Hello,
I saw a commercial on tv where Walmart is now offering a conversion service for vhs to dvd at a reasonable rate. I do not know what that rate is but if you only have a few tapes,this might be the most convenient way to go.If you factor in the cost of a "video capture device",if you can get your tapes converted for under $150 it would probably be a good deal.

What you are talking about in the Walmart add is available here. These guys are reliable, it free shipping and no sales tax

VHS To DVD @ Tiger Direct

You can use it like a vcr and record tv shows on dvd, Works the same as a vcr.

This will record in real time. You play the tape and the DVD side burns it to a disc which is playable on any player including this one and your PC. It will not record DRM tapes.

InlandAZ, Ok, I've got the file. It seems to be several files but that maybe all the attempts to get things working. I did have the record button on during the play, but that didn't do any burning. So how do you make the thing burn?
Oh, it's the USB-Live 2 with the included updated software .
Somewhere I read Microsoft Media Player would be easier to use, not for me. All it wanted to do was play songs.

All help will be appreciated.

Thanks~

It depends on the video format created by the player. If you're using WinTV 7 it can be recorded as an MPG2 or Video TS file.

I use Nero but that's a pay-for product.

I have a Dazzle product to do this. It is very easy to use and there's an good instruction booklet (small, bit it gets the job done) that come with the Dazzle grabber or recorder.

You'll need a scart without the cable, just the front end. Then you'll need to put the scart into the scart in the VCR, connect the Dazzle grabber (or recorder) to a USB port´on your computer.You'll then need to connect the cables according to the colors. It is very easy to do


Remember to look in your VCR manual (or documentation) to see how it is you'll need to connect the cables here.

Then you'll need to install the instant dvd recorder and choose if you want to transfer the VHS movies to a dvd disc or your hard disc, you can even choose to have the VHS movies transferred to an external harddrive or harddisc.

Then jut turn on the video, the VCR, and you shoould see a preview window of what you're about to record - transfer - to your computer.

Please remember, though, that if you have VCR movie that's say 30 minutes long, it'll take 30 minutes for it to get transferred or recorded to your pc.

Oh, and yes the files will be in .ts formats and appear as several files, but they should just skip to the next file, when played.

Isn't there a free version of Nero available - for trial purposes at least?

I've found a free trial version of AVS4You Software that'll convert .ts formats into other formats. I haven't tried to do this myself, but it works well with other formats such as wma etc.

Realplayer Plus and Div X Plus also have the possibility of 1) recording 2) converting files to any formats as does a product from Appple...

You must have mis-understood me oldmariner. You bring your tapes into the store and its a service they offer to convert them. You do not have to buy any equipment.

There is a free version available - but, it doesn't do any transcoding so far as I'm aware. If the files are written as Transport Streams (and a valid .IFO is created) then all you need to do is copy the folders to a DVD.

If they are recorded as MPEG2 they would need to be transcoded to a format your DVD recognizes.

What are the names of your files and folders that were recorded?

Geo,

I saw the same commericial from Walmart. It was like $2 a tape.

Roxio has a VHS to DVD product for $69.95 (h & s/w)
http://www.roxio.com/enu/products/easy-vhs-to-dvd/standard/features.html
if you have a lot of them to do.

-OldMan44

P.S. Just got a limited time offer from them today in my email offering it for $59.

The files are written as .ts files and valids IFOs are created. However, I have copied them to external USB (flas) drive. This way I can plug it into a computer a watch them or watch them on my tv. As for the MPEG2 filws they are also on the USB drive - I can watch them on my computer or on my tv - I have a special box (dvb-C) that let's me watch the files on my tv if I plug it into the USB outlet? in the back of the box.

I think I have a paid version of Nero somewhere as I think I either got it with another product sometime ago, Dazzle maybe?

Thanks for all the information.

The files are in ts format. Instructions say to drag the files to the burn window, but I have not been able to get them to go in.

Looking at the files it seems there are different dates on them so they are the various attempts and the last one should be the one I want to copy.

What is scart?

My VCR has only RCA connections.

Thanks~

oops - just discovered my DVD drive is ROM only. Oh well, I can use 2 DVD drives.

If your VCR only has RCA connections is it even more simple, you just then plug the color coded cables (wires?) into the RCA connections of the the same color.

Info on Scart

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SCART

Most newer VCRs has a scart female connection or a scart socket where you'll plug the male scart connector into the VCR.

As I've said with Dazzle grabber, you can transfer or record your files to your harddrive, an external hard drive or a USB (flash) drive.

If you're using the DIV X video converter, you'll need to click on the add file button in the top row.

What you probably want to do is create a separate folder for each VHS you record; all dates should be the same.

A DVD typically contains 2 folders off the root, an AUDIO_TS for compatibility with older players and a VIDEO_TS composed of .IFO, .BUP and .VOB. The IFO must point to the correct VOB(s) for your DVD to play. Which is why you want a separate folder for each VHS.

Thanks for the information, when the new drive gets here I will give the burning another try.
I could have sworn that DVD drive was DVD+/-R.

Thanks~