Tech Tips
Toss out those old VHS tapes and transfer them to DVD!
Save your home videos to DVD
By Matt Lichtenberg
About a year ago, my Auntie Donna gave me a VHS tape of old home movies that she had transferred from film. After digging through storage to find my dusty VCR and hooking it up to my TV, I sat down and watched the tape. The two-hour tape included video of my parents that was recorded over 35 years ago (before they became known as Mom and Dad). I thought they’d like to have these special moments (including their wedding) on a DVD to watch on TV. So that’s how my anniversary gift project started.
Perhaps you too have a VHS tape (or stack of them) that you want to transfer to DVD. If so, this column might help you out. It describes the steps I took to transfer the video from the VHS tape to my computer, edit the video to only include parts that showed my parents, and then burn the edited video to a DVD. I also include some time-saving tips that I discovered along the way.
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| Transfer video from your VHS tapes to a DVD-Video disc |
Before you start
Before you tackle a project like this, you’ll want to make sure you have everything you need, including the right computer software and hardware, and the appropriate video equipment. Here’s what I used:
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A computer running Windows Vista Home Premium, which includes Windows Movie Maker and Windows DVD Maker. (Windows Movie Maker and Windows DVD Maker are also included in Windows Vista Ultimate.) |
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VCR |
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VHS tape |
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Audio/Video (A/V) cable This cable is usually included with a digital video (DV) camera and often has red, white, and yellow RCA connectors on one end and a single Mini A/V connector on the other end. |
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DVD burner |
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Recordable DVD |
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IEEE 1394 cable (also known as FireWire or i.Link) |
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DV camera |
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DVD player |
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Microsoft Digital Image Suite 2006 |
For additional information and steps on how to transfer your home videos to DVD, click here.
Having trouble with finding where your favorite office commands are located?
The visual interactive guides available on Microsoft's website will help you become more familiar with where to find them.
All of your familiar menu items that used to be under the "File" menu can now be found by clicking the Microsoft circular icon in the upper left corner.
In Word, if you are looking for that "page setup" features, all of those items can be found on the "Page Layout" tab.
Looking to create Mailing Labels...those can be found on the "Mailings" tab.
That "Quick Access" toolbar that is located just to
the right of the Microsoft circular logo, you can add commands to that
for quicker reference.
1. Click on the Microsoft Office Button (the circular
icon)
2. Click Excel Options
3. Click Customization
4. In the Choose Commands From drop-down box, select
"all commands"
5. Select either "for all documents (default) or a
specific document
6. Click the command that you want to add.
7. Repeat for each command that you want to add.
8. Click the Move Up or Move Down arrow buttons to
arrange the commands in the order
that you want them.
9. Click OK
Having Trouble Opening Office 2007 Files?
Are you having trouble opening Office 2007 files from a colleague? Download the free compatibility pack from Microsoft Office and you'll be able to open, edit and save files in the new file formats for Office 2007.
Download Compatibility Pack Here
Signs of Viruses: Are you infected?
After you open and run an infected program or attachment on your computer, you might not realize that you've introduced a virus until you notice something isn't quite right.
Here are a few primary indicators that your computer might be infected:
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Your computer runs more slowly than normal |
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Your computer stops responding or locks up often |
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Your computer crashes and restarts every few minutes |
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Your computer restarts on its own and then fails to run normally |
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Applications on your computer don't work correctly |
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Disks or disk drives are inaccessible |
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You can't print correctly |
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You see unusual error messages |
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You see distorted menus and dialog boxes |
These are common signs of infection—but they might also indicate hardware or software problems that have nothing to do with a virus. Unless you run the Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool and install industry-standard, up-to-date antivirus software on your computer, there is no way to be certain if your computer is infected with a virus or not. If you don't have current antivirus software installed or if you're interested in installing a different brand, you can try Windows Live OneCare free for 90 days or visit our Security software downloads page for software from other companies.
Tip: Beware of messages warning you that you sent e-mail that contained a virus. This can indicate that the virus has listed your e-mail address as the sender of tainted e-mail. This does not necessarily mean you have a virus. Some viruses have the ability to forge e-mail addresses.