I want to convert a load of my old VHS tapes to digital files. Has anybody had any success doing this? I'm thinking of buying this bad boy as it seems to have universally good reviews and all the cheaper ones don't seem to be up to much:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/ADVC-55-Analogue-to-DV-Converter/dp/tech-data/B0013UU0PQ/ref=de_a_smtd

Am I overcomplicating things here and there's a much easier way to do it? Also, it looks like I need a PC that is 'firewire enabled' to use it. I have no idea whether my laptop is 'firewire enabled', how to I find out if it is?