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How to Copy VCR to DVD

 

It's no secret anymore: VCRs are old news. DVDs simply offer many advantages over VCRs, such as instant playback access to any part of the recording without rewinding or fast forwarding, smaller discs that hold much more storage space, and longer life expectancy.

 

The easy way

The absolute easiest way to copy VCR to DVD is a DVD/VCR combo unit. You can copy up to six hours of VCR tapes on DVD, with the push of a single button. Some DVD/VCR combo units work both ways, meaning that you can record DVDs on VCR tapes as well.

 

These DVD/VCR combo units include a number of features, such as recording quality settings, Dolby Digital compatibility, zoom functions, onscreen programming, long and short play, automatic and manual tuning, index search, and front panel A/V inputs. These DVD/VCR combo units usually cost around $200 a piece.

 

The not-so-easy way

There is, of course, another way to copy your VCR tapes onto DVD, but it's certainly not as simple, but it can be broken down into a somewhat manageable three-stage process.

 

1. Capturing the video recording - You can either do this digitally using a firewire or USB interface, or analog using a capture card and phono leads.

 

2. Editing/Authoring - This entails adding menus to the recording and deleting any unwanted or unneeded sections of the recording.

 

3. DVD Writing - Making sure you have all the files needed and then burning the video recording onto a blank DVD.

 

What you'll need

 

A computer with an analog capture card as well as a sound card.

 

A  CD writer as well as a DVD writer drive installed on your computer.

 

A  minimum 40 GB hard drive. 60 to 80 GB or more is recommended.

 

Connecting leads - you will need to connect the VCR to the capture card using A/V connectors.

 

DVD- or VCD-authoring software installed on your computer.

 

A blank CD or DVD to burn the recording on to.

 

DVDs vs. VCDs

Some so-called DVD copying software can only make VCD copies from DVDs or VHS tapes, so know what you are getting into. VCD has greatly reduced quality.

 

 

 

More information on DVD/VCR combos