vhs to dvd

[Dee-M-See]

What is the best and most simple to operate recorder for transferring vhs tapes to dvd discs?

[starrs]

I use a Panasonic DMR-ES15 and I find it really easy to follow.

Whatever you do you should keep your vcr and buy a separate dvd recorder, do not buy a vcr/dvd combi.

[monty0703]

So do you just connect the vcr to the dvd recorder? Is the quality good? I'd love to put some of my tapes onto dvd.

[starrs]

Just connect the vcr, dvd recorder and tv with scart leads.

When you copy from tape to dvd you can't improve the quality of the picture etc so it will be exactly the same quality. Some of my VHS recordings were done on long play and when I came to copy over to dvd the quality was pretty awful.

[anotheoldgit]

starrs advises not to buy a VCR/DVD, but does not give any reason, why not?

[Ethel]

Yes, I've had my vcr connected to the dvd recorder for three years.

Records absolutely no problem and the quality is exactly the same as the video tape.

If you have a VCR already it is totally pointless buying another as part of a combo unit.

Mine is a philips dvd hard drive recorder which 'archives' or burns to dvd disk. Although the recording part is in real time, the final burning takes less than 4 minutes. The advantage is basic editing can be done before burning - removing adverts and unwanted bits.

Another advantage of my setup is I can record to both video and dvd recorder at the same time - from the tv - if I want to. My hard drive recorder is connected to my cable tv and the video is connected to my aerial.