dimend wrote:I just want to copy old home movies from VCr to my computer, is this as easy as it sounds? Is the quality at least acceptable? I bought a pioneer at woot a few years back and never could get it to work. then I got a pinnacle and could not get sound. I JUST WANT TO COPY MY HOME MOVIES!!! WAAAAA!

OH yeah, also, can you just plug a hard drive the USB port on DVR (like tivo) and record that way, please say yes!!!::???

Yes it is just as easy as it sounds, and no you can plug a hard drive into it. You have to use the software provided to start and stop recording, where you want it stored, etc. It is all fairly easy to connect and run, I set mine up in the evening and let it copy a tape every night, and when I awoke it was fine.

BlindWilly wrote:I purchased ION's USB turntable a while back. (before being offered on woot, even)
It was a GREAT turntable and very easy to use, I'm sure this is too...
Just make sure you research the formats it copy's to.
Will it work with Win7? Does it crash with Vista? If I have XP, am I safe? Why do I have 98 and nothing works anymore?
That being said, My turntable is Linux compatible ;)

I'm sure the video quality will all as good as the audio quality of that "GREAT" turntable. LOL!

tatterbits wrote:I wish it was a cassette to computer converter, I would be allll over it...

ION does make a cassette-to-mp3 converter.
http://www.amazon.com/Ion-Tape2PC-USB-Cassette-Deck/dp/B000VG802I/ref=pd_bxgy_e_text_b

BUT... you CAN use this VCR to convert anything (including cassette tape) to computer files. See the audio in RCA plug in the front of the unit? Plug your cassette player into that and run it in to your computer ... a little fiddling with volumes and levels, strip the audio-only off the resulting file and voila. No stereo, but no major expenditure.

I wooted the ION LP-to-MP3 converter; it works fine and it has STEREO inputs which I have used to run a cassette player through to the computer.

(BTW it'd be pretty easy to run a line from an unused video-out or tape-out on the back of your stereo into the line-in on your computer, to put your cassettes on the computer)

DEAR WOOT:

THIS IS NOT A JOKE !

I CANNOT believe that BY NOW, you don't automatically tells us if the item is

MAC COMPATIBLE !

Get with it. Mac's have
gotten so popular again, STOP catering to PC
users and give the potential WOOTERS the information they need before purchasing products.

Why do you think the "Does it work with MAC ?" question has become such a joke on WOOT ?

GIVE US THE INFORMATION up front, instead of making us ask all the time !

My first woot!!!!!

I'll definately get my $29 out of this dude.

Will it remove closed captioning once transfer into computer? I wonder...

Can you guys test it for me?

Hmmm... why would I spend $400 on a decent video capture board when I can buy this? Maybe because of the horrendous resolution loss and dropped frames and audio quality of the copy. But then again who would care watching it on a small computer screen. Results are comparable to non HQ Youtube videos.

Got it at the last Woot-off and I now have over 60 hours of old VHS tapes on an external hard drive. Highly recommend this if you have a lot of VHS tapes that you want to convert digital. My parents were ecstatic that I was able to do this for them. Kind of tedious because it records in real-time, but worth it in the end.

I use a Panasonic DVD recorder connected to a Panasonic VHS with s-video, and HiFi out.

Much better, and saved to DVD, which can convert to anything, plus I have a non-volatile hard backup.

mono out makes this a no-go.

If you buy one of the ATI TV Wonder USB Digital HDTV Tuner's that WOOT has or sellout has on occasion (refurbished for 19.99), it has composite input, so you can run your old VCR into it and record your old tapes.

Then you also have HDTV on your computer too. Better deal in my opinion.

once i put my VHS movies on my P.C can i then transfer them to CD ????

Kn1nJa wrote:I am saddened that this can not play Beta....

It does play Beta... only if you have a Beta player which plugs into the front jacks... same as 8mm or other format.

Mac Compatability

From the manufactures webiste:

"VCR 2 PC was designed for use with PCs running Windows, and is not compatible with Macintosh computers at this time. However, the finished files created with the included software can play on a Macintosh using QuickTime 8."

RichUrm wrote:I agree and I hope Woot is listening!

