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General discussion

What is a simple way to convert old VHS tapes to DVDs?

Jan 8, 2010 2:36AM PST
Questions:

What is a simple way to convert old VHS tapes to DVDs?


This question comes from three CNET members who
coincidentally e-mailed me all within the same week, so let's
find a solution for them. I'm sure many others who have a
collection of VHS tapes are also looking to move them to a
digital format.

I need to know how to convert my VHS tapes and my VHS-C tapes
to a DVD. I have quite a few tapes that I made of the CHRRs
and others that I'm afraid will become unplayable. Can you
help me? Thanks.

--Submitted by John S.

Is there a method to make DVDs out of my invaluable VCR
tapes? Thanks so much.

--Submitted by Gloria E.

What is the best and least expensive way to convert my home
video on VHS tapes to DVD without having to record to a
digital camcorder first?

--Submitted by Alan A.

Here are some member answers to get you started, but
please read all the advice and suggestions that our
members have contributed to this question within the discussion thread.

Re: What is a simple way to convert old VHS tapes to DVDs? --Submitted by mtrehan
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-12542_102-0.html?messageID=3217007#3217007

VHS to DVD program(s) --Submitted by Mark R. Jones
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-12542_102-0.html?messageID=3217102#3217102

Converting VHS tapes to DVD --Submitted by casey721
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-12542_102-0.html?messageID=3217154#3217154

Converting VHS to DVD --Submitted by kwilsonjr
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-12542_102-0.html?messageID=3217248#3217248

Re: What is a simple way to convert old VHS tapes to DVDs? --Submitted by DLGA
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-12542_102-0.html?messageID=3217693#3217693

Video tape to digital format --Submitted by comp_dok
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-12542_102-0.html?messageID=3217076#3217076

Thanks to all who contributed!

If you have any additional solution or advice for these members please click on the reply link below and submit your answer. Please be detail as possible when posting your solution and if you have references to how-tos, please include the link to them. Thank you!

Discussion is locked

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What is a simple way to convert old VHS tapes to DVDs?
Jan 12, 2010 8:43PM PST

you need either a computer with 2 tv cards and vhs player or vhs player and dvd recorder provided that what you are coping is not copy right protected.

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get a card
Jan 13, 2010 3:50AM PST

kindly go to the hardware market and get a av/tv tuner card, or box.

install the card or box and configure it very well.
connect the av cable to the av port and to the VHS machine after.
follow the instruction for operation and then play the VHS as if connected to the TV.

Watch it show on the monitor and apply save from the control panel of the player.

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Converting VHS to DVD
Jan 13, 2010 11:52PM PST

I was able to do this at no cost. I have a digital 8 sony video camera (DCR-TRV740)and I was able to hook up to it my VCR using standard RCA cables. Next I hook up my camera to my computer using the firewire cable.
The tape is saved directly to your computer, the camera is just a means of conversion. Of course you need a software program, I used "My DVD Studio". I have converted over a 100 tapes in this fashion and it worked fantastic. I was pleasantly surprised to find my camera had this capability. Hope this works for you.

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old VHS to DVD(or folder)
Jan 14, 2010 1:28AM PST

Hello.
I've connected an old VHS video player with a (rather old) CRYPTO TVR USB 2(think any TVR CARD should be ok). i play the VHS tape and record it in a folder(as AVI of another format). Then by using CONVERTXTODVD,(or NERO), i burn the output file(s) onto dvd.
give it a try... luck 2 you folks.

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use VHS player's computer interface
Jan 14, 2010 11:41AM PST

many VHS players have the computer interface. This facility may be utilized and home movies might got transferred to PC. Once in your PC u can do it whatever you want to !

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I like this way
Jan 15, 2010 8:50AM PST

This is for all you TiVo people. Hook your VCR player in to the AV line in ports on your TiVo. Then you set your TiVo to do a manual recording for the length of your VCR recording. You now have a "Digital" copy ready to be played back on your tv. And if you now how and have the free software, you can transfer the videos to your computer to burn to a dvd, cd or what have you.

