Vista - copying old vcr tapes

Hello from a computer veteran(UK) but VISTA forum newcomer & media beginner(relatively).

I'll admit to being slow to accept VISTA (had it about 18months on my COMPAQ Presario) but gradually coming to terms

When I bought compaq it came without a TV card. My main PC use is research and photography (had a Nikon Coolpix about 10 years).......so NO TV card.

I found a grabber advertised that said it would do the job but I did not want to jump in.

I have in my spares box all the cables and scart connector (not firewire connector but the socket, yes) that let me hang the VCR off the existing PC boards. (some go back to when I had to make my own VCR slideshows from my NIKON.)

Yesterday the PCWORLD techie told me VISTA MOVIE MAKER would do the job.

I read online:

VIdeo cannot be imported from an analog video camera or VCR when using Import Video or Windows Movie Maker. To import video from an analog video camera or VCR, you need to have an analog video capture device installed on your computer, and then use software that enables you to import video from an analog capture device. For more information, check the documentation that came with your analog capture device or go to the manufacturer's website.


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If this is true(that capture device must be installed on PC) , how will buying the grab cable do the job if I don't have one, which I don't!

Movie Maker certainly does not let me in
I have tried to be explicit for I reckon we usually have 3 goes in a forum to find a solution before confusion/diversion sets in.

I have seen several discussions on similar problems. I want to keep this simple for all our sakes
Linnet

I sorted it thanks, so must take some notes !!!

I just bought a Sony VCR to DVD unit. It has been an excellent investment. I can also make DVD from my DVR. It does not allow copy protected media from being copied.

A cousin of mine has a VCR-to-USB unit, that records the video to a file that gets stored on to a USB device that you connect to the unit.

Not seen it in action myself, so can't say how good it is.

Be a sport, and do post how you sorted it