VHS video to DVD

Norman_Castle

Looking to convert some old vhs camcorder tapes to dvd. Will this do it?.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/USB-3-RCA-Audio-S-Video-TV-VHS-DVD-RW-Handycam-VCR-Camera-Computer-Capture-Cable-/350767445661?pt=UK_Computing_TV_Tuner_Video_Capture_Devices&hash=item51ab5e769d
Or is there something better. The listing states it needs video software. Is this avaliable free online?

flashg67

It will work, but I've had mixed results - generally been very disappointed in the quality using these 'budget' capture cards.

Best way I've found is to connect the VCR to a stand-alone DVD recorder if you have, or can borrow one.

AnthonyUK

Another good idea is to obtain/purchase a VHS/DVD combo unit;
Panasonic are quite good in the quality/reliability stakes there's a choice of 2 units,

a)Panasonic DMR-EZ49VEBK with triplespeed hifi stereo vcr and multispeed DVD recorder with two way dubbing vhs to dvd AND viceversa! Has a single Freeview tuner and 8event epg for recording.
b)Panasonic DMR-EX99V comes with similar features PLUS a 250gb hard drive recorder and more multiway dubbing and will ALSO play your pix vids and photos from usb pen drive!

Argos prices for those; the basic non hdd unit costs £269.99
and the full fat multifunction HDD/VCR/DVD unit is £400.99

flicks

Hi Norman Castle. I have had experience with this very device. Excitement soon faded to despair though. It's very slow, very poor quality, (even on the highest setting), and for some weird and wonderful reason a 45 minute VHS tape used up almost one whole 4.7GB DVD. It's down at the local rubbish tip now in their electrical bin . Sorry I have nothing positive to say about this for you.

Caitlin_Bree

Although I haven't used it for VHS conversion (I've been converting camcorder cassettes) "Video to PC" by Ion has been pretty good for me. It comes with hardware and software and can be used for VHS conversion

The files I've been converting have only been small so I can't say how big the file sizes will end up, and the quality is pretty much as it was on the tape..so, not perfect, but I do now have digitized versions.. which is what I was after.

Oops, you said you wanted to convert VHS camcorder tapes.

anotheruser

I bought Magix Rescue Your Videotapes from Amazon for about £30 years ago.
Works from SCART to USB. Comes with some easy to use software and works alright. The problem is the quality of the video and recorder, but hey for archiving, I am happy in the quality it gave.

For old VHS-C tapes, I bought a VHS tape which the VHS-C sits in and plays fine.

Norman_Castle

flicks wrote: »

Hi Norman Castle. I have had experience with this very device. Excitement soon faded to despair though. It's very slow, very poor quality, (even on the highest setting), and for some weird and wonderful reason a 45 minute VHS tape used up almost one whole 4.7GB DVD. It's down at the local rubbish tip now in their electrical bin . Sorry I have nothing positive to say about this for you.

Thanks. You've saved me £5.25 and hours or days of grief. I was prompted to look into this for someone else and it reminded me I had planned to transfer the few bits of vhs I have and want to keep. I'm not sure how successful my older pc would be with this and could forsee hardware and software issues which would be solved eventually but I don't enjoy that and lifes short. Straight to dvd seems much easier. (easiest option is the bin). Thanks everyone

Backbiter

Linking your VHS directly to the DVD recorder is the easiest way and gives very good results.

AnthonyUK

I have the Panasonic DMR-EX99VEB and it's a multifunction powerhouse! It upscales Freeview broadcasts/DVDs (and even VHS! YES VHS too!) to full 1080p resolution, can store masses of TV on the harddrive for viewing or for transfer to VHS or DVD, you can basic chop 'n' cut edit stuff on the hard drive before transfer to VHS or DVD, it can also dub between ANY of those three recording methods, can record 12 hours of telly on an E240 cassette at the thirdspeed but at much reduced (if watchable) quality, and record a lot of TV on a dual layer and non-dual layer DVD+/-R/RW discs too! It's an excellent buy.:beer:

zarithia

There's a lot of devices you can buy on ebay too. They're generally cheap and have good reviews.

PDC

I used what looks to be a dearer version of the above, the Adaptec Video-oh system. Cost about £30. Was a little tempramental but did get the job done and transfers were good quality and it let you edit the content.

Agree if you have a DVD recorder which will conect to your video then thats probably going to be simpler and quicker to use.