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Hi all !! I want to convert a bunch of VHS tape to dvd. Theres machines that you put theVHS tape in and it burns straight to a dvd. Then I've seen these digitial converters that you hook to the vcr,play the VHS tape and it converts it to digital in your computer, then you burn it with your dvd burner.

Does anyone have any experience with either of these units? If so, what brand did you try or know about.

Your help would sure save me alot of time trying to figure out which to buy. I have a laptop with windows XP and a desktop has windows 2000 and a dvd burner is definately on the desktop. I know the laptop plays dvds, but I dont know if it burns dvds.

Thank you,
Gayle

I've got a DVD recorder with my home theater setup and I have a video capture card on my desktop too. If you don't need to do a lot of editing with those VHS tapes, I would consider getting a DVD recorder and just plug your VCR into that. There's a few decent DVD recorders out these days that are under $200. I would use DVD-R blank discs for the best compatibility with other DVD players. If you want to do a bunch of editing, the computer method is the way to go but it takes more work.

Odie: I really don't want to edit them. Do you have a link that you can share with me to a website that sales them? I have a Samsong VHS/DVD player. I also have a external dvd burner, it was hooked up to the computer with a usb port. It is a lifes good that I purchased, but I never could get it to work with either computer. On my desk top, it took over the cd rom drives and when I took it off the computer, the cd rom drive never worked right. thats why I purchased a internal dvd burner to replace the cd rom that was messed up.

Thank you,
Gayle

I bought one from Wal-Mart last Christmas. The Wally stores I shop at have about 2, 3 or maybe 4 for around $200 or less this time of year. The one I bought was on a close out two days before Christmas (reg $129) for $49. I do wish though I'd spent a bit more and gotten a better model. Maybe this Christmas.

Here you go. Lots of DVD recorders to choose from and lots of places to get them.
I got a Panasonic model five years ago, but there's many more to choose from now and they're cheaper too. Best Buy, Circuit City, Walmart, Costco, several stores carry them if you want to shop in person.

http://hometheater.about.com/od/toppick ... corder.htm

THANKS !! I will check that link out.

I fully agree In fact, the best is to convert with those machine and if you wish, use the computer and just edit later on... These machines are cheap and work better than most capture cards

I personally recommend Pioneer and Panasonic, Pioneer been the first on the list

Mickey: Juat double checking what you thinks best. Should I buy just a dvd burner that can hook to my exsisting vcr player?

Thank you!
Gayle

Here is a little different way to go. A friend of mine introduced me to this company called Photomax. They do all kinds of things with pictures and videos that I would recommend you check out. (I made my sister the purse with a picture of her kids as the material several years ago and it is still in great shape and EVERYONE asks about it).

They have this thing called a video saver where you send in the VHS and they convert it to DVD. I, personally, have never done this, but have done a few other things with this company and everything has rocked. One more cool thing about the videosaver is that they take your DVD and then they extract 200 still photos from it and upload these to their website that you can log on to. I've seen a few of these photos taken from kids birthdays where that "surprise" that you get on video was missed in still shots because everyone was yelling "surprise". But extracted from the video, it can get you a really cool photo.

Like I said, I've never done this personally. It looks like it costs $74.95, which may be costly, but I just thought I'd throw it out there as something else to look at because the still photos are pretty cool.

Here is the web site www.photomax.com Check it out, if nothing else, there are some cool gift ideas here too.

By the way, I'm not affiliated with them or get any kickbacks from anyone for recommending them. I honestly haven't used their services in about two years, but that is because I just don't have much need for it...but everything I did was pretty cool and I feel it is worth passing on.

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IN HEAVEN THERE IS NO BEER, THAT'S WHY I DRINK IT HERE!

I saw a program and hardware combination made by Roxio today at Costco I did not look at the price tag but your might want to take a look at it.

It had the cables to connect to your VHS and your computer, and the software to convert.

It was in the software section with the Books and CD's

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FlipSide Karaoke
Scott

docbob: Thank you for the reply, I will check into it.

Flipper: I will check it out too. I have a Sam's Club here, but it might be online