Tape Transfer??

The machines we love to hate

Moderator: Wiz Feinberg

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George Brown
Posts: 1291
Joined: 26 Mar 2002 1:01 am
Location: Winston-Salem, NC, USA

Tape Transfer??

Post by George Brown »

Wiz,
I recently came across several VHS tapes,of some shows I've done, Vacations, Etc... I would like to convert them to either CD, or DVD. I was told that there is software that will allow this to be done on a Computer.
I would Really like to get Your Opinion on whether it can be done, and possibly a Reliable Program, before I spend money on something that won't help me.
Any info that you can offer will be Greatly Appreciated...
George...
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Jack Stoner
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Joined: 3 Dec 1999 1:01 am
Location: Kansas City, MO

Post by Jack Stoner »

It can be done on a PC but its time consuming, and you need an interface that will allow you to connect the VHS tape player to the PC. And, a program to allow you to "record" the tape to the hard drive and finally burn a compatible DVD.

The easiest and best way is to use a standalone DVD recorder (or a combo unit that has both VHS and DVD Recorder) and do it that way.

I've tried it on my PC and it was a hassle. I now have a standalone DVD recorder.
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George Brown
Posts: 1291
Joined: 26 Mar 2002 1:01 am
Location: Winston-Salem, NC, USA

Post by George Brown »

Jack,
Thanks Much for the Info. I was afraid I'd run into something like that. I'll look around, and get a stand alone Unit. Hope All is Well in your part of the World. Thanks Again.
George...
jolynyk
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Joined: 22 Sep 2000 12:01 am
Location: Prince Albert Sask. Canada

Post by jolynyk »

Jack I have a stand alone unit, & while it does transfer VHS to DVD for home recorded movies, most commercial tapes of movies I own & want to preserve & transfer to DVD can't be done. I get a copy protection error, so it's not much good for that..
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Jack Stoner
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Joined: 3 Dec 1999 1:01 am
Location: Kansas City, MO

Post by Jack Stoner »

The "DRM" (Digital Rights Management) built into Windows would also not let you copy, tapes (or CD's) that are copy protected.

There are probably devices available to circumvent the copy protection.
jolynyk
Posts: 1295
Joined: 22 Sep 2000 12:01 am
Location: Prince Albert Sask. Canada

Post by jolynyk »

Yes I would like to be able to do that. I have lots of movies that we bought legally & are mine, but VHS take up lots of room.
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Alan Brookes
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Location: Brummy living in Southern California

Post by Alan Brookes »

You did mention that they were shows that you've done, so the question is whether these are the original tapes or commercially-produced tapes of your work. If they're the original tapes they won't have copy protection on them. They're like home movies, and you can copy them onto DVD with a DVD recorder very easily. Then once they're on DVD you can copy the DVDs to your computer and burn as many DVDs from the computer as you want.

Copy protection is an annoyance.