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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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Video Tapes to DVD
Jan 8, 2010 7:47PM PST

I use Movie Magic Pro and an ADS adapter to convert Video Tapes to DVDs. Two problems that you could run into are, it takes about 2Gb of hard drive space per 20 minutes of analog video and you have to play the analog tapes at their normal speed when converting them. When you have the files on your hard drive and want to burn a DVD it helps if you have a dual-core or better CPU, otherwise the conversion process can take several hours.

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DVD Maker
Jan 8, 2010 7:47PM PST

you can buy a -K World-dvdmaker-from amazon

KWorld DVD MAKER USB2.0+VS-USB2800D+DVD Direct Burn
for 27.59 freepost
connect to video player and computer and copy to your hard drive -or burn -its as easy as that

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VHS to DVD
Jan 8, 2010 8:20PM PST

I have tried Roxio Easy Transfer VHS to DVD but that has proved unstable.
Unless you can use a Combi VHS/DVD recorder the best method is to transfer direct from the DV tape to Windows Movie Maker using a firewire connection.
Make sure your firewire card is IE compliant.

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VHS to DVD painlessly
Jan 8, 2010 8:29PM PST

Although there are no really cheap ways to convert VHS to DVD here are a couple of options. You could take them to a retailer like Wolf Camera. They convert them for a reasonable price. They might even give you a discount for bulk orders.
If you don't want to go that route you could buy a DVD recorder, or borrow one from a neighbor, and hook it in-line with your VHS to your TV. Start the VHS and when you want, start the DVD recorder. The DVD recorder will change the format for you automatically.
Hope this helps.

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Transfer VHS to CD or DVD
Jan 8, 2010 8:43PM PST

Go to Worldstart.com. They have a gadget for 29.95 for doing just this. It was advertised on Friday's newsletter.

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No easy way.
Jan 8, 2010 8:52PM PST

If you're looking for a quick fix, I don't think there is any. I converted some 300 VHS tapes to DVD this past summer. Just get a DVD recorder and hook it up to your VHS player (and the TV, of course), start them and let them run. If you have an extra TV, you might want to do this project set up away from your main TV. It takes time, but it is well worth the effort, especially for family movies and all those Star Trek episodes you taped.

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VHS to DVD conversion.
Jan 8, 2010 8:53PM PST

The simplest method is to simply buy a DVD recorder. Play back the VHS tapes on to the DVD recorder. At this point, small amounts of editing can be done to clean up any unwanted footage. This master disc can the be used simply to keep to watch or used to edit down further into more meaningfull DVD's. I have recorded both old TV shows and material from my old 8mm tape based camcorder in this manner. Once it is recorded, it can be watched without the worry the tape now. If you use a double DVD player/ recorder set-up, very basic editing can be done this way. I produced a number of DVD based videos using this set-up.

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Try a DVD/VHS player
Jan 8, 2010 8:54PM PST

Hi all,

Probably the easiest way would be to get ahold of a DVD player/recorder that can read/play VHS tapes as well. They will be able to convert your VHS tapes directly to a DVD. I'd suggest using DVD-R disks.

Do a search on Google on

or look at the following: 'dvd vhs recorder' or 'dvd vhs recorder reviews'.

http://reviews.cnet.com/1990-6463_7-5605370-1.html .

Good luck,

MarioHummer

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converting Vhs to dvd
Jan 8, 2010 9:00PM PST

You can purchase a devise off Ebay for a couple of

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A simple way to convert old VHS tapes to DVDs
Jan 8, 2010 9:04PM PST

You need a PC or laptop preferably with not less than 1GB of RAM., and a video player/recorder. A cable (which can be bought cheap on the internet)with a USB outlet that goes into your computer and 3 RCA connector jacks that goes into your video player/recorder. Play the VHS tape, record and save on your computer and after you can record the saved films, images on to the DVD recorder on the computer.

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To convert VHS to DVD
Jan 8, 2010 9:09PM PST

I have had great success in transfering old family VHS tapes to DVD by using ADS DVD Express DX2 my is an older version 3-4 years old but works great for me James

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Conversion of VHS tapes to DVD
Jan 8, 2010 9:14PM PST

Hi Gloria, Alan and John,

I don't know if its the least expensive, but I have a dual drive player/recorder machine which plays or records VHS tape to DVD or DVD to VHS tape ( also records from TV/satellite input to VHS or DVD). It is a Panasonic model DMR-DZ48V , the model number is a UK one and may differ around the world, but this has converted all of my family VHS taped emories over the last 30 years.
This is a simple and fool-proof method, but not necessarily the cheapest. I paid around

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Easy & cheap solution
Jan 8, 2010 9:57PM PST

See http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/how-to-convert-your-vhs-video-cassettes-to-dvds/

The USB device I found was a Compro VideoMate C200 PLUS, but there are equivalents available. (It looks a bit like a USB flash drive, with the video cables attached to the one end).
So far I have not used the software bundled with the device, but just used the free software as described in the web article above.
This has worked fine for my basic needs.

