View primo road race footage screened from '82 to '89

[multihull]

Attn: Post Classic Racers/enthusiasts/clubs;

If anyone is interested (or knows of anyone) in converting 16 x 3 hour Beta tapes onto DVD (I have the Beta player) of all national and international race footage screened on Aussie tv between '82 and '89, they are most welcome to my collection and player in exchange for the conversion. (I'll pay for the DVDS).

Footage includes the Swann Insurance, Arai 500, Bathurst, Shell Oil and Castrol 6 Hour production race series among many others. Plus some Wanganui Boxing day meetings featuring the Aussie contingent.

Kiwi racers include, Robert Holden, David and Neville Hiscock, Robert Toohmy (sp?), Richard Scott, Mike Pero, Graham Crosby to name a few.

Aussie racers Wayne Gardener & John Pace - (The great '82 Castrol 6hr win at Amaroo), Rob Phillis, Andrew Johnson, Malcome Campbell, Greg Hansford, Len Willing, Cole, Kevin Magee, Darrell Beaty, Byers plus heaps more. Plus of course the World Super Bikes and 500cc super stars of Crosby, Roberts, Lawson, Spencer, Unchini, Mamola, Rainey etc.

Main production wars of the early 80s were between GSX1100's including the Katana specials and Honda production race CB1100R's. The 250 production scene was thriving and hot. Kawasaki Superbikes of Eddie Lawson were king in America at the time before the narrow focused race replicas hit the scene.

[merv]

I'd be up for buying a copy of the completed DVD but don't really have the means to do the copying for you.

[forkoil]

I'd be up for buying a copy of the completed DVD but don't really have the means to do the copying for you.

Likewise, I know most of the Kiwi guys (Bob Toomey by the way) from the Wellington Mcycle Centre racing days. The famous "black piped Suzuki". Would be interested in paying a reasonable sum for the DVD, but dont have the means to do the copying :(

[insane1]

would be very interested in said copy of dvd .

[slowpoke]

Bloody hell, what a blast from the past....and I was just talking to a mate about the glory days of NZ/Oz Road Racing, spooooooky.........

Same here dude, sign me up for a copy of said DVD, could be a nice lil' earner for you!

[erik]

I've got the means, but it'd be a hell of a long job.

Each tape would require the 3 hours to record it to the computer hard drive, then another 3 or so hours to encode it to dvd video, then just half an hour to an hour to burn and verify it on a DVD disc. I think 3 hours can be fit on one dvd-r, but would have to see what the quality looked like.
That's not 3 hours of constant attention, you can set it going and leave it, but the computer would be in use the whole time, during capturing you couldn't use the computer for anything that might tax the CPU, and when you're encoding it to DVD, it'll be using all the CPU it can so anything you try running will be slow.

I had a look at www.qmb.co.nz (computer store) and they've got a PixelView video capture card that says it encodes straight to mpeg2 (which is I think the compression that DVD's use) so at a guess that might cut the time in half - but I'm not sure.

If you've got about 40GB of free harddrive space, a fast enough computer (at a guess over 1GHz would be ok) and a dvd burner, all you'd need would be a $80 tv capture card and some free software. And lots of time!

Going by what these guys (http://www.convertit.co.nz/video_dvd.htm) charge, it'd be just under a grand for the 16 dvd's (they'd also have to be dual layer, according to them, but I still think 3 hours might be possible on a single layer dvd-r).

Sorry I can't help, it's just too big a job and I use my computer too much to be able to devote that much time to converting videos.

[Skunk]

I'd be into a DVD. I'll check around as to the conversion.

[bistard]

If you guys can come up with a method to change them over
I will be in for a copy,for sure
Let me know

[multihull]

Thanks heaps for the insight and the info. I'll contact 'convertit.co.nz' and get a quote for bulk. I didn't factor in what time and gear would be involved!

I was thinking, if more guys are keen on aquiring this footage then please let me know. If we get enough 'Confirmed' takers then I'll get the pro's to convert it and devide the costs to reduce costs for all interested.

Another option might be for me to burn final DVD duplicates and sell selected footage to individuals to help recoupe costs. Bare in mind - we're talking 'Hundreds' of hours nostalgic/historic race footage including some interviews and documentaries never to be seen again otherwise.

Anyway, I'll keep this alive for a while incase someone comes along with the time and motivation in exchange for free footage.




I've got the means, but it'd be a hell of a long job.

Each tape would require the 3 hours to record it to the computer hard drive, then another 3 or so hours to encode it to dvd video, then just half an hour to an hour to burn and verify it on a DVD disc. I think 3 hours can be fit on one dvd-r, but would have to see what the quality looked like.
That's not 3 hours of constant attention, you can set it going and leave it, but the computer would be in use the whole time, during capturing you couldn't use the computer for anything that might tax the CPU, and when you're encoding it to DVD, it'll be using all the CPU it can so anything you try running will be slow.

I had a look at www.qmb.co.nz (computer store) and they've got a PixelView video capture card that says it encodes straight to mpeg2 (which is I think the compression that DVD's use) so at a guess that might cut the time in half - but I'm not sure.

If you've got about 40GB of free harddrive space, a fast enough computer (at a guess over 1GHz would be ok) and a dvd burner, all you'd need would be a $80 tv capture card and some free software. And lots of time!

Going by what these guys (http://www.convertit.co.nz/video_dvd.htm) charge, it'd be just under a grand for the 16 dvd's (they'd also have to be dual layer, according to them, but I still think 3 hours might be possible on a single layer dvd-r).

Sorry I can't help, it's just too big a job and I use my computer too much to be able to devote that much time to converting videos.

[erik]

You could also try contacting http://www.expressvideo.co.nz/ for a quote to compare prices/service. Those are just two NZ places I found with a quick google search, there might be others worth checking out too.

[twinshock750]

I'd be in a for a copy also.


The postie club would also probably be keen to spread the word.

Ed of the magazine is g.moor@xtra.co.nz

[Ivan]

Id be keen for a copy

[Kickaha]

Add my name to the list as well

[multihull]

Thanks for everyones expressions of interest. Finally found a local company to convert all tapes to DVD. (there was 21 tapes all up)

Will be selling the original tapes and Beta recorder to help recoup costs. Same with selected copies of DVDs so if your interested stay in touch...

[stormboy]

Has anyone got pics or any history on Len Willing in Australia please?

[fatboy1]

Keen for a copy as well.

[kel worley]

hi i was great mates with len willing for most of his life what did you want to know about him kel worley i was also in europe when cros first went over i also knew scotty and met dave hiscock i travelled with jeff sayle and mick smith and followed greg hansford like a love sick puppy had my 21st over there am 53 now loved lenny he was top man

[kel worley]

you could talk to dick smith electronics its big in oz you play your beta tapes and record to dvd then onto computer disc from there you can burn numbers fairly quickly my wife has done batchs of old videos this way without much problems kel worley

[gammaguy]

sad to say I read somewhere Len Willing has passed away.

I tried to find more details on the WWW but theres bugger all there,he is not even on Wikipedia.

He was a great racer,about the time I first got started in the early 80's

[ttelp15]

I have no idea when it comes to that new fang-dangled computer stuff - but keen as hell on a nice simple DVD.

[Dadpole]

My hand is up for a copy too.
When you decide on someone to do the job, let them know that in the event of a fuck-up, they will have to deal with a bunch of angry (and incredibly old) bikers. :bash:

[FruitLooPs]

Guys this thread started in 2007, thats when people were putting their hands up for the DVD's. Not sure how much luck you would have acquiring a copy but you can only ask I guess. :)

[miper]

Yep put me down for a copy as well