vhs to dvd

sor_fes2 · 31 January 2006 at 11:27PM

Hi all,
I'm interested in your methods for converting vhs to dvd. I have alot of films taped from the tv that I would like to put onto dvd. I do not have a dvd recorder.

Currently I am trying to use nero reloaded - connect my camcorder to the tv and to my laptop, play the video and capture via nero. Since dvds only take 120 mins (not DVD-9) the quality needs to be reduced from standard play to long play, these I now need to export the long-play mpeg to a file before burning to dvd.

As you can tell this is a very long-winded way of doing it. Unless I'm doing things inside out.....

I was wondering if there is a more sensible way of putting vhs onto dvd, especially getting more than 120 mins. And is it worth buying a dedicated piece of hardware/software to do this?

Ta very much.

Blackjack_Davy · 31 January 2006 at 11:32PM

The equipment can be expensive - it may be easier (and possibly cheaper) to use a commercial transfer service. I've used these guys to transfer some Laserdiscs onto DVD. They do have a separate website but their eBay offers are better value:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6430289631&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

albertross_2 · 31 January 2006 at 11:43PM

A combined video/dvd recorder unit is the easiest way to do it, if you can afford one. Usually a couple of buttons on the remote, come back when the tape has finished, and it's done, with no faffing about.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0006AAKCM/203-8278184-3694339

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0009YCUL4/ref=br_lf_li_1_2/203-8278184-3694339

http://go-electrical.co.uk/details.php?prod_id=1060&_rr=4

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/0850339/Trail/C$cip%3D36693.Sound+and+vision%3EC$Brand%3DJVC.JVC.htm

etc..

You wont be able to copy copy protected tapes though, but stuff recorded from TV should work.

sor_fes2 · 1 February 2006 at 12:28AM

I have alot of videos... 2 (clothes) drawers full, at least. So getting them commerically done will be very expensive, more than buying some piece of equipment.

The video/dvd recorder is an idea, I'll think about it. Though by doing my long tedious way I can cut out any ad breaks etc. I don't need to sit and watch whats going on with capturing the video etc, and you can watch something different on the tv at the same time if you want.

Thanks for the suggestions.

albertross_2 · 1 February 2006 at 12:40AM

If you went for the JVC DR-MX10, that has a hard disk as well as a video and DVD writer, so you can edit out the commercial breaks, it's £500ish though.. You would copy from vhs to disk, then delete the bits you don't want, add chapter marks titles etc.., then burn from disk to DVD. This last stage can only take a couple of minutes, provided that you recorded it in the right quality in the first place.

You don't have to sit and watch with any of the combo's, they will dub on their own, while you watch another channel, or sleep..

motorguy · 1 February 2006 at 1:51PM

a standard dvd recorder is down to as little as £65 now? Why not just invest in one?

OR for maybe £150+ a dvd recorder with an HDD, copy it to the HDD and edit it from there?

mattb_3 · 1 February 2006 at 3:36PM

Definitely a good idea to get a standalone DVD recorder. Dead cheap as has been said. That's how I converted my VHS collection anyway. Much less faffing around than feeding everything into a computer.

By the way, I wouldn't go to the trouble of getting a combined VHS/DVD recorder device as you already have the VHS part. You just need a scart lead between VHS and DVD recorder devices.

cwoodham · 1 February 2006 at 4:13PM

There was a short thread on this subject back in October. Have a look here for more info:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=104989

mondayuk · 1 February 2006 at 4:29PM

In the past i've used a "Dazzle DVC-80" to transfer the stuff to the computer. Then used Windows Movie Maker or the like to transfer the video down and add some nice effects etc before burning to DVD.
Certainly if you just want a straight copy of a video then probably the DVD recorder is the way to go, either way you're going to have to buy something so probably best to go with whatever you're going to get most use out of after all your videos are transferred.

sor_fes2 · 1 February 2006 at 6:07PM

Many thanks to all the replies. I guess I shall have to spend a bit of time deciding which method I want to use.

Ta.

vhs to dvd

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