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Converting from tape to digital
Jan 8, 2010 10:03PM PST

Place your non-copyrighted tape in the tape player. Connect the tape player to a DVD recorder such as Liteon. When you press play on the tape, record to a DVD in the recorder. Easy and simple.

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VHS to DVD's
Jan 8, 2010 10:04PM PST

I have purchased and tried Roxio Easy VHS2DVD and also another VHS2DVD..but it did not work for me...as well.
I think the best way is to buy a VHS to DVD combi product...
... let you transfer material from a VHS tape to a DVD disc or vice versa. ....
Hope this helps.

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converting VHS to DVD
Jan 8, 2010 10:11PM PST

I found by long searching, will need to commit to purchase converter system to plug VHS into converter and run through computer; or connect your vcr to play thru TV and then record from tv to dvd recorder. Or pay someone outrageous fees to copy.
Bad part all converters play VHS in real time; so entire movie run time to record. I got Honesttech, via TV shopping, value pymts over time. I guess sleaze could buy, record and return in 30 days for refund, but my conscience too guilty, besides family needs to use; software includedfor 3 computers.
Sony has converter on all shopping channels also.

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Converting VHS tapes to DVDs
Jan 8, 2010 10:13PM PST

There is a number of ways to convert old VHS tapes to DVDS. First, you may use a service which does the conversion -- there are a lot that do this service in the net - however, this is not cheap. Second, you may us a stand alone VHS to DVD converter unit - there are a number of them which are sold in the market. Kim Komando sells one in her site for less than $200 (www.komando.com); Third, there are software programs that will do the trick - but you have to have a VCR to play the tape and the VCR must have the output type that will go into the computer either on the video card or the USB connection.

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What is a simple way to convert old VHS tapes to DVDs?
Jan 8, 2010 10:15PM PST

I've done this for a long time. The easiest way is to buy a dvd recorder.I recommend the type with a HDD. There are several available thru Ebay and Amazon.com. Prices vary and while maybe not the cheapest I believe the easiest. As an alternative you can use just a dvd recorder that records directly to disk.This is cheaper but it doesn't allow for much editing.You can usually find one of these for less than a $100. HDD models are from usually $150 up.Just connect your VCR to recorder cables are generally supplied.As an alternative you can download to a computer using the camera into Window Movie Maker.I've just found the recorder to be a lot simpler to use.

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converting vhs to dvd
Jan 8, 2010 10:27PM PST

The easiest way, of course, is to simply buy a VHS/DVD recorder. They usually are less than $200 and allow direct recording, which would give you the best possible quality. However, if you are interested in editing before burning to the DVD, several devices are available to connect your video source to your PC via USB. Pinnacle and Roxio are two devices which include both hardware direct links to your PC via USB 2.0 and software for editing and buring. Pinnacle Studio 12 is cumbersome but very exacting in the editing, including adding audio soundtracks and moving sections of video around. Roxio is for those who are less creatively advantaged. I recently saw the newest Roxio on sale in Best Buy for less than $120.

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Converting VHS Tapes to DVD
Jan 8, 2010 10:30PM PST

I purchased the roxio creator special edition 2010. It came with a capture tool. I plug into a vcr and transferred into Roxio and then was able to turn them into DVD. It was easy and I enjoyed watching old vcr tapes.

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A Cheap DVD Burner
Jan 8, 2010 10:33PM PST

Without doing a lot of research myself, I just purchased a cheap (refurbished) Phillips DVD burner for $80. You can connect your VCR directly to the burner and backup your tape onto a DVD. Admittedly, the quality is only as good as the VHS tape, however, if you also have an upscaling DVD player to watch it on, it is acceptable and you have "saved" your VHS library.

Also, as a bonus, you can connect the DVD burner to your PVR/DVR if you have one and backup any of your recorded material as well.

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Using a video capture
Jan 8, 2010 10:40PM PST

Some TV card can be used to video capture. See the composite or SVideo plugs. The composite is a good option to connect the VCR to the pc. The composite is a 3-cable way: L and R for sound, and video.
The usb video capture adapter can do same job, but the quality is better with pci card.
The software can be Nero, Roxio VideoWave, VirtualDub, Windows Movie Maker.

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VHS to DVD
Jan 8, 2010 10:40PM PST

I use a JVC VHS- DVD recorder/player to copy my VHS material. Simple operation, decent quality.

