I would LOVE to get rid of all the VHS tapes that I've accumulated over the years.
(1) It would free up space that I'm probably going to need for DVDs.
(2) Most of the VHS tapes contain little that I want to keep. I'd like
to keep bits and pieces from each one.

These VHS tapes are all legitimately owned.  I either bought them or
copied them from TV (time-shifting). I do not intend to make money
from them.

So, the question is, is there a hardware gizmo that I could attach to
my PC, that would copy stuff from a VHS tape to my PC's hard drive?  I
could then use Windows Movie Maker to select the bits and pieces that
I want to keep.

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Request for Question Clarification by rainbow-ga on 28 Apr 2005 09:59 PDT

Hi rambler,

This link with step-by-step instructions should explain what you need
and how to transfer a VHS tape to a computer.

http://www.computing.co.uk/features/1139609

Please let me know if this answers your question.

Best regards,
Rainbow

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Clarification of Question by rambler-ga on 28 Apr 2005 14:51 PDT

To rainbow-ga:

Thank you for the link that you provided.  It looks like VHS-to-PC is
actually feasible (which surprises me, to tell the truth).

I read through the article very quickly, but it looks like I have to
connect my VCR to my PC, plus buy a video capture card, plus acquire
some video capture software.

Is there any way to avoid connecting my VCR to my PC?

They are in two different rooms, plus I'd just as soon avoid
disrupting my home entertainment center.

Isn't there some hardware that I could buy, instead of using my VCR? I
guess the answer is, "Yes, go buy another VCR".

Is that the answer? Or is there, in fact, a specialized piece of
hardware that is designed specifically for attaching to a PC in order
to read VHS tapes?

Thanks for your help.

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Request for Question Clarification by rainbow-ga on 29 Apr 2005 04:25 PDT

Hi rambler,

After further research, I have not been able to find any hardware that
is designed for attaching to a PC to read VHS cassettes. All of what I
have found is similar to the procedures as described in the link I
provided in my previous clarification.

Best of luck,
Rainbow

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Clarification of Question by rambler-ga on 29 Apr 2005 06:12 PDT

I will use the procedure as identified in your original clarification.
Please post that as your answer.

Thank you for your help.

Hi rambler,

Thank you for accepting my findings as an answer to your question.
Here is the link again:

Computing: Transvision revamp: VHS to PC
http://www.computing.co.uk/features/1139609


Search criteria:
"VHS to PC"
copy "VHS to PC"

Best wishes,
Rainbow

Fast, specific answer

Why not copy the VHS tapes to DVD instead?

You could use a wireless video sender between the VCR and the video
capture card. But you would still have to syncronise pressing the play
button on the VCR and starting the recording on the PC, or have more
editing to do.

Owain

I suspect that if anyone did make a product that allowed a VHS tape to
be read and connected directly to a computer, it would would cost more
than a VCR.

Hi rambler,

Thank you very much for the rating and tip.

Best regards,
Rainbow