VHS to DVD question

[Orwell63]

I've experimented with converting VHS tapes to DVD.

I can use my TV-card to capture video from a VCR, or just use my Panasonic VHS/DVD recorder to dub videos.

However, sometimes my videos seem to be distorted on the bottom edge of the video.

I'm getting excellent quality in my dubs, but that bottom edge looks a little smeared, or something.

Has anybody else experienced this or know what causes this? -- is there a technical name for this defect in the video?

I'm trying to find the term for this, because I'm thinking sending my Panasonic DVD recorder in for repair while it's under warranty.

I'm no expert, but I suspect it has something to do with the signal output from the VCR side of the DVD recorder. Or maybe it's the actual tapes causing the defect.

[FastTadpole]

Quote:.. sometimes my videos seem to be distorted on the bottom edge of the video.

Barring a resolution, try cropping it if it doesn't take too much real estate. A good free tool if you use windows is WinFF, which is also handy when converting wmvs, mp4s and flvs. I use it all the time when converting YouTube (and other streams like Vimeo) clips for torrent dispersal in combination with KeepVid or SaveVid.

Any alternatives to rip video for less popular KeepVid / SaveVid unsupported sites? Ones I can't just trace to the video file in the source code because of Flash middleware.

I'm also looking for a free (or nicely priced) merge tool / utility to combine video and/or audio clips to one single file. Anyone got a good recommendation?

ConvertXtoDVD is my choice when creating a DVD / VOBs to pass around compilations and movies for easy play.

[Orwell63]

Thanks for the good info, FastTadpole!

For video sites, I really like "replay media capture" program

( http://www.applian.com/replay-media-catcher/demo.php )

I'd like to buy the whole suite but it's 80 bucks.

The demo version allows 100% of youtube sites (50% of all others.)

The new version (4) has the converter built in. So it's real handy now.

[FastTadpole]

(07-30-2010 06:57 AM)Orwell63 Wrote:  Thanks for the good info, FastTadpole!

For video sites, I really like "replay media capture" program

( http://www.applian.com/replay-media-catcher/demo.php )

I'd like to buy the whole suite but it's 80 bucks.

The demo version allows 100% of youtube sites (50% of all others.)

The new version (4) has the converter built in. So it's real handy now.

Thanks Orwell63 I'll have to give it a trial whirl and you are very welcome. For more goodies and tips be sure to check out the Media Tools section.

Anyone one know of any merge good tools or utilities?