Check out Audacity; it's free and works just fine

Err.. according to this link, it doesn't support Mac
http://www.ionaudio.com/vcr2pc

Gardian wrote:Got this from there website:
System Requirements
USB port
CD drive
PC: Windows XP (32-bit or 64-bit) or Vista (32-bit or 64-bit)
Mac: OS X 10.4* or later

For all the non-geeks out there (hard to find on Woot) just trying to copy your VHS tapes...

If you just want to copy your old VHS home movies to DVDs (without editing) why not skip a step and buy a cheap DVD recorder. Plug in your VHS machine or video camera (for all you Hi-8 and other video camera format folks) and burn directly to a DVD? While you probably won't be able to find one for $34.99, they're still out there pretty cheap. I burned all my old home videos (and many friend's home videos) directly to DVD -- works great. As a side bonus, if you don't have a TIVO/DVR, you can also copy (non HD) TV shows to DVD - you can use DVD-RW so you can record again and again.

Of course there are also VHS/DVD recorder combos out there that allow you to do the same thing with a single machine...

So we have two competing authorities on Mac compatibility. Great.

sssprinkle wrote:For all the non-geeks out there (hard to find on Woot) just trying to copy your VHS tapes...

If you just want to copy your old VHS home movies to DVDs (without editing) why not skip a step and buy a cheap DVD recorder.

Because DVDs are just about as dead as VHS tapes. I think most of use want digital files as archives first and then on media if need be.

Do you have to sync it using i-Video to play it on a Mac?

Anyone know if the software with the device will work on a Mac? I saw it's a no-go for Windows 7.... also no reply earlier on the type of video file it outputs. Anyone know?

Hiker_jay wrote:Mac Compatability

From the manufactures webiste:

"VCR 2 PC was designed for use with PCs running Windows, and is not compatible with Macintosh computers at this time. However, the finished files created with the included software can play on a Macintosh using QuickTime 8."

Thanks! you totally just saved me $30.

This would be perfect for my local library, as they could finally abolish their "massive" VHS collection and go all digital.

Seriously, they have hundreds of old VHS tapes mixed with the new DVDs and it makes for a frustrating time while trying to look for movies to rent (and why not rent from the library, it's free).

CRM114 wrote:Because DVDs are just about as dead as VHS tapes. I think most of use want digital files as archives first and then on media if need be.

Agreed! It has been proven that those old analog tapes will last MUCH longer (decades) in storage than CDs and DVDs (years).

Does anyone know of a device like this that will convert 8mm and super 8??? I have boxes and boxes of them and can't afford to send them to an outsource company.

Thanks

RaisinROM wrote:DEAR WOOT:

THIS IS NOT A JOKE !

I CANNOT believe that BY NOW, you don't automatically tells us if the item is

MAC COMPATIBLE !

Get with it. Mac's have
gotten so popular again, STOP catering to PC
users and give the potential WOOTERS the information they need before purchasing products.

Why do you think the "Does it work with MAC ?" question has become such a joke on WOOT ?

GIVE US THE INFORMATION up front, instead of making us ask all the time !

Macs make up less than 10% of the market share, so that's probably why they don't bother

Nckealy wrote:Does anyone know of a device like this that will convert 8mm and super 8??? I have boxes and boxes of them and can't afford to send them to an outsource company.

Thanks

As long as you have the adapter cradle I don't see any reason why it wouldn't

CRM114 wrote:Because DVDs are just about as dead as VHS tapes. I think most of use want digital files as archives first and then on media if need be.

Well, my VHS tapes were starting to deteriorate (I'm pretty old), so I was looking to put them on a format that would stop the deterioration (no discussions on how long DVDs last please). Now I have all my home movies on a longer lasting, much smaller format, with the ability to fast forward (and all those other neat DVD things) without running the already old tapes through the read heads again and again...It was cheap and easy...

As an aside, I have video capture capabilities on my computer...I routinely make Hi-Def movies using the widely discussed Pinnacle Software (Horrors!).... but, as I noted, for the non-geek who doesn't want to hook stuff up to their computer....but rather just wants to reduce the clutter of all those VHS tapes (and not lose baby's first steps due to tape degredation) the stand alone or combo DVD recorder MAY be a more elegant solution...it was for me...

shermansuz wrote:HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO CONVERT?

It's one-to-one, on the fly conversion. A 60 minute tape takes 60 minutes.

msruru wrote:I really want this, but am in the middle of a move. Not only will I not have room for it, I know it won't be used for at least a few months. Hopefully this item shows up again on Woot.

