Converting VHS video to DVD on a laptop

Minerva69

I have some VHS tapes of old TV programmes that I would like to convert to DVD, as some of the tapes are 20 years old and I daren't play them anymore! I don't have a standalone DVD recorder, but I do have a DVD recorder on my laptop and I will somehow need to connect my video recorder to my laptop.

I have seen various USB video capture devices (such as the Dazzle/Pinnacle DVD Creator or this), but on reading reviews it seems they don't work very well with laptops as the sound can be out of sync with the picture - something to do with laptops not having line-in for audio?

I have a Sony Vaio laptop with Click-to-DVD software, 2.8Ghz processor and 512Mb RAM. I've never used the DVD recorder before so I am new to all this, please could somebody suggest the best way for me to transfer my tapes to DVD using my laptop? Thanks!

droopsnoot

Honestly, I'd forget about it and buy a low-cost DVD recorder instead. I've been through this with a WinTV card in a desktop PC some time ago, and although it worked it was quite time-consuming and you can't use the PC while it's happening. Granted, the hardware is a lot less expensive and a lot better now, but with a standalone recorder it's just like recording an LP onto cassette.

Minerva69

Thanks for that droopsnoot. I didn't really want to go for the DVD recorder route as I haven't got room for one in my TV cabinet and I wouldn't really use it again after I've transferred the tapes, but if this is the only way I can do it then I guess I'll have to buy one!