Video Tape Conversion Project On Fedora??

treedstang · 07-06-2005, 11:37 PM

I wanted to know if someone could point me in the right direction on setting up my computer to connect my VCR to it and transfer video from from the VCR to my computer and record it on a DVD.

What hardware do I need besides a DVD RW drive.

Also what Linux software in Fedora 4 will allow me to make this all work nicely??

I'm sure I could do in Windows as well but I want this to be a 100% Linux Project . I'm sure I need a video card please provide model and prices if possible

auditek747 · 07-07-2005, 02:57 AM

Well I never learned how to make a video DVD because I don't have a
DVD burner, but I do have a tv card. (bt878 based)

I run a coax from my vcr out to the tv card in and record with Mencoder. (Mplayer)

Code:

mencoder -oac lavc -lavcopts acodec=mp3 -ovc lavc -lavcopts vbitrate=2400 -tv driver=v4l:norm=ntsc:channel=03:chanlist=us-cable:adevice=/dev/dsp:width=640:height=480 -o myvid.avi tv://

This is the command I use. This is with 2.4.x kernel, it's slightly different with 2.6.x. See "man mencoder" .
This will get you a decent avi and a search of LQ should turn up instructions for converting to a
proper mpeg.

I'm not really sure but I think encoding to mpeg during capture can use a bit too much cpu for
things to be smooth.

dtra · 07-07-2005, 03:29 AM

also might want to try http://www.videohelp.com
there is a linux video forum there, and they have tutorials, although most of them are prolly for windows