Publish", and it will upload a new webpage.


<img src=http://www.homepage.mac.com/userosx/.Pictures/dmac.jpg>

Edit: I forgot to mention that .Mac is not a free service it is $99 a year. Pricey but worth it to me, as we also use the iSync program so my family can sync our calendars (yes it's called iCalander ) and Address Book. It syncs any addition to the programs to the server.

 

[memmurphy]

That's neat!

I was curious as to how you created those photo pages. My HP photo program that came with my camera is only useful for resizing/editing photos or saving them to CD. I then ftp them to my Tripod account along with a .htm page that I make using Front Page Express. I do have powerpoint but have never tried to use it yet. Anyway I end up using three different programs (HP Photo Gallery, Front Page Express, and Smart ftp) just to put a simple photo page up. I like the way your's pulls everything together.


Mark

 

[Rodster]

I converted some VCR tapes to DVDs using Dazzle. It works ok but the rendering takes forever.
Rodster

 

[MowHoward2210]

It took about 4.5 hours to render and burn the S of the S video! I rendered and burned it on my kids machine (mine does not have a DVD burner).

I joked (hinted) to my wife we (I) need a faster computer. She failed to see (s*it-canned my idea) any humor in that.

 

[AlbanyBob]

Mow:

The wife never sees it as needing a faster anything......

But now I bet if you said Honey lets go buy you some new clothes or shoes she would be faster than the tractor......

Bob