Converting Video from VHS (Analog) to WMV (Digital)

You can convert movies and video clips on VHS cassettes (analog) into WMV format (digital video) using the Hauppauge Win/TV Video Capture Card. WMV files can be played on Windows Media Player, sent via e-mail, and posted to Web pages.

1. Check Out VCR and Headphones from Library. In order to transfer images from VHS to WMV you will first need to check out from the library a VCR on which to play your cassettes. You will also need to check out from the library a pair of headphones with which to monitor sound quality.

2. Choose the Correct Lab Computer. Next, you will need to choose the correct lab computer on which to work. The Hauppauge video card is located on only one computer, The computer next to the HP Digital Sender in the Library Lab, LibLab10.

3. Place VCR on table near computer. Remove the VCR from its box and place it on top of the computer. The computer should be labeled "R124-8."

4. Plug VCR Into Power Bar. Plug the VCR power cord into the power bar.

5. Attach RCA Cable to VCR. On the back of the VCR, attach the RCA cable to the "Out" jacks as follows: top = red (right audio), middle = white (left audio), bottom = yellow (video).

6. Attach RCA Cable to Computer. On the back of the computer, attach the RCA cable as follows: red (right) audio = Line In jack (blue) (via RCA/Mini-DIM adapter), yellow (video) = RCA video jack (located to the left of the coaxial jack). Note that the white (left) audio plug is left unattached. Note also that the headphone plug is connected to the headphone jack on the front of the PC (headphones are needed for monitoring sound quality).

7. Log On and Open Windows Media Encoder. After you log onto the network, open the encoder application: Start --> All Programs --> Windows Media --> Windows Media Encoder.

8.New Session Wizard. Choose "Broadcast, Capture, or Convert a file using the New Session Wizard" in the "Welcome" dialog box.

9. Choose Attached Devices Choose "Capture Audio or Video from attached devices or computer screen" in the new session wizard and click "Next."

10. Choose Custom Video Capture. In the "Windows Media Encoder" wizard, change "Audio Capture" to "SoundMAX Digital Audio" and change "Video Capture" to "Hauppauge Win/TV Video Capture Driver". Click "Next" to continue.

11. Select Output File In the New Session Wizard, click browse. Click the drop down arrow at the top of the window and choose your P drive (or X drive).  Type in your desired filename in the File Name field near the bottom of the window and then click on "Save".  Click on "Next".

12. Choose Output File Distribution. In the New Session wizard, choose "File will stream from a Web server or play directly on a computer" and click "Next" to continue.

13. Select the profile. In the new session wizard, choose the "WM8 Video for LAN Delivery [100K bps, 240x180, 15 fps]" profile and click "Next" to continue.

14. Enter Title, Author, etc. In the New Session wizard, fill in any of the information you would like and click "Next" to continue.

15. Settings Review. This screen is like a summary to let you know what you have done so far.  Click "Finish" to continue.

18. Verify Audio Source. Click the "Mixer" button at the bottom left of the window.  In the window that pops up, verify that the checkbox below "Line In" is selected and then close the window

19. Begin Encoding. Push the "Play" button on the VCR and click "Start" at the bottom right of the Windows Media Encoder Window simultaneously. You should see the "Play" command in the "Video Preview" window and then you will begin to see and hear your video.

21. Stop the Encoder and the VCR. When recording is complete, click the "Stop" button (right below the start button) in the bottom right of the "Windows Media Encoder" application window and press the "Stop" button on the VCR. You will see a dialog box asking if you are sure you would like to stop encoding. Click Yes on this dialogue box.

22. Encoding Results Screen.  The next screen that pops up will have the results of the encoding session.  To view the WMV file you just created, click on the "View Output File" button.

The video file that you created will be played in Windows Media Player.

24. Close Windows Media Encoder. You have now finished encoding, so you can close Windows Media Encoder (click the red X in the top right corner of the application and click "No" on the dialogue box that pops up. 

25. Add a Hyperlink to Your WMV File. To link to your WMV file from a web page, use the following HTML code:

<

A HREF="mms://www.thomas.edu/av/WMV/French_In_Action.wmv">French In Action</A>

French In Action