Putting VHS onto DVD

[jmc]

Hi,
I'd like to transfer all my VHS tapes onto DVD in order to free up some room on my bookshelf (isn't storage an issue for all dancers???). Then I would give away the original tapes to my students or start up a lending library with them or something. Is there some easy & inexpensive way to do transver from VHS onto DVD?

(I'm going to be out of town for a couple of weeks, so if anyone replies and I don't respond right away, that's why)

Thanks!

[bul_bul_ksa]

I've done this. You need to go to your local electronic store and ask the guy what options he has (he'll ask you questions about your current VHS, DVD and computer).

In my case, I plugged the VHS into my computer using a Belken lead and then captured the video in the computer, edited a little and then burned a DVD. It was time consuming even though my computer was new. Before you get rid of your VHS make sure you watch the DVD all the way through to ensure sound sychronises well, there is no 'sticking' etc etc. - better safe than sorry!

In your case, you may have a DVD which can already record so it may be something as simple as plugging your VHS into your DVD player.

[jmc]

Thank you so much for these tips! I'll investigate my options as soon as I get back in a couple of weeks (I leave tomorrow)

[kashmir]

I'm currently doing this with Studio 10 Plus and an analog input card. Slow work - and a three hour video means about 3 DVDs. Each one has to be compressed etc - so can take several hours.

Studio 10 is also hungry - in theory it'll run on XP with 512M of RAM (there is also Studio 11 for Vista - needs 1G with Vista, less with XP). Life became lighter with 2G however.

[aazura]

Can't you just take it to a videographer and have him/her do it for you? How much does that cost?? I've thought about doing this but don't want to spend the time messing with equipment myself...

[vilia]

I did it straight from a video player to a dvd recorder. You have to make sure the wiring configuration is right so that you can see either/or on the t.v. Just put the recorder on pause between tapes if you're doing it onto a + or - R dvd, as opposed to a RW, so that you can utilize the space on it to the maximum.

[kashmir]

Originally Posted by vilia

I did it straight from a video player to a dvd recorder. You have to make sure the wiring configuration is right so that you can see either/or on the t.v. Just put the recorder on pause between tapes if you're doing it onto a + or - R dvd, as opposed to a RW, so that you can utilize the space on it to the maximum.

This would be quick and simple - but you lose the ability to add menus so you can go straight to "that" bit.

[*Shira*]

One thing to consider - it's illegal and unethical to give the VHS's to someone else after making your DVD's.

It's no different from copying the tape to another VHS and giving away the duplicate. Either way, the dancer who created the video loses out on the opportunity to make a sale to the person who receives your duplicate.

[vilia]

Originally Posted by kashmir

This would be quick and simple - but you lose the ability to add menus so you can go straight to "that" bit.

That depends. If you record onto a RW first, then record from the RW onto a permanent R, you may be able to do it with a menu. It's long winded and I don't remember exactly which way I did it now, but I was only recording my own performances as a keepsake, anyway, so wasn't too picky about a menu. Somehow, though, I wound up with two parts to a menu of sorts. I may have recorded some of it onto a RW first.

[petgecko]

There are combo VHS/DVD-r players out there, for, at the most, like $150.00.. once your videos are transferred to "digital", you can do what you want to, eventually, on your computer (like menus, or whatever)

*Shira* makes a good point about the copying/then giving away part.. maybe, best since you have students, to do the lending-library option. From what I know about copyright/piracy issues, one is allowed to make one copy as a personal back-up, before breaking any laws. It's the distribution of your left-overs that may end up being illegal.

[Lauren_]

Lending library is also a copyright violation, I *think* unless you purchase a special license from the video maker.

Libraries & video stores have to pay LOTS more for videos than we do for this reason.