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VHS to DVD conversion service
Jan 15, 2010 8:59AM PST

If you have a collection of VHS tapes you want to preserve, my service is very affordable and time saving. Visit my website and get the information you need at www.samsdigitalmedia.com . My service is based in Portland, Oregon.

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re:What is a simple way to convert old VHS tapes to DVDs?
Jan 15, 2010 9:42AM PST

I have used multiple ways. VHS to tunder Card, Digital Video Cam, DVR and DVD Recorder. The best way I have found while like some say is not the cheapest it is the easiest with the best conversion quality. Of course quality of the original tape will determine the end quality more than anything with a good Original or SP copy played in a higher end VHS player with built in DVD Recorder quality can equal or even exceed many commercial dvds. Personally I have a Magnavox that I recently saw on sale in a Walmart for $148. Grab a spindle of Sony 4gb DVD-R for about $20 and i was able to convert the majority of my vhs copies to DVD.

If you want to do a little editing; copy to DVD-RW and then copy the dvd to pc for editing. I use Pegasys DVD Author to add menus, more precise chapters to play on pc or burn to DVD for archival.

Since I had well over a 100 tapes 2-6 hours per it is taking a little while to copy them all let alone do full edits, but I have been extremely impressed. Some of the tapes are near 20 years old with heavy playing so many were not in the best condition to begin with, but running head cleaner often helped where only issues were unavoidable glitches in the tape.

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Volume is an issue.
Jan 15, 2010 9:43AM PST

For the sheer volume of tapes that I need to transfer (over 3000), a stand-alone deck is really the only option. VHS isn't the best quality as a starting point and your discs can't recreate data that doesn't exist on the tape in the first place.

USE DVD+/-RW, and then you can open the disc on a computer, clean up "ad-edits" etc., and then burn it to a master copy. That way you can recycle the RW discs without clogging up your computer with massive amounts of video files.

Remember, too, that burnable discs have a limited life-span, and probably need to be re-copied every 10 years or so.

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There Is No Simple Way "If You Want Quality"
Jan 15, 2010 10:16AM PST

Yes the easiest way is to buy a simple combo recorder.
However you are dealing with going from analog to digital.
There are 2 separate ways that images are built in each process.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deinterlacing

I have been using a usb capture card now for about 3 years, & I must say I get great results.
It all of course depends upon the source material for just how good is good.

1. Use S-video if possible
2. If using standard video cables, shell out the bucks for quality cables, & keep your VCR as close to the capture card as you can.
Three feet is just perfect.
3. Clean the heads of the vcr frequently as older tapes have more loose particles escaping from them on each play.

I run my card through Roxio capture & convert to Mpeg2 @ the highest setting.
Normally 720x480 in computer terms.
I chose Roxio because of the stability of the software, how well it captures the streams in real time even with dropouts, & also because it runs in a smaller window in the background, & does not interfere with my ability to do anything I like on my pc as it runs.
There are good free choices. I have tried them all, but none work as well for me.

What I do then is to convert my files to AVI container (Xvid)codec using a godsend of a open source program called Avidemux.
This allows me to post process my files: clean noise, adjust all of the color, contrast, brightness etc, sharpen, Trim & crop any areas around the file that need cropping to rid those aggravating analog lines that settle from degradation.
If I plan to watch it on my hdtv later I can also deinterlace within this program.

With this it is all basically trial & error, as it is indeed a craft.
There Is No Simple Way "If You Want Quality"
However taking the time was very valuable for me, because I have many,
many old cartoon, cult & out of print offerings, that can not be purchased in DVD format

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How about Hi-8 Tapes to DVD's
Jan 15, 2010 10:26AM PST

I know the question pertains to VHS tapes, so sorry for deviating, but what about converting Hi-8 tapes to DVD's?

