Torrents of Classic Canadian Matches

[Massive Attack]

I was wondering if someone could make digital copies of some of Canada's classic games and then have them hosted on a Bit Torrent site. I recently bought a computer with a dvd-burner and would like to create a library of Canada's matches on dvd. I'm starting with this years WYC Qualifying matches but I was wondering if I could get some old games (especially the 86' WC games). Any help is greatly appreciated.

[Blue and White Army]

I second this.

We had actually talked about doing this a few months ago, but nothing came of it.

Someone has to get off their arse and start making computer video files of old matches (like VHS rips, I assume), or it'll never happen.

[Varsity Tyler]

Well, my external DVD writer has a capture device. If somebody has any of these games on tape then I can start the ripping and torrent hosting process.

I just started ripping some of my old VHS to DVD - so all I have so far is Libya and Belize II in this format.

[An Observer]

I dont mind seeding for those that have the matches...i have a few on tape but they are recent so probably everyone has those..

[CanadasBest]

I hear Paddy has a rather sizeable collection.

[Massive Attack]

Redhat was kind enough to send me the Canada-Costa Rica game from the 2003 Gold Cup on DVD. If people are interested, I can make this game into a torrent once the Portugal downloading dies off. The game is historically significant, as it marks the great high that came before the great low of losing to Cuba just a few days later. Its Holger's second last match in charge if I'm not mistaken.

[El Hombre]

That would be awesome. I'd be interested.

[Dave]

This is a fantastic idea! I used to have a VHS collection of some old games going back to 1994 WCQ, but I left them at my parents' house when I moved out. I have no idea whether they are still around (might have been taped over with my Mom's soap operas) but if I can locate them I have the hardware and software to convert VHS to DivX in one step. I should be up to my Mom's place within a couple of weeks and I'll check.

Who else has old games on DVD or VHS? I've even lost some recent games, so I'd be grateful for any torrents that were posted.

Also, if anyone out there has old VHS games but hasn't done much conversion to digital, I'd be happy to do the conversion to DivX so it can be seeded. I have a VHS stabilizer to get rid of the noise on VHS tapes, a capture card, a fast processor, and some experience going from VHS to DivX in one step (using Dr. DivX capture feature). I'd then burn the DivX files onto a DVD and mail then back along with the original VHS tape. (I likely won't be able to start torrents myself due to ISP issues, but I can do everything else, and someone else can then seed it). If anyone takes me up on this offer, are you willing to risk mailing me the original VHS tape instead of a copy? It would mean a higher quality digital version. I promise to return the original VHS tape in a bubble wrapped envelope for protection, along with a DivX version.

[Cheeta]

With you on that one. Most of my bulkier but precious possetions got left at my Mum's a long, long, time ago. A lot of it became garage sale victoms or was put to the curb. Heading out there this afternoon and will put a bug in her ear. With a little luck I can maybe scrape up some stuff from Canada's '86 WCQ. Don't know if the tapes will be any good after 15 years in a box in a basement, though.

Still, if I put on the charm maybe she'll have a look-see and come up with something. Maybe not. But it's worth a try and would be happy to donate to the cause. Stay tuned.

[Dave]

Hey Cheeta! WC86 stuff would be amazing. Anything prior to 2000 GC is getting hard to find, in fact.

If you find something that old, I highly recommend running it thru a video stabilizer before trying to record it digitally. Over time VHS is notorious for picking up noise and degrading in quality. I recently rescued a bunch of old VHS family home movies from the early 80s. Before I bought a VHS stabilizer they were almost unwatchable in digital, but after running through the stabilizer the DivX end product was actually slightly BETTER quality than the VHS original, due to correction of some colour fading, tracking problems etc. I find that any vhs to digital transfer is better once stabilized. You can pick up a decent stabilizer for around $200 or so online. Alternatively, I'd be happy to convert any VHS to divX.