how to connect VCR to camcoder in order to convert VHS to dv

[paul8883]

Hi, I'm new to convert vcr to dv. I would like to convert all my old video tape(VHS) to dv tape then via firewire to transfer it to PC, then convert to VCD and save it to CD-R.
My configurations:
- Philps VCR VR910 (EU_SCART 1 & 2, front av in (out?))
- Panasonic Camcoder NV-MX7 (dv in/out, av in/out s-video)
- PC with firewire port

I tried to connect the VCR to my cancoder with av, but can't record the VHS to my dv tapte in camcoder (no signal, probably the front av is onlut in connection)

Can anybody tell me how I can record the VHS from the Philips VCR to DV in my camcoder? I means what kind of connection do I need between VCR and Camcoder?

Thanks
Paul

[bb]

There are SCART-to-AV adapters available (SCART on the one end, 2xaudio, 1xvideo on the other). I'd look out for an adapter with switchable in/out direction - usually a switch on the SCART plug.

There are also SCART adapters with S-Video plugs (mine is a combined SCART to S-Video/AV). In theory you should get better quality using S-Video because of the signal separation. Simply try what works best for you.

By the way: the (front) AV plugs of VCRs I have seen so far do not support the output direction.

bb

[paul8883]

Thanks bb. I would try to find one and give it a try.

Thanks again.

[paul8883]

hi bb, it works! I bought an adapter SCART <-> S-Video/AV with a switch like you say. But for output (SCART out), seems it work only SCART->AV, if I connect also the s-video from the adapter to camcoder, the colour becomes black & white. Do you know why?
Anyway with VCR->SCART->AV->Camcoder->firewire(dv out)->PC, I successfuly to convert my VHS tape to type 2 avi. Now I'm trying to convert it to standard VCD. DO you have any suggestion on which program I should use.
I have tried Mainconcept and Procoder, seems no big difference. The quality is not good because the original avi is not very good too. Is there any sence to convert it to SVCD/CVD even the dv comes from low quality VHS?

Thanks
P.

[bb]

If you get b/w picture when using the S-Video cable, your SCART is probably not prepared for S-Video output. I had a TV set which had a special (red) SCART plug for S-Video.

If you browse through the "Capturing Video" forum you'll find a lot of information on how to improve the quality of VHS captures and how to encode. If I were you I'd go for SVCD or CVD. VCD usually gives worse quality, even with low-quality sources.

bb