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Hi 8 to computer
Jan 15, 2010 10:32AM PST

I used a Digital 8 camera (Sony Digital Handycam) bought through Craigslist. It worked well. You have to be careful. The first camera I got did not read the Hi-8 tapes.
Alan

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How about Hi-8 Tapes to DVD's
Jan 15, 2010 10:34AM PST

Please see my post, 267.

The simplest and the best way is to use a DVD Recorder. I have a Toshiba 120 GB hard drive recorder which is always connected to my VCR through the home theater system. I have been going to town converting my numerous VHS and Hi-8 tapes.

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What is a simple way to convert old VHS tapes to DVDs?
Jan 15, 2010 10:45AM PST

Sorry...that was not the correct post number! But, you should see the beginning of the message start the same way the second paragraph of my reply to you did. Happy

I have my Hi-8 and S-VHS machines permanently connected through S-VHS (S-Video) and RCA cables to the Toshiba RD-XS35SU DVD recorder through my home theater. I just route the proper tape machine to it, as needed. Piece of cake! I believe the DVD recorder was one of the best investments I have ever made. This fabulous machine may not be available new anymore, except for used ones on e-Bay. However, you can look for a hard drive machine on the Net. For starters, try this one: http://www.videohelp.com/forum/archive/where-can-i-find-a-good-hdd-recorder-t356713.html

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VHS To DVD 3.0 Deluxe
Jan 15, 2010 10:27AM PST

I used a Honestech converter and their software VHS To DVD 3.0 Deluxe. It worked very well to capture the VHS tape to my computer. They now have a version 4 available. Alan

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What is a simple way to convert old VHS tapes to DVDs?
Jan 15, 2010 10:29AM PST

The simplest and the best way is to use a DVD Recorder. I have a Toshiba 120 GB hard drive recorder which is always connected to my VCR through the home theater system. I have been going to town converting my numerous VHS and Hi-8 tapes. The advantage of having one of these babies is that you can:

- record from other tape formats and broadcasts
- edit content after dumping them to the hard drive
- create chapters, thumbnails, etc.
- use it as a simple recorder to tape, watch, and delete shows, much like the VCR

Since it a dedicated system, as opposed to a hard drive on the computer that shares other duties, anything I do on this powerful DVD recorder is super fast. No messing with software - it's all built-in. Whatever you see on the monitor is what you get. Classic WYSWYG! Also,I have never burned a coaster on this machine!

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VHS to DVD - simple and cheap way to copy.
Jan 15, 2010 11:06AM PST

We went thru this exercise a few years ago, only option then was to pay someone to professionally copy them , slow and not cheap, BUT the answer has now been around for a couple of years, Pinnacle Systems DAZZLE, VHS to DVD medium that does exactly that, copy one to the other via your hard drive, simple quick cheap and the best part is you can play with the system to create not just meerly copy and for less than US $ 35-00 how could this be beaten ????
Hope this helps with your proble.
David Dare Australia - they cost more downunder !!!

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I use Pinnacle Instant DVD Recorder
Jan 15, 2010 11:28AM PST

I got this package that includes both some hardware, some type of adapter for connecting your PC to your VCR and some software. You can back it up to your hard disk which is what I do for re-recording later and presto it's done. It takes a while though while you wait for the whole VHS movie to play.

Pinnacle works for me.

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a simple way to convert VHS to DVD
Jan 15, 2010 11:43AM PST

Just install a TV card (http://www.geeks.com/products.asp?cat=VCD ) intoo your computer and connect a VHS recorder the same way you connect it ontoo a TV set. Install a video recordingprogram such as Ulead Video Studio ontoo your PC and start recording your tapes.
It's easy as cake, my PC is equiped with an old Hercules AIW 9000 Pro card, these cards aren't avalable anymore, but Dazzle and Hauppage still sell very good TV cards at a reasonable price.
Good luck and enjoy your movies on DVD.

