Looking for a recorder to transfer VHS to DVD (preferably for pre-recorded tapes as well)?

Question

I am looking around to buy a recorder to put all my tapes onto disc so I can get rid of the tapes and make space. Some have Freeview built in and you can record straight to DVD from TV as well. Reviews are mixed though and I am wary of spending money and then wishing I'd bought something else.

There seems to be a problem putting pre-recorded tapes onto disc as well, is there any model that can override encrypted tapes?

Answer 1

I'm guessing that you already have a VHS player so don't waste money buying another.

Buy a DVD recorder (I use the ones with built in hard drives so I can record to HDD or DVD) and a set of good quality SCART to phono leads.

Plug the scart to the input on the DVD recorder, the phonos to the existing VHS player; select the channel on the DVD to record from (usually AV1 or AV2); press play on the VHS and record on the DVD.

I've recorded many hours that way - encryption has never been an issue.

I'm not too fussy about built in Freeview because it's also built into every new TV, I have cable TV & in some rooms I also have Freeview set-top boxes.

Hope it helps (and keeps cost down!)

Tony

Answer 2

I made the mistake of buying a 3-in-1 VHS, disk and DVD player (Funai) and have regretted it ever since in terms of copying tapes.

I don't think there are any players that can copy copy-protected tapes so I have used a PC with a TV tuner (software included) and recorded over a coax cable and burnt to DVD. The quality isn't fantastic but the tapes weren't exactly brilliant either.

The only reason I do like the player is that I have only one machine instead of two and can keep recorded stuff on the disk to play immediately rather than go looking for the tape or DVD.