What should I buy...

[DeepSeaDan]

...to transfer my aging VHS videos to DVD format? I've heard that VHS tape degrades over time & I'd like to preserve the videos of my kids growing up.

Thanks! Merry Christmas!

DSD

 

[Adam]

You have several options. Some of them are:

1. An all-in-one unit that plays VHS tapes and records onto DVDs. Some have a single button that you push to do the transfer. A quick search on Amazon led to this Toshiba that has gotten good reviews and costs $149.

2. A DVD recorder. You can connect your existing VCR to the DVD recorder to make the transfer.

3. A computer. With the proper gear, you can connect your VCR to the computer to transfer the video, and then burn the video onto DVD.

It depends on what you have already and how technically savvy you are. If you're just looking for the quick, easy solution - I'd go with option number 1.

Happy holidays to you, too!

Adam

 

[DeepSeaDan]

Thanks, Adam...

You have several options. Some of them are:

1. An all-in-one unit that plays VHS tapes and records onto DVDs. Some have a single button that you push to do the transfer. A quick search on Amazon led to this Toshiba that has gotten good reviews and costs $149.

2. A DVD recorder. You can connect your existing VCR to the DVD recorder to make the transfer.

3. A computer. With the proper gear, you can connect your VCR to the computer to transfer the video, and then burn the video onto DVD.

It depends on what you have already and how technically savvy you are. If you're just looking for the quick, easy solution - I'd go with option number 1.

Happy holidays to you, too!

Adam

I reckon option #2 is for me. Do you have any recommendations as to which brand / model of dvd burner? All I want to do is straight copy from one to the other, so I guess I don't need a burner with a hard drive; however, that option might prove useful for other applications in the future.

What say you?

DSD



















Best,
DSD

 

[Adam]

Hey, DSD. I don't have any recommendations for a DVD recorder. My approach is to look at customer reviews and see which ones people are happy with, so I think that's a good starting point. Other people here might have some recommendations for you.

 

[adwilk]

Just curious, how many of these tapes do you have? If its just a couple it might be worth your time and money to let somebody else do it. There are such services available.... If you have a bunch or see the need to do more of it down the road then having the setup is useful. Adam's options are really the only three and of those, i really liked the computer option. Any analog capture device will work and will probably come with some software to make the videos a little more "fun". It will allow you to edit and really create whatever you want. It also allows you to back them up digitally or burn them to DVD or video cd. What can i say, i like versatility. I love the pinnacle device that i have.. its actually the HD stick that allows me to tune HD channels to my laptop when i'm on the road but also capture analog video from ANY source i want.. I love it... Pinnacle provides very user friendly setup and editing software as well. I'd check it out...