Video tape/DVD disc

[don1]

A few months ago my video gave up it's will to live and I bought a DVD player, problem is this, I have a collection of tapes of David Attenboroughs Blue Planet/The Open Ocean etc., that I want to keep.

Can I transfer these to DVD without it costing me an arm and a leg, and if so how do I do it?

Help much appreciated.

[Tritan]

I think which ever way you choose to go, it's going to cost. There are services out there that will put all the media on to DVD disks. But this can be quite costly. Please look here:

http://www.videostudio.co.uk/efvcddvd.htm

Or you can buy a DVD player that also plays video tapes and tell the machine to copy the video to the DVD. But this machine comes in at roughly �200. Please look here:

http://www.dvworkshop.co.uk/Video/Video_Editing/VCR_to_DVD_Transfer/vcr_to_dvd_transfer.html

I'm not too sure which is best for you? But I would have thought that the BBC released that series on DVD for the public to buy? If they haven't, you can call the BBC and ask them if they can send you a copy of the series, might be cheaper and at least worth a try?

[Loosehead]

I agree with tritan, you need a DVD recorder and a video player. You can probably buy the series that you mention on DVD, see PLAY.COM

[LeMarchand]

Unless you have a lot to transfer, it would probably be cheaper to replace the tapes with DVDs.

Another option would be to install a video input card into your PC (not normally included "off the shelf"), capture the footage and burn to DVD or (if you only have a CD burner) VCD. You'll need a reasonably fast PC with plenty of RAM and a reasonably sized hard disk to do this, though.

[Loosehead]

See here: http://tinyurl.com/clyc4

[Ethel]

Please be aware that if these videos are copy protected it will not only be difficult to copy them on to dvd but it is also illegal.

[wideboy]

If you can't be bothered doing the transfers why not try this cheap option:

Thomson VTH6400U
Nicam Stereo VCR

Only �49.98
 
At under �50 this NICAM Stereo VCR is the inexpensive way of making sure you don�t miss any of your favourite shows. 

from www.unbeatable.co.uk

(There are even cheaper mono video recorders now)

[nigidivitch]

Ethel - Is that true? - I thought that one was permitted to make backup copies of CDs, DVDs, Videos (etc...) as long as they are for your own personal use, and as long as you keep the originals?  You can, for example, put your music from CD onto your MP3 player, and that's not illegal (is it?!)

[adydb]

I was about to reply the same then I saw the last answer (above here lol)

Without all the jargon, yes that is totally correct, you may keep a copy.

[LeMarchand]

Pretty sure that it's only in the US that the "back up" law applies. In this country it is illegal (without the express permission of the copyright holder) to copy any material, even if it is (say) copying one of your CD's to your mp3 player.

That said, I've not heard of anyone being prosecuted for copying something they bought for their own use.

[don1]

Thanks everyone, I was hoping to do it for next to nowt, looks like I'm going to have to fork out the green.