Is this information we really needed to know? Cummon people, lets just post things that are releavant to the woot being offered. Stop wasting everyiones time with off topic comments that do not add value.

mbreau wrote:Anyone know if the software with the device will work on a Mac? I saw it's a no-go for Windows 7.... also no reply earlier on the type of video file it outputs. Anyone know?

I use it with Windows 7 - no issues at all, it works very well.

Where's the shipping information?

How is this shipping, Woot?

Morning,

Will this thing capture shows from my Tivo DVR, and put them on my laptop?

I would love to get some shows on DVD for later.

pulsar77 wrote:Is this information we really needed to know? Cummon people, lets just post things that are releavant to the woot being offered. Stop wasting everyiones time with off topic comments that do not add value.

yeah, and let's check our posts for spelling and punctuation too (cummon, releavant and everyiones??)

sssprinkle wrote:For all the non-geeks out there (hard to find on Woot) just trying to copy your VHS tapes...

If you just want to copy your old VHS home movies to DVDs (without editing) why not skip a step and buy a cheap DVD recorder. Plug in your VHS machine or video camera (for all you Hi-8 and other video camera format folks) and burn directly to a DVD? While you probably won't be able to find one for $34.99, they're still out there pretty cheap. I burned all my old home videos (and many friend's home videos) directly to DVD -- works great. As a side bonus, if you don't have a TIVO/DVR, you can also copy (non HD) TV shows to DVD - you can use DVD-RW so you can record again and again.

Of course there are also VHS/DVD recorder combos out there that allow you to do the same thing with a single machine...

People want these on their PCs because they easily want to post to Youtube or watch them on Home-theater PCs.

Plus, we all know recordable DVDs have a limited shelf-life. At least on a harddrive or Youtube, you've got greater longevity, and you can always transfer from one to another easily (e.g., old harddrive to a newer harddrive).

From the website Mac Fans

#
Is VCR 2 PC compatible with Macintosh computers?

VCR 2 PC was designed for use with PCs running Windows, and is not compatible with Macintosh computers at this time. However, the finished files created with the included software can play on a Macintosh using QuickTime 8.

cstennie wrote:Macs make up less than 10% of the market share, so that's probably why they don't bother

Actually, Macs make up between 2-4% of consumer market share. Why anyone would buy a $3000 laptop that cost $1000 in parts alone is beyond me...

Argghh.. spent too long researching and it sold out.

huntrm wrote:People want these on their PCs because they easily want to post to Youtube or watch them on Home-theater PCs.

Plus, we all know recordable DVDs have a limited shelf-life. At least on a harddrive or Youtube, you've got greater longevity, and you can always transfer from one to another easily (e.g., old harddrive to a newer harddrive).

YouTube? Home Theater PCs? What part of "For all you NON-GEEKS out there" did you not friggin' understand??

Are you going to ask if this works on a MAC next?

I get it...DVDs may not last forever...Hard Drives don't either...and MAYBE if you put a VHS on a shelf next to a DVD the VHS would last longer...but my wife likes to watch the old home movies...and I guarantee you that a VHS tape run through the read heads on a VCR again and again definitely will NOT last longer than a DVD...and I can dupe a DVD again and again as well...

So, I was proposing an alternative to hooking up a machine to the PC, and then maybe burning a DVD (skipping a step) - Why? Because some people just want to watch those home movies in the comfort of their living room...no streaming...no Wi-Fi enabled HDTV so they can watch YouTube...

Just a basic, elegant NON-GEEK solution...not the only solution, just a proposed alternative...

But hey, thanks for criticizing my post...what would the Woot forums be without folks like you?

nicklogan wrote:Yes it is just as easy as it sounds, and no you can plug a hard drive into it. You have to use the software provided to start and stop recording, where you want it stored, etc. It is all fairly easy to connect and run, I set mine up in the evening and let it copy a tape every night, and when I awoke it was fine.

Works great for me!

cstennie wrote:Macs make up less than 10% of the market share, so that's probably why they don't bother

I don't think adding TWO or THREE WORDS to a description is going to kill them. I can't imagine it's THAT difficult to get the information.

All they have to do is say "MAC COMPATIBLE" or
"NOT MAC COMPATIBLE". It's more friendly to INCLUDE the MAC people and it could increase their business, even if only by 10% :-)