Best regards
Bill from Belgium

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VHS to DVD
Jan 15, 2010 12:05PM PST

There is a unit made by Samsung that converts VHS tapes to DVD's.
The model # is VR320. I purchased it from J&R.com. Go on the internet, this outlet is located in New York, they have everything.
You can't go wrong with J&R.

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Not VHS but BETA?
Jan 15, 2010 12:56PM PST

Any advice on VCR/DVD-Recorder combo units for BETA format? Thank you.

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Yes. I, also, spent $900 on a BetaMax clock!
Jan 15, 2010 1:40PM PST

Because BETA took such a beating in the domestic marketplace, you're unlikely to find a one-size-fits-all solution.

As the picture quality on BETA tapes is far superior to VHS, you owe it to yourself to invest in better quality capture cards and record directly to PC. You want to ensure that the capture card/software combo generates raw AVI files (A two hour movie could take up 40GiB.). You should also invest in a decent editor like Premiere to clear up any glitches, or small edits, and output to a LOW compression MPEG2 file. Then use something like DVD Shrink to give you the best analysis and compression to burn onto a DVD.

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VHS to DVD conversions
Jan 15, 2010 4:47PM PST

I hope that this hasn't been covered elasewhere. I concur with ALL the suggestions made by other members,. However there are three points that I have not seen mentioned.

1) The VHS transfer has to be done in real-time. A three hour tape will take 3 hrs to transfer. This is Long job and if you use the PC video editor system we're talking a VERY long job! However the results can be stunning.

2) If your VHS tape has a Hi- Fi "sound under" system be careful how you recover the sound. Use the correct VHS machine to play it on. Then be mindful of where the Audio Out plugs are taken from. That's because there's also a linear audio track(s) but it's quality is poor by comparison.

3) Be mindful of an, as yet, unproven possibility. What is the longevity of a DVD compared with a VHS tape? Some reports on DVDs are not looking good in this regard. You might be better off using a magnetic oxide (Hard Disk Drive) to back up rather than DVDs for very long term precious archive material. One could make an argument that you should put the edited footage BACK ON A VHS TAPE for best longevity!

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Simplest means to convert VHS tapes to a DVD
Jan 15, 2010 5:40PM PST

Folks, after reading a large number of answers to this question, I am truly surprised no one (that I read at least) mentioned Pinnacle's Dazzle. This is a $50 gadget that plugs into your VHS tape player and then into your computer's video card or your DVD player. It's small and can be stored quite easy. I've one at work and we've used it for the past three years about twice a week to place certain matters on DVD after recording them on a VHS tape. I highly recommend them.

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VHS to DVD's - additional question!
Jan 15, 2010 6:42PM PST

Hello!
I've got my VHS to DVD's, using an expensively purchased DVD player/recorder with a 250Go HDD.
I've burnt to DVD's, and everything works - on my system, but my question now is the following:
I know that DVD's are "geographically" numbered in World Zones, and I need to send a copy of the DVD's to the USA - to family members - and I'm not certain they can be used in the standard USA DVD Player, nor whether the same system applies to DVD players installed on PC's.
To avoid wasted material and postage costs, can anybody tell me whether a DVD made in Europe will pass on an American (USA) DVD player, or can a normal PC with DVD player be used in USA to play the DVD in question? Unfortunately this point is not covered in the Users guide.
Thanks in advance.
(PS - in this world of "Mondialism" it seems ridiculous that certain DVD's can only be played in certain parts of the world!)

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Re: VHS to DVD's - additional question!
Jan 16, 2010 2:39AM PST
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Video to DVD
Jan 15, 2010 9:38PM PST

The easiest way is to just purchase a dvd recorder, link up to the vcr and record
More technical you can purchase the pinnacle converter and Pinnacle studio 11 program. Link up with the vcr to your pc and record your video via instant dvd recorder. A proper manual is included to make the whole process very simple. You can then edit, like cutting out adverts and incude chapters and menus

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This is not a do it yourself hardware solution
Jan 15, 2010 11:15PM PST

Hello,

I have read many of the suggestions on how to convert VCRs to DVDs, and it appears that you have received a great deal of suggestions on how to do it yourself. In my opinion they are all good. But you should also know that there are other approaches which you might want to consider.

