Convert old VHS of family movies to DVD?

Question

Hi,I want to Convert old VHS of family movies to DVD I want to to make sure they last the next few years.

If I buy a DVD that can record is it as simple as attaching the Scart lead from my VHS player to the DVD player and hitting record? Has anyone every done this before does it work? Just wanna know before I am out the expense of buying a DVD recorder. I live in the UK also (if this has any relevance)

Answer 1

Hi Tally

Those of us who live in the US have a hard time answering your question with true certainty but...

It seems it would work with a SCART connection between the VHS machine and the DVD machine so equipped with a SCART connection.

Recording in a Stand Alone DVD recorder is a little bit harder than recording a VHS tape but it is not that much harder.  The main difference is formating and finalizing the DVD+R or DVD-R discs.  Just know that the DVD+R and DVD+RW are as different from DVD-R and DVD-RW as VHS is from BETA.  Yes the discs are the same physical size but only the dual format recorders will use both to record.  So try to get one of those so you can use either + or - formats.

DVD+RW and DVD-RW are both rewriteable so these can be reused 100 times.  Both of these disc types do not need formatting or finalizing to make them recordable then playable.

Formatting - Preparing a DVD+R or DVD-R disc to record to it the way this sort of process prepares a blank unformatted CD (albeit a different recording medium and different optical recording standard with nothing in common with DVDs in terms of storage or compatibility except in players that play back both CD and DVD).

Finalizing - Preparing a completed DVD+R or DVD-R to be readable in any DVD player.  Do this once it is full or you are finished adding programs to it.  Must to this to play the disc in other machines but disc will play in recorder.  Failure to do this sooner or later means if your recorder dies and you do not have one of the same brand and model you may not be able to play your recorded discs.  Again does not apply to DVD+RW or DVD-RW discs as they are always ready to play in other compatible machines.

Answer 2

You need a stand alone DVD recorder and a VHS recorder/player.

Connect the VIDEO AND AUDIO outputs FROM the VHS recorder to the VIDEO and AUDIO inputs of the DVD recorder.  Put the TV set on the OUTPUT of the DVD recorder.

Once you do that, then you just start recording one program at a time from VHS to DVD... this is NOT rocket science and is done by a LOT of people... I don't know why people have such a hard time with this now... before DVD came along, almost everyone dubbed VHS to VHS... and now people don't know how to do it.

Answer 3

Go to your local electronics store, here in USA we have Best Buy or Comp USA, and they will convert for you.

Answer 4

you can buy a box that does it all for you