Copying from VHS to DVD - using computer or......
By coffeebreak
@coffeebreak (17797)
United States
January 1, 2008 6:52pm CST
I have heard a little about this, but no specifics so I am asking the mylot experts - I have some home movies on VHS from my cam corder. I want to copy them to DVD. I know it can be done as I see it at stores all the time - 2 hours to DVD for $25. I have 6 hours on about 8 tapes, so that is far to expensive for me, not to mention I want to make copies for the rest of the family. I have heard of some kind of program for computer where you can plug the computer into the VHS tape deck where the tape is playing and copy it that way - or something to that effect.
Or is there a unit to buy that can record onto a DVD - like I play the Tape off my camcorder to the VHS unit and t copies onto full size VHS tapes. If I had another VHS unit, I could put one tape in to the unit, a blank on into the other unit and copy that way. I was going to do this, but what if the VHS breaks - there goes the famly and also with VHS on its way out, might as well spend the money on the DVD way
So... Anyone know what I need to get to do this? What kind of PC do I need to have? What programs? What else? I dread going to a store and asking as most of the time those clerks dont know for sure, but just direct into the general direction and I end up buying something that Is not what I wanted. So...any comments?
1 person likes this
6 responses
@kris182_2000 (5475)
• Canada
2 Jan 08
Man, $25 for 2 hours? Man, I do 6 hour tapes for $10 to DVD. Someone's ripping you off big time.
We have a Panasonic DVD recorder and we use it daily for transfering our tapes to DVD. I don't know how we got along without it.
1 person likes this
@kris182_2000 (5475)
• Canada
2 Jan 08
Yep, they should know what you're talking about. If they don't then they're in the wrong profession.
As for tips, I suggest you purchase an extended warranty on your DVD recorder first and foremost, more for piece of mind.
Second I suggest you make sure that your tapes aren't copyright protected or they won't copy. Home videos won't cause this problem, but some storebought videos can.
Third, don't buy the cheapest DVDs out there, they won't last. You don't need to buy the most expensive either, something in between like Maxell is a good choice. Just don't do a no name brand.
Hope this helps.
1 person likes this
@coffeebreak (17797)
• United States
2 Jan 08
kris - thanks. yes, I do buy the better ones. Maxell or Sony or Kodak. Always did on the VHS so will continue on the DVD's.
Is DVD +R, -R or +/_ R an issue? I have not found anyone that could tell me about the difference.
@coffeebreak (17797)
• United States
2 Jan 08
That is what I have seen them charge in stores. No, i can't afford that! Do you have any other info to tell me as to the how's? Can I just go to the store and ask for a DVD Recorder and they will know what I am talking about? And all DVD Recorders will record? I have a player, but not recorder. Any tips for doing the copying? Thanks so much. I really have to get this going. I have so many and I want to make copies for family members too!
@aries_0325 (3060)
• Philippines
2 Jan 08
You need a PCI adapter that can be put on the PCI slot of your computer motherboard. This PCI adapter have a connection that can connect to your VHS Player and then you can record or transfer it to your PC and then convert it to MPEG or AVI or to MP4 files. And then you can burn it to DVD Disc.
Just go to your nearest PC store and ask about this adapter.
1 person likes this
@coffeebreak (17797)
• United States
2 Jan 08
will my pc have enough room to accept a 6 hour tape? I don't know much about all that internal stuff. I have a 512MB memory and 160 GB HD. And no clue as to what you mean with MPEG, AVI or MP$ files. I know jpeg is images, so mpeg is movies? What is the time factor, not that it really matters, I have the time, but just wanting to learn about this to do the best job. I do have trouble burning disks, mainly cause I am not understanding what I am doing. I wlll ask about this adapter and go from there. Thanks so much.
@arkaf61 (10881)
• Canada
2 Jan 08
Well our DVD player that is connected to the tv also records - they are much cheaper now than what they used to be. WE also still have our VHS because we still have a lot of movies that we enjoy in VHS.
I had some videos from my classes that I wanted to put on DVD's and for us it was just easier to do it from the VHS to the DVD.
It can be done directly to the computer as well, but since we had everything ready that way, it worked well for us.
@drannhh (15219)
• United States
2 Jan 08
Here are a few options:]
http://www.signvideo.com/conv-v-to-d.htm
My husband does this by pushing a button or two on his Go-Video device (a VR3845) the same one he uses to record his favorite TV shows. I do it from my computer, too, by plugging the camcorder into the ports on a little box that came with my MultiMedia Edition of Windows. The newer Vista operating system has this capability, too, but not everyone has the little box that has the ports. Hubby's way is a lot easier and doesn't require the use of a computer.
Go-Video devices with this capability are available on eBay for between $60 and $80. This is our second Go-Video device and the first one still works perfectly after 12 years of use. Have fun!
1 person likes this
@moneyandgc (3428)
• United States
2 Jan 08
My sister has recorded the VHS tapes that we made of my baby to DVD for me. We sent them to my husband when he was deployed.
She has a dvd burner that she hooks her camcorder up to and the VHS transfers to the dvd.
I think she said that her computer could do it too, but she didn't know how. And, we were too impatient to wait for her husband to get around to doing it.
@ersmommy1 (12587)
• United States
2 Jan 08
Ok I have done this. I have a dvd recorder. The brand is called LITE-ON. The process is time consuming, butin my opinion well worth the results. When my husband and I got married I had literally a hundred tapes. Home movies, movies I had recorded etc. He bought me my first dvd recorder. Now you have to have a working vcr. you hook both up to one another and the tv. Check manuals. They will tell you how to do it. Get a bunch of DVD+R discs. the dvd recorder will format the disc(again check manual) after that you hit play on the vcr and record on the dvd recorder and presto. I am sure there are faster and fancier ways. But this one worked for me.
@coffeebreak (17797)
• United States
2 Jan 08
Thanks so much! Don't dont care about time, just preserving the movies and sharing with the family! I'll look into this.