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Easy way to convert old VHS tapesto dvds
Jan 8, 2010 10:43PM PST

Hello folks, first of all you need the following things
A video tape recorder
an RSA terminal to mini plug cable
a mini DV camcorder
a firewire cable and card
a pc
any video software to allow you to capture such as Nero, adobe premiere, ulead .
connect the RSA terminal to your video tape recorder rear panel for audio and video out respectively,then plug in the miniplug terminal to your AVplug camcorder.The firewire card must be installed in your pc, the FW cable should be connected to the card and your DVcamcorder plug respectively.
Having all this then launch your capturing software and turn on your video tape recorder on play made, and your camcorder on play mode too, at this point you should have the image on your capturing software screen, click start capture and go .I hope this is useful it works with me.

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Video Card problems
Jan 8, 2010 10:59PM PST

Seems CNET forums are the best, and timely. Just got a 546MT from Dell, AMD Athlon II x4 processor with the Radeon 4350 video card. Great for movies but WOW crashed repeatedly on me. Frustrating as my older Dell 531 worked just fine and I had to play the game off of that computer instead of my fancy new x4 processor. I am going to try the AMD's Fusion program and see if it works. I have no real comment but if someone out there has the same system and had similar problems I would love to hear their solutions. Outside of WOW not working well, the 546 works well. I did install Windows 7 as I wanted XP mode for some programs but XP mode failed to work and so I loaded in XP instead and use the machine with XP Home for now. Maybe in 6 months I will see if Win 7 has worked out the bugs for XP mode. I tried VMware on the system but it would only let XP mode work once and then it would crash too. Of course a whole different problem than video cards. Ah, such is the case with computers, you love them and they frustrate you too.
JS

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Found a VCR that might interest you.
Jan 8, 2010 11:01PM PST

On/Off, I have been doing exactly this for a while. Years ago (Windows 98), I used an ATI TV Card to connect a VCR. Their software at the time collected the video and allowed you to view it, but that was about it. I was using ROXIO and NERO to do the rest.
A few years ago (2003), I bought my first DVD recorder, made by lite-one. (If your wondering - PC upgrades and Windows XP required me to change my Video Card and lost my ATI TV Card). I tried a few VHS tapes, connection the Red, White, and Yellow, to the input of this device. It has done a very nice job, every putting in book-marks (chapters) to skip with-in the disk. I even converted many of my father-in-laws VHS tapes using this method, but there was a problem: Time and quality. As you increase the time to record (1Hr, 2Hrs, etc) the less quality you get. They came out nice, but they could have been better. It had a basic menu, so I reprocessed them though other DVD software to remove the Menu, allowing it to play when you insert the disk into the DVD player. I also tried to make a comeback with a TV Card via the USB port, but my PC was not powerful enough to use and had to send it back.
In December, I found something interesting. Woot.com (one day auction) was selling a VCR player (ION VCR2PC) that hooks up to your PC via USB. For the price, I gave it a try and was amazed by what the software additional did. After the video file was on the harddrive, the software has the capabilities to edit, removing unwanted video parts from the file. Additional functionality before burning allows you to edit the title Menu, changing backgrounds (Better then the DVD recorder - About the same as NERO). The final step was to click on the BURN option, insert the DVD-R and click OK. The process began to transcode and burn (About a hour for me - when I get money, I can get a faster computer). When completed, it even asked if you wanted another copy. Installation and usage was fairly easy. I set the capture to the highest quality to get better DVD results (Warning that it could move you into the more expensive dual-layer disk when complete, but you can change the quality and capture the tape again).

While I am using my own family VHS Tapes, I doubt that it would work with a copyrighted VHS tape. Sorry, do not own any to try.

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What is a simple way to convert old VHS tapes to DVDs?
Jan 8, 2010 11:08PM PST

I have been using a program called "DVDXpressDX2" manufactured by ADS Tech for two years and have had great success.

KFP

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Here's a proposition! :O)
Jan 8, 2010 11:13PM PST

Good morning! Here's what I found yesterday on Ebay and looks to me as the simpliest way to do it!

Your eBay bid is confirmed: Easycap USB 2.0 Video TV DVD VHS Audio Capture Adapter (170429645507)

Best regards and please continue your good work!

A+ Michel Shocked)

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Answer to waya o converting old VHS tapes to DVDs
Jan 8, 2010 11:25PM PST

Connect a VHS tape to a Sony camcorder, which will transform the analog recording into a digital one. Connect the camcorder to the computer and start transferring your movie.
Make sure the Sony camcorder has the needed function of transforming the analog to digital.
I think there are also other different types of devices making the same operation.

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VHS to DVD
Jan 8, 2010 11:30PM PST

"The Source" - (old Radio Shack) have an inexpensive machine to do this.