How can I copy my VHS tapes to DVD?

Question

Ok I have a bunch of old movies I purchased in VHS format. I would like to copy them to DVD. Can I do that with a DVD recorder / VHS player combo, or should I buy separate units?

I think it's unfair that I'd have to buy these movies again, provided I can even find them on DVD.

Thanks.

Ok what if I run my cable through my vcr and the dvd recorder to th tv with the S-video jack?

I really don't want to get into using my computer.

Answer 1

I believe copying store-bought Macrovision protected VHS tapes will not be possible without a Macrovision removing device between the VCR and DVD recorder. This would rule out a combo unit for your purposes. I know I needed one of these devices just to copy a protected VHS to VHS with the later VCRs that came out. Also needed one to dub protected VHS to the ATI capture card on my computer for creating DVDs. I know a DVD player / VCR combo unit will not allow you to copy protected DVDs to VHS. I assume the reverse would be true as well. http://www.xdimax.com/dvd/dvdredpro.html This is the one I bought years ago, it still works and it's still "blinking away" between my 2 VCRs... Though I don't do much VHS to VHS or VHS to DVD dubbing these days...

The quality you end up with will not be great. Not worthy of the newest TVs coming out. Always some loss recording from an analog source... The resolution of VHS is not great to begin with... Not really worth the trouble...

What I've done is join Blockbuster Online where your rent 3 movies at a time through the mail for $17.99 a month flat rate. You can get 20 movies a month easily if you send them back quickly. Rent the movies you own on VHS and copy the DVDs on the computer. Much quicker and easier than dubbing VHS real-time to a DVD recorder. MUCH better results. Dolby Digital sound. Often no compression needed if only transferring the main movie files (no menus, ads, etc...). The resulting DVD-R will look far better than VHS even if compressed to 50%.

Here's more info on how to do it... http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AiCh6IzYD0A3ViXGoU5LQorsy6IX?qid=20060815032854AAGRez8

Answer 2

I have hundreds of VHS tapes, mostly that I recorded myself, and I ended up purchasing a VHS/DVD recorder combo. It's just so much simpler to use this machine for dubbing one way or the other. Plus it's a great VCR or DVD recorder and player. I've recorded many DVDs from Dish Network using their DVR as the source. Anyway, I've had lots of fun with this unit, and am glad I bought one. Mine is an Emerson, which sounds cheap, but it has worked perfect for a year now. The DVD recorder has like 6 speeds, which lets me put a lot of video (six hours or even more) on a single DVD. It uses the -R format.

Answer 3

Vhs To Dvd Belfast

Answer 4

You can record DVDs from VHS tapes. The easiest way would be a VHS/DVD combo unit. But if you already have a VHS player and it still works fine, I would spend my money on a good DVD recorder. To transfer your tapes to DVD just hook up the video/audio output jacks from your VHS player to the video/audio input jacks of your DVD player. Tell the VHS to play and the DVD to record. Make sure that your buy the proper blank DVDs for your DVD player or it will not record or play anything.

Answer 5

I don't think that is unethical at all. You bought the tape, so you have paid for your right to be watching it. And especially if it is only for personal use, why should you be out of pocket to buy a movie again, that you've already paid for? I'd go right ahead and do it.You can get a dvd recorder to do it easily at home, so there is no need for software. But just be aware that you can lose some quality when transferring from tape to dvd, so it won't look as good as if you bought the dvd new.

Answer 6

It can be done but youhave to have 2 units. 1 VHS one and 1 DVD/R - you play the movie on VHS and capture it on DVD. Now the hard part is figuring out exactly how....but it can be done if you have those two items.

Answer 7

if your VHS tape has some kind encryption, you can not use your DVD recorder combo. Best way to do it is using software.
1 using software capture the analog video (VCR tape output) to your PC
2 then using decryption software to decrypt your VCR data then save to a file
3 last step , burn that file to DVD, this is best way to do it.

Answer 8

I have a DVD recorder/VHS recorder combo, and it can dub from one to the other.

Answer 9

most likely u'll hav some kind of problem when u transfer.since u hav vhs , why spend extra $ for combo unit(assuming u hav vcr).

Answer 10

a capture device like razzle