At our company we specialize in the digitizing of practically all types of audio or video and this is what we do for VCRs tapes (all formats PAL, NTSC, Secam), Minidv tapes, Betamax, amateur films, etc.

1) The first thing we do is to convert the input to an AVI format (which can be easily handled later for editing) and store it on an external computer hard disk of the appropriate size for the order.
2) We then edit the input (unless customer does not agree to it) by, for instance, removing all advertising, or meaningless trailers.
3) The customer can then ask for DVDs to be created. These can be straight one for one or they can include several strips if they are. short. By the way DVDs are always created with menus, full printed faces and DVD case inserts (decorated with pictures from the input).
4) It is also important to remember that burned CDs and DVDs (that is to say, created on a computer, cannot be depended upon for long term storage as the process is one using a dye (and not a pressed plastic) subject to many environmental constraints like temperature, humidity, light, etc). This is the primary reason we store them on a computer hard disk, much more reliable, especially if it is only used rarely to access those records. To be even safer we supply a second copy of the hard disk which we recommend placing in a bank safety deposit box to be protected against calamities like fire, flood or vandalism.

If you want to investigate that approach (and obtain a price estimate) just send them a message giving a description of your requirements (number of tapes, their length, and format) with your address so that the cost estimate will be mailed to you at info@mmcsi.net

or visit them at www.mmcsi.net

Best

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Be sure to capture the video into high resoution files
Jan 16, 2010 12:35AM PST

I have been converting VHS, S-VHS, Hi-8, and mini-DV to DVD for a while. I use showbiz, mydvd, and windvd...software that came bundled with hardware. Sometimes I have used pinnacle and ulead also. They all seem to work fine, with individual quirks.
Whatever method you use, be sure to capture the video in highest analog resolution (720x480, 29+FPS.) Some of these utilities will record at a lower rate and resolution without any warning.
I continue to create the DVDs at present, but the future may lie in saving the video in high resolution flv or avi format, on an external drive (with a backup copy on another drive.) You can watch an entire movie (in HD) recorded into a 700mb DivX or Xvid file. The same movie would not fit on a 4.7GB DVD. Hard drives are cheap now. These videos can be watched, then, directly from the hard drive or transferred to a flash drive plugged into a DivX compatible DVD player. Who needs blu-ray?
We are rushing to get blu-ray, filling our landfills with outdated dvd players while the manufacturers laugh at us, all the way to the bank. But that is another subject. I could be missing something because so far, I have not used blu-ray.
I tired the dazzle converting device, about five years ago. The resolution was poor. For about $40 more, I obtained a Sharp miniDV camcorder that connects to my PC for high quality conversion from analog video.
While researching for better answers to your question, I came across this. Check it also:
http://www.videohelp.com/tools/sections/capture?orderby=Rating

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How to convert VHS to DVD's
Jan 16, 2010 4:08AM PST

The simplet way for me has been two options. I bought an RCA VHS/DVD combo player and burner from Heartland America dirt cheap. Load the tape and a blank DVD and press record, it's just that simple. The unit cost under $99.00.
The second option is almost as simple. Ion makes a unit relativly inexpensive unit that does the same thing. Except this comes with software so you can edit It is a simple USB 2.0 plug and play unit.Load the software,hook it up to your computer and you are almost there. It can be a bit tricky if you want to hear the transfer tho. You must re-set your audio useing their directions and when you are done reset your audio back to your original settins so you can listen to your computer again (music and audio in general). So be sure to write down what your original settings are before you use their settings so as not to be confused. Hope this helps a bit.