New to the program and expect a big learning curve but need to copy old VHS to ME Pro.
Easy? Hard? Not posibile? What do I need to do so? Have old camara and VHS machine.
Edit - Found a video that shows how to do it - tks.
Edit 2 - Video shows how to get VHS into program - how does one get the old movie film in?
Not sure I understand your 2nd edit/question, but the basic point about importing analogue VHS footage to MEP, or any other video editing program, is that it must be digitised into a format that MEP can use. The most common format for digitised VHS seems to be DV-AVI.
But it is the actual digitisation process, especially the technology you use to carry out this process, that is the key to success or otherwise. It is possible to buy simple and quite cheap analogue to digital convertors, often using a USB connection, sometimes with "driver" software; these are "straightforward" to use but the quality of the output is frequently very disappointing, especially with regard to frame size.
For better quality you need a "better" convertor (= more expensive, often considerably more) which may be an external "box" which sits between the output of your VHS player and an input to your computer; or you can also buy/use a PCI card which sits inside your computer. PCI slots are increasingly rare in computers, it seems, and I think the cards are even rarer!
I carry out this sort of VHS to Digital (usually DVD) transfer professionally. For me, using an internal PCI card is the most convenient route.
So, to answer specifically what you write in your opening paragraph, it is possible to transfer VHS video to your computer, and hence to MEP, but it must go through an analogue to digital convertor in order to enable your computer/MEP to use it.
Hi
To add to Emmrecs answer.
When digitising VHS tape the quality of the digitised video will depend greatly on the actual quality of the recording on tape. If the tape is old and has not been wound / rewound regularly and stored in none ideal conditions, then there is likely to be some deterioration in the video.
Do not expect to get DVD video quality from the tapes. The resolution from VHS tapes is lower than that of DVD and digitising tends show up the poorer quality of taped video.
For movie film it is not easy to digitise yourself, you need special equipment for this. There are many companies on the Internet who offer film digitising services, however this can be expensive.
HTH
John EB
Tks, guys - I do appreciate it. Have been using Xara products for years now and most of it the top of the line program. They are very powerful programs that can do amazing things but although one can jump right in and use the programs, there can be a very steep learning curve to really understand and learn to use all the programs can do. I expect the same is true with Magix.
My family is the oldest and largest pottery family in the US - going back into the 1700's - and I have some old film - both sizes - and VHS that I would like to get to my computer to see if I can make them usable again. Also, a couple on FaceBook as well.
Again, appreciiate the help. - jb
Edit - Sorry, not FaceBook - YouTube. :)
Hi Jim,
I see that you've finally taken the plunge. I hope that you have the Plus or Premium version. In case you've forgotten, XARA works with MEP to create animated and static graphic overlays and masks. I have recently posted a few examples as to how this works.
As John EB pointed out, the quality will not be great. Several of us here use a plugin called Neat Video. This works wonders on reducing video noise on the imports of VHS files.
I presume that you are talking about 8mm and Super8 film. Is this correct?
For Super8, I use a transfer device that projects the image onto a screen using a mirror. The quality is reasonably good and I can record the sound digitally at the same time. However, I haven't had the same success with 8mm as the projector isn't bright enough or something. I had started scanning the filmstrips and using a program to transform the images to video. It first creates individual images from the scanned strip, and once done takes all of images to create an avi file. This is extremely time-consuming and the best bet is to have the transfers done professionally. Try to obtain the output in avi or wmv format rather than DVD and then edit in MEP.
Tks, Browj2 - we related? :)
Yes, 8 and super 8 for film.
I am a member of the largest and oldest continusly operating pottery family in the US - going back into the 1700's. We have some old film and VHS tapes of passed family members turning and I want to use them on the web site and on YouTube.
Have found out that the VHS have already be put on CD - don't know what file format. Am checking with UNC - Asheville to see if they will do the film - they have the equipment and could keep copies for their archives.
Have ME Pro, version 16 update and tried to do the "demo" but could not get it to work - loads a lot of files on the right side of the program but then nothing. I expected it to walk me through doing a program but there is no sound, nothing starting up by itself - do I need to load something or what?
Again, tks to all for the help.
Take care - jb