Convert vhs to dvd??

sazzyb

Hi, am needing to convert some old VHS home movies to DVD. I have a VHS player/recorder and am wondering if it would work me buying a DVD recorder - could I transfer the tapes by putting them into the tape player, connecting it to a DVD recorder and recording, or do I need a specific VHS/DVD combination machine?

Or is there a more cost effective way to do this?

Any advice much appreciated. TIA.

DAVAL

I believe you should be ok connecting your VHS unit to a DVD recorder as you suggest. I bought a DVD recorder (Panasonic with hard drive , not a combination unit) and converted my home movies by connecting my analogue camcorder to it - I had saved all of the camcorder tapes. Hope this helps.

Backbiter

Just link the VHS to the DVD with a scart. You'll need to check you're recording on the right input channel e.g. Line In 1, or AV1 - depends on the DVD. Read your DVD manual first to check the scart's in the right socket - there will be an input and output socket.

It's easy once you get started.

malkie76

Has your current PC got a DVD writer ? a potentially cheaper option would be to buy a cheap TV-in card for your PC, plug your VHS or camcorder into your PC and 'upload' the videos. Finally, burn the videos as movie files using your DVD writer to be played on any regular DVD player.

TV-in cards are extremely cheap, and there are also excellent USB-TV-in options which would mean you won't have to take the back off your PC.

There is plenty of DVD authoring software which is free (infact, it comes standard on Vista I believe).

In addition this perhaps being a cheaper option, it also allows you to add simple video effects (ie titles, dates, fade in and out of scenes etc), or if you are feeling ambitious you could add special effects etc etc

Finally, seeing as you'll have the home movies in PC format you could email them to friends and family or upload to youtube for them to see.

dot111

Just replying so I can get replies mailed, I need the same info.

wazza

Have just transferred VHS footage onto DVD. Have a standard VHS player (JVC) and a DVD recorder with hard drive (Panasonic). The beauty of having a hard drive is that you can record the VHS movie onto the hard drive and then edit it in a way of removing unwanted bits before transferring onto a DVD. If you don't have a hard drive then you can record directly onto DVD but unable to edit it. I used a scart connection to link the two together but you can also use RGB or s-vhs (is the right? a round plug with pins) connection.

If you want to add titles or special effects then you have to use a PC with a movie editing software like pinnacle etc.

Happy recording.