how to convert VHS to dvd

Jun 22nd, 2016 7:33 am

#1

pardnme [OP]: Deal Addict; Feb 22, 2007; 2015 posts; 266 upvotes; Mississauga

Jun 22nd, 2016 7:33 am

Hi,

Looking for methods on how to convert VHS to dvd.

I have only seen the online services which offer the conversion at a rate of $10/hour recorded onto dvd. I have a lot of videos - just wondering if there was an alternative to paying for the service and doing it myself somehow.

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Jun 22nd, 2016 7:43 am

#2

Bobberts: Sr. Member; May 12, 2014; 951 posts; 712 upvotes; Markham, ON

Jun 22nd, 2016 7:43 am

I don't have all the steps but step one is to be able to connect the VHS to your PC with something like this.

http://www.********.com/cables-connecto ... oCYCvw_wcB

Jun 22nd, 2016 7:52 am

#3

rsauve: Member; Aug 31, 2006; 498 posts; 80 upvotes

Jun 22nd, 2016 7:52 am

I can confirm what Bobberts said. I've used a similar set of cables, ordered via ebay.
But the price from ******** is great.

Jun 22nd, 2016 8:15 am

#4

townie22: Deal Addict; Jan 2, 2012; 4719 posts; 1415 upvotes; Charlottetown

Jun 22nd, 2016 8:15 am

the hardest/most expensive part is getting/finding a VHS player

Jun 22nd, 2016 8:18 am

#5

willy: Deal Expert; Oct 13, 2002; 19345 posts; 997 upvotes

Jun 22nd, 2016 8:18 am

The easiest way is to connect a VCR to a DVD recorder. Very simple and requires least amount of time. Very little human intervention.

Jun 22nd, 2016 8:31 am

#6

hulk007: Sr. Member; Sep 9, 2013; 653 posts; 516 upvotes; Ottawa

Jun 22nd, 2016 8:31 am

Costco does it

Jun 22nd, 2016 8:45 am

#7

konsensei: Deal Fanatic; Mar 17, 2006; 6912 posts; 5816 upvotes; Burlington

Jun 22nd, 2016 8:45 am

Ya, the easiest way is to google "vhs to dvd converter"

AND GUESS WHAT,THIS CAME UP:
http://www.staples.ca/en/Honestech-VHS- ... CA_1_20001

Jun 22nd, 2016 11:21 am

#8

Gee: Deal Expert; Aug 2, 2004; 35293 posts; 8709 upvotes; East Gwillimbury

Jun 22nd, 2016 11:21 am

Just use a $20 TV Capture Card. Plug in the VCR as your video source and record the video onto your computer. Convert to MP4 and distribute

I wouldn't bother with DVD

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Jun 22nd, 2016 2:18 pm

#9

pardnme [OP]: Deal Addict; Feb 22, 2007; 2015 posts; 266 upvotes; Mississauga

Jun 22nd, 2016 2:18 pm

i have a vcr....

i can order those cables....but then what? do i need a program? to watch/record/burn the dvds? dvd is a must, because we are doing this as a present for our older folks.

i like the staples item...seems the easiest solution for me, but i am interested in knowing what i would do if just bought those cables.

Jun 22nd, 2016 3:27 pm

#10

willilumplump: Member; Dec 7, 2015; 479 posts; 104 upvotes; Ottawa, ON

Jun 22nd, 2016 3:27 pm

I looked into this some time ago - I have a handful of VHS tapes I'd like to digitize (so I can get rid of the VCR). Based on the reviews, not many of the USB adaptors seem too reliable. The problem? - the software is not that great. You get the software with the gadget and it may or may not work well - some produce crappy copies of the video. Others don't work reliably - when I looked, the versions were for Win XP and hadn't been updated for Win7/8 yet.

If someone knows of one that is reliable and comes with good, usable software, I'd like to know about it. I can't justify an expensive gadget, but one of those USB adaptors would seem the answer... if the software is good (my options are Linux and Win10).

Jun 22nd, 2016 3:42 pm

#11

will888: Deal Expert; Dec 12, 2009; 24030 posts; 13329 upvotes; Toronto

Jun 22nd, 2016 3:42 pm

Something like this would be dead simple. If only the seller was in Canada, the cost could be a lot more reasonable.

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.vi ... 26&alt=web

Jun 23rd, 2016 2:16 am

#12

rabbit: Deal Guru; Jun 27, 2004; 13925 posts; 3088 upvotes; Vancouver.bc.ca

Jun 23rd, 2016 2:16 am

Best Buy wants $300 for a DVD recorder. Used ones vary in price, but I see some for ~$100.

Jun 23rd, 2016 7:07 am

#13

Cameraguy23: Sr. Member; Oct 24, 2004; 810 posts; 174 upvotes

Jun 23rd, 2016 7:07 am

Another option http://www.primecables.com/p-347508-cab ... ersion-kit

Jun 23rd, 2016 9:23 am

#14

JamesA1: Deal Fanatic; Mar 20, 2009; 8862 posts; 2687 upvotes; Vancouver

Jun 23rd, 2016 9:23 am

will888 wrote: ↑Something like this would be dead simple. If only the seller was in Canada, the cost could be a lot more reasonable.

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.vi ... 26&alt=web

Funai made almost all the DVD recorders sold throughout the world, so almost any brand you could find would actually have been made by Funai under the label. They were sold pretty cheap for a while around 7-8 years ago, but then they fell out of favour. Now there are very few new models around, and they are overpriced accordingly. A DVD recorder is a good solution, but better to search for a used one to see if you can get it cheap. I see plenty for sale on Kijiji in the Toronto area for $20-$40.

Jun 23rd, 2016 11:41 am

#15

willilumplump: Member; Dec 7, 2015; 479 posts; 104 upvotes; Ottawa, ON

Jun 23rd, 2016 11:41 am

Cameraguy23 wrote: ↑Another option http://www.primecables.com/p-347508-cab ... ersion-kit

And the software is listed as:

Drivers for Windows XP/Vista/7 ver 1.21 (Aug 6, 2010)
Video Grabber Utility for Windows (Aug 6, 2010)

Nothing up-to-date, so will it work with Win10?

Jun 23rd, 2016 12:17 pm

#16

ah802: Deal Addict; Sep 15, 2004; 3309 posts; 147 upvotes

Jun 23rd, 2016 12:17 pm

One of the older ATI TV cards with a digitizer built in would do and the PC side ($30 max) and plug in the VCR.

Jun 23rd, 2016 5:15 pm

#17

Gee: Deal Expert; Aug 2, 2004; 35293 posts; 8709 upvotes; East Gwillimbury

Jun 23rd, 2016 5:15 pm

The ATi TV Wonder would be perfect for this

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