HOW TO CREATE YOUR OWN VCD
EQUIPMENT
NEEDED
HARDWARE
- Video Cassette Deck / Video
Camera
- Computer With Sufficient Harddisk
(to store the .avi or .mpg files) and RAM (to edit and process the files)
- CD Writer
- Video Capture Card ( & Soundcard
if the video capture card does not come with audio I/O)
- Interconnect cables for connection
between the VCR / Cam and the video capture card / soundcard
SOFTWARE
- Video Recording Software
- Special Effects Plug-in (Optional)
- CD Authoring Software
CONNECTIONS
& PROCEDURES
- Connect the
VIDEO OUT of the VCR / Video Cam
to
the VIDEO IN
of the Video Capture Card
- Connect the
AUDIO OUT
of the VCR / Video Cam
to
the respective AUDIO IN of the Video Capture Card /
Soundcard
- Ensure the
LINE IN Fader on the audio mixer of the
computer is not muted
- Launch the video recording software
- Depending on the software used,
activate and check all the settings to allow recording
- If possible, monitor the incoming
audio signal from the VCR / Video Cam
to ensure the incoming signal is not clipping (Too
Hot; Levels Too High)
- Set the appropriate
levels for
recording and rewind the tape
- Activate
the recording on
the computer and playback
the tape
- Once the material on the tape
has been recorded into the computer, save the material as .AVI format or .MPG format (depending on the software used).
- Do your editing or add effects
if you wish.
- Next, close the recording software
(Be sure to save all your work) and launch the CD authoring software
- Select for Video CD
writing and import the .avi or .mpg files
- Load in a blank CDR disc and
write
to the disc using disc-at-once mode
and finalized.(Exact procedure of writing would be dependent on the software
used)
SUGGESTIONS
- Chose a good CDR disc to ensure
durability and intergity of the disc.
- Try with different brands to see which works well with your CD writer and
can playback on your CD Player.
- Remember that the limit for a regular CDR is 74mins of audio or 650M byte
of data.
- If you use a 80mins CDR disc, make sure both the CD
writer and CD authoring software supports it.
- There are many software out there, some are specifically fo recording or CD
authoring while others are an all-in-one solution.
- Pick
one that is most suitable to your needs, applications and budget.
- Ultimately,
the quality of your end result will depend on several things such as the inital
quality of the tape, the quality of the video capture card & soundcard used,
the power and flexibility of the computer, recording software, etc.
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