Transferring old VHSs to DVD question

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 30 Sep 2008, 11:07

Anyone know of any places (online or a shop) that does this? How does it work? I have some old/rare stuff from TV that I was thinking of transferring and want to keep

Will the image look any "better" on DVD over VHS (I mean, its a VHS, awful source) and its an old tape etc...
Can you get more than 1 tape onto a DVD? Hopefully it wont cost too much to do, I dont know how much though.
Thanks

saltysam · Post by **saltysam** » 30 Sep 2008, 22:41

Blimey Grim just buy a dvd recorder,hook your vhs to the dvd and copy the stuff yourself

(as long as the stuff isn't copy-protected) did it myself years ago, record at the best quality speed.it won't improve the quality but it won't degrade like the vhs will.(if you use decent media)

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 30 Sep 2008, 23:09

Even if it is Macrovision protected, you can buy Macrovision (i.e - Copy protection) removing Scart cables for about £30.

IMO it's better to due the quality that will best fit on the disc, depending on how long the program is. The quality is so super low, it really doesn't matter from a quality point of view (within reason) what quality you use.

I recommend a HDD/DVD Recorder Combo machine, from Pioneer, Panasonic or Sony. They're more expensive but significantly better (especially if you're copying from VHS to DVD) and will future proof you too.

I'm sure Salty will agree, once you've used a Hard Disk Recorder (such as Sky+) to record Digital TV you cannot go back to a DVD/Video based system.

saltysam · Post by **saltysam** » 01 Oct 2008, 13:26

Blank discs are literally pennies nowadays,i don't see the point of cramming stuff on one disc when you can spread it over 2-3 at minimal cost.doesn't Grim already have freeview with a HDD?

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 01 Oct 2008, 13:45

Agreed.

I meant, if the program is say 2Hrs, fill the disc up with just that one program. If it's multiple programs/episodes use more than one disc. There's no point splitting a program on to multiple discs if you don't have to, especially when the source is video.

No Grim just has a cheap Freeview box.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 01 Oct 2008, 14:13

Yes thats right Brad. I dont have a HDD, maybe one day

saltysam · Post by **saltysam** » 01 Oct 2008, 14:47

Well Grim are you going to take our advice and get a recorder to do the job yourself

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 01 Oct 2008, 15:19

Yeah, I'll get one one day Sam

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 01 Oct 2008, 18:49

Before your tapes wear out

. If you do re-consider taking them to a shop, please send the money my way instead

. You'd be throwing your money away.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 01 Oct 2008, 23:23

Well they wont just wear out sitting on the shelf (or will they?)
I have watched the MGM doc a lot as its excellent, thats worn and needs transferring.

saltysam · Post by **saltysam** » 02 Oct 2008, 13:41

yes vhs tape will degrade even just sitting there.go and get a recorder and start transferring Grim , if your sole purpose is to transfer this stuff and nowt else you can get a basic recorder for £50-£75 these days

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 02 Oct 2008, 13:52

Ah OK

I'll look into it.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 02 Oct 2008, 14:01

This one looks good, I dont know if it has an HDD but it has a built in Freeview too and has good reviews:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Panasonic-DMR-E ... 128&sr=8-5

Maybe an Xmas present

saltysam · Post by **saltysam** » 02 Oct 2008, 15:45

it hasn't got a HDD grim.if you want one with HDD you will have to pay a bit more

that's a good machine though,pannys are good.here's a multi-region Panny with a HDD

http://www.mrmdvd.com/catalog/product_i ... cts_id=884

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 02 Oct 2008, 17:15

Thanks

That one sounds good, maybe I'll ask for that for Xmas

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 02 Oct 2008, 22:38

Add £60-70 that price and you can get one with a HDD. The HDD by way will be the part you'll use by far the most. Trust me, once you've recorded to hard disk you'll soon realise how much a faff DVD/Videos are to record too.

I've said it before but it's a point worth stressing.

The Sony 870 is a bargain for about £200 Multi-region. There is also a cheap Panasonic for the same price but it's £250 for it Multi-region. If you get a Panasonic, Pioneer or Sony you cannot go wrong, other makes it's risky. The Sony 870 is last years model but the 890 (this years) adds virtually nothing and costs quite a lot more.

The Sony HDD/DVD Recorders are the cheapest, odd I know.

Absolutely do NOT get a DVD Recorder only machine unless it's under £100. That Panasonic for £140 is a expensive really, especially when for relatively little extra you can get so much more.