Community Forums

wagonmaster2 · 03-24-2012, 04:49 PM

I have 5 or 6 VHS 6-hr tapes I'd like to transfer to DVD for future storage/saving. In reading about doing this on the Internet I find one place says to use a video capture card and another place suggests using a VHS/DVD side by side player/recorder. If I'm going to be doing just a few VHS tapes the one site says the capture card will be the cheapest and easiest but then I see where a Sony machine can run over $2K but Best Buy has the side/side machines for around $250. But at least I've have use later for the side/side player recorder when my current VHS recorder craps out.

Also, I've read about being careful the computer format will be compatible with my DVD player. Have no idea what they are talking about or how to tell this.

I have a 5 year-old HP laptop running Vista but I'm not all that hip on computer knowledge so wondering about the adviseability of using the video card.

Any simple easy suggestions for making these transfers as I've never done anything like this before?

Wagonmaster2

bubbletruck · 03-24-2012, 04:53 PM

I have used services that will do it for you. You can find a lot of places. Not to expensive.

texnet · 03-24-2012, 05:12 PM

The capture card will provide you the best quality and a lot more options like editing the video before you save it out to DVD. However, it will take you more time to create a DVD with a capture card as you first must read in the VHS tape then record it to DVD. With a combo DVD/VHS player/recorder it is basically a one step process. Put the VHS tape in, then put in a blank DVD and press the "transfer" button. Not all DVD/VHS combo units allow you to record to a DVD so make sure you get one that will allow recording.

wagonmaster2 · 03-24-2012, 06:21 PM

I guess the cheapest way would be to just purchase a DVD recorder and hook it into my VHS player/recorder. But then I'd probably never have any use for the DVD recorder again since most I've seen don't have a program dial.
Appreciate the responses, gives me much to think about.

Wagonmaster2

Wayne M · 03-24-2012, 07:17 PM

If the videos are really, really good, I have such a device - mater of fact two of them. (Long story) So, as I said, really, really good, you could send them to me and I'll record them for you. But they have to be really, really good.

1ciderdog · 03-25-2012, 10:29 AM

My wife bought a VHS/DVD side by side player/recorder on Ebay to copy the VHS to DVD and it worked well. Later found out the Sony player in the RV would have done the same thing.
Safe Travels
Bob

Txcirclem · 03-25-2012, 11:04 AM

Here's a few more things to consider. The side by side type of recorders encode a copyright into each DVD. Hence, you cannot make copies of the DVD without using a ripper program to take out the copyright and re-burn a "clean" copy.

An alternative is to purchase and use an M-peg encoder. There are simple to use and inexpensive. Using your VHS, plug into the encoder and then plug the encoder into into your computer. record up to 2 hours and then burn a DVD.

Then copies can be made at your leisure.

bubbletruck · 03-25-2012, 11:05 AM

If you are just going to use it for the few tapes you have and then not again, you may be able to find a cheap one at a pawn shop.

Wayne M · 03-25-2012, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Txcirclem

Here's a few more things to consider. The side by side type of recorders encode a copyright into each DVD. Hence, you cannot make copies of the DVD without using a ripper program to take out the copyright and re-burn a "clean" copy.

An alternative is to purchase and use an M-peg encoder. There are simple to use and inexpensive. Using your VHS, plug into the encoder and then plug the encoder into into your computer. record up to 2 hours and then burn a DVD.

Then copies can be made at your leisure.

Years ago I had a Panasonic portable tape recorder/player. The camera for it was very, very heavy. I spent $10 to have a resistor replaced and it allowed coping of the so called "protected" media. I only copied what I purchase and only to keep the original as back up. I do not condone copying material that is not owned.

I subsequently no longer have that VHS recording device but I did have a lot of tapes recorded with the camera on it, and on several VHS tapes that other family members had recorded with their cameras.

I have the side-by-side VHS to DVD/DVD to VHS (2 of them) and they do not put any type of copy right encoding on any media either transferred or recorded. I have converted many non-copyrighted VHS to DVD using that method and then copying those DVD's to other DVD Disks so family members could have them. I have never run into any problem viewing those DVD's on any media.

Am I missing something in your post?

Clay L · 03-25-2012, 01:17 PM

Take a look HERE for a USB device and software made by Roxio. Cost is 69.99 on their site. May be cheaper other places.

It won't copy protected tapes but there are similar devices made by other manufacturers that will.

Retired and Happy · 03-25-2012, 08:12 PM

I have the easy Roxio. Found it at SAMs for about $49 a few months ago. It's simple enough for ME to use, and i am finally getting around to copying some VHS tapes I made from Super-8 movies when my kids were little. My problem is that apparently the movie framing causes a flickering in the tape and consequently in the DVD. But the movies are getting old, so something had to be done.

JManatee · 03-25-2012, 08:21 PM

Another vote for the USB Roxio thing. I moved all my sons vhs-c to DVD.

wagonmaster2 · 03-25-2012, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1ciderdog

My wife bought a VHS/DVD side by side player/recorder on Ebay to copy the VHS to DVD and it worked well. Later found out the Sony player in the RV would have done the same thing.
Safe Travels
Bob

I think I have that same system in my 2004 Meridian 36G. Could you give a little explanation as to what/how to do the transfer from VHS to DVD in the coach? I thought those DVDs were only players and wouldn't record anything. Once I copy these 5-6 music tapes I made off of VH1 TV several years ago I probably won't have any more need for something to do the conversion.

Appreciate any of your usual good advice and suggestions.

Wagonmaster2

wagonmaster2 · 03-25-2012, 10:23 PM

Another question I just thought about. I guess most DVDs are 2 hours long, and if the VHS tape is 6 hours long do you have to monitor how long the transfer is going on in order to stop the VHS tape machine and change to another DVD? Nothing is automatic about stopping everything when reaching the end of the DVD?

Wagonmaster2