Recording VHS to Computer...

[Weirded Wonder]

Just curious as to what the best way to ensure you get 100% quality from VHS to your computer.

Are the DVHS/DVD burners any good? What's the best one? Are there any with Firewire out so you can put VHS right to the computer this way?

I've been using an industrial VHS along with my ADVD-300, but I still think I can get better quality using something else.

[brettallica]

If your DVD recorder has FireWire -- I believe ALL Sony DVD recorders do (mine does) -- then you should be able to hook up the DVD recorder directly into the computer's FireWire port. Both Windows and Mac have native software for capturing video over FireWire, so it's pretty easy to do straight out of the box as long as you're equipped. There is no better way to get VHS recorded that I know, unless you're talking about some kind of crazy professional gear, which I don't think you are.

[Weirded Wonder]

I have an expensive industrial VCR, but I bought it the year before they started releasing some with Firewire. I had no idea they were going to be doing that the next year, I would have waited. These machines brand new are in the thousands and I don't really have the funds to purchase another new one. I need the money for new film equipment, which is expensive.
I'm asking mainly because I transfer VHS as a side job, and was looking for something better.

[brettallica]

I hear you. What about picking up something along the lines of a VHS-to-DVD recorder? You can buy those now for under $200. Mine was much more expensive only three years ago ($400ish), but obviously they've come way down. From that recorder you can stream to your computer.

[OrlandoEastwood]

My old 2003 Dell Desktop had a capture device that you can hook your video source up via RCA cords. So, I've used that. I had to buy an RCA split for the audio since VCRs, well most, only have 1 RCA out for the audio. So that meant that you would only get audio on one side which sucks so the split was needed.