VCR-to-DVD advice sought

[amedia]

I have a bunch of videotapes that I'd like to convert to DVD - things like the Shining Time Station Christmas special and the Harris/Dietrich pimping tape. I don't think my computer has the horsepower to do it digitally, so I'm thinking about getting one of those machines that's basically a videotape player and a DVD burner together. (I think Go-Video makes one.)

Has anyone used any of these? Can you recommend a good one? All input gratefully received!

Comments

[moonys-autumn.livejournal.com]

My dad has one, but you have to be careful because even old storebought tapes have copyguards on them so you can't copy them onto DVDs.

[dimity-blue.livejournal.com]

I'm in the UK, so I can't give you advice as to brand, but a friend of mine has one and she loves it! She's converted a few videos of mine (a copy of The Glass Slipper I taped off the TV, as that *still* isn't out on DVD), and she said it's really easy. She's not a techy person herself, so she went to a good store, told them what she wanted and asked them to recommend a good, solid machine that was easy to use.

If you have Panasonic over there, that's what she went with.

[lash-larue.livejournal.com]

If the tapes you have aren't protected, it's easy. Slow, but it's not like you have to turn a crank or something.

Google is your friend, but if you've heard of the brand you'll be okay. I am unaware of any commercially availble VHS/DVD machine that strips copyright stuff. It's pretty much a pushbutton thing.

Pick the slowest option for the copy if you care about the quality.
L

[akite.livejournal.com]

We bought a JVC DVD recorder a few years ago and spent a small fortune to transfer all of our tapes to DVD. Then we found out that they'll only play on that machine, which is now dead, or in theory, another JVC player. Just be careful.