Is the best way is to upload it on external HD[prices are going down
should I Convert to digital from my VHS, save as a digital
backup ,edit DIRECTLY
on the fast, external HDD and save the originals as well as edited
version back on the same HDD.
I have ~60 hrs. of old VHS plus another 30HRS of DV.
What do you guys think??? What size and brend ?

I mean to capture, edit etc. just like with internal HD without
loosing frames or quality !
..I thought with DVD I will loose quality if I'll want to edit it too.
Just To capture it through the comp directly to external drive
without having to copy it to the internal drive for the edit.
And then , Detach and save it forever [On WD?]

"dash" wrote ...
And "it" means what, exactly?

And prices for internal HD are going down even faster.

If you want to edit the video, then yes, you would want
to capture your video from VHS onto video files on a
hard drive (internal or external).

It is doubtful that any "digital backup" will outlast the
tapes as they sit right now on the shelf.

I use external hard drives to do this all the time. I use raw
hard drives and a USB2 to IDE adapter/cable to plug them
into the computer. Works great for me.


Yes capture and edit on your PC. But keep the original tapes
as the best "backup" available.

I buy whatever size and brand has the best capacity for
the money. I don't know that there is any significant
difference in performance or longevity between the brands
currently on the market.

In my experience, external USB2 drives are capable of
doing that.

Yes regular consumer DVD is significantly lower quality
than DV. You didn't mention how you would capture the
VHS, however, so no comparison is possible.


Don't plan on any hard drive lasting "forever" (or even half
of "forever"). I have had drives die just sitting on the shelf in
less than 2 years. Your best bet for long-term archive is digital
tape (DV).