VHS-to-DVD usb gizmo

[glenidol]

Woolworths advertised the Kaiser Baas VHS-to-DVD gizmo on sale in catalogue last week.
[/url]http://www.kaiserbaas.com/video_to_dvd_maker.html[/url]

On impulse I bought one as I have a few old VHS - that were never made available on DVD - that I'd like to convert to DVD.

It's specs on package say Mac 10.4, 1 gig HD space required. I had some initial problems which made me check company website to discover there was a list of recommended graphic cards not mentioned on their packaging.

I had the hookup between VHS player and iMac sorted. Had a trial run. Checked out saved mp4 to discover no sound. Dived into sound preferences and set the device as the input, before setting it off on a 1hr recording.

I came back to find a good reproduction of the old VHS - but it had recorded all the birds out on the verandah obviously via the Mac's built in microphone --- but none of the music and dialogue of the tape.

I've lodged two support requests without an answer. I'm not optimistic.

Anyone have any clues to offer please before I march it back to Woolies for a refund?

Jude

[glenidol]

Today I successfully transferred a VHS to DVD (with sound this time) - but I have a sort of interference line on the video down the extreme right side and base of the video picture both on the MPEG 4 file, and of course on the DVD.

Is this some quirk of this Kaiser Baas VHS-to-DVD gizmo? Does the same thing happen if you pipe a VHS to a digital camera and then transfer it to the Mac, can anyone tell me ?

Jude

[glenidol]

PS - answering myself
The effect I noticed is apparently called fringeing, which the computer can see but a TV cannot ... as I discovered when I finally put DVD under TV.

I successfully transferred a VHS to DVD as mpg4 cheating going direct to magic movie iDVD (being lazy and bypassing iMovie) -- Kaiser Baas advise they use DV PAL setting on the one Mac they have makes bigger file but high quality output. Bit of experimentation needed.

I've told company support their Mac instructions is woeful - they say they are working on it. I pointed out it doesn't say on packaging you need to check your graphic card to see if its is supported for this gadget. List on Kaiser Baas Website
http://www.kaiserbaas.com.au/video_to_dvd_maker.html

I have to say I was pleased with the result of the one DVD I have burned so far.

Jude