How do I transfer VHS tapes to DVD?

emeraldbugle

Hi,

Recently bought a Sony DVD/HDD recorder. Is it possible to hook up the VCR to the TV too and record all my old VHSs onto DVDs? Then I can bin my VCR and my old VHS tapes :T

Thanks

bingo_bango

You'd actually need to have the output from the VCR to the input on the HDD recorder for this to work, but can't see why it wouldn't work.

albertross_2

Stuff recoreded of the TV should be fine, commercial stuff won't work with a normal scart lead because of macrovision protection

DuncanMiller

connect the vcr to your dvd recorder via scart (or other composite if no scart free) and you should be able to just do an easy copy.

If you have shop bought VCRs to copy then they may be protected by macrovision

HouseHunter_2

Just to add, I have actually done this with all my old videos, both shop-bought and home-recorded. In only three cases (out of about 70!) was I unable to record the video onto dvd due to copy protection.

Will.Power_2

I too have a Sony HDD/DVD and have re-recorded many video tapes using just a connection from the video to the dvd recorder.
It's only some of the commercial videos that are protected, others will copy just fine.
There are websites offering scart leads that block out the protection for around £35 if you're desperate.
I didn't bother, and just wait for the films to come round on television. Recorded from the digibox and editing out the adverts (v.easy on the Sony), the picture quality is better than copied videos.

emeraldbugle

Thanks, do I need to plug the VCR into the TV too? Or just connect the VCR to the DVD recorder, how does it know which channel to record?

Sorry I'm a bit new to all this!

OK_Sauce

Connect the VCR scart out to the scart in of the DVD. Note the input you have plugged it to - either AV1 or AV2. Turn the DVD recorder to this input. If you don't want to unplug any scarts, connect 3 phono leads to the AV3 input of the DVD recorder (Camcorder connection) and connect the other end to the VCR. If it only has Scart connections for OUTPUT you may need to purchase one of these:
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Free_UK_Delivery/SCART_to_Phono_OUT_Adaptor_26540/SCART_to_Phono_OUT_Adaptor_26540.htm
The cheapest option is to use the first method. Just unplug and use the scart connection from the DVD that ISN'T connected to the TV.

mrs_baggins

emeraldbugle wrote:

Thanks, do I need to plug the VCR into the TV too? Or just connect the VCR to the DVD recorder, how does it know which channel to record?

I managed to do this and beleive me if I can do it anyone can as I am not the best technical person. I have a tv card in my pc and thought i would be able to view it through that but wether i had done something not quite right I dont know but in the end i viewed it though my software i was using to record it. I have about 3 -movie maker, photostudio and another which was pre loaded onto my pc. It took me a while to play about with the leads as well as firstly i was getting pictures but no sound but for some reason it was recording sound but just ddnt seem like it. It all worked in the end anyway and was able to edit the tapes as required (they were all family stuff)

emeraldbugle

Okay, managed to sort the scart lead. However I have sound coming through but no picture? Why is that? I've tried a few tapes, they are all the same.

dekeweild

try reversing the scart lead as it may help or better still use an S-Video lead with seperate audio leads (red/yellow).