If I want to transfer my VHS's to DVD what am I better of doing?

[gilligan fanatic]

I got a burner on my computer, but I don't have a dazzle card to plug in my VCR to my computer. Am I better of getting the Dazzle card or should I get a stand alone DVD burner? Which one takes a shorter time in the long run?

[RedWhine56]

IMO, it's MUCH easier to convert VHS to DVD using a stand alone burner (that records from your VHS). I've heard stories of people having problems when doing it on the computer due to audio not synching to the video or settings not correct & the result is not very good. It just seemed like there was alot less to mess up by using a stand alone.

Another consideration is since a/v capturing is a cpu hog, are you able to devote your computer to transferring VHS to DVD for the length of time it will take to get everything converted? It can be a pain if you start to convert a 2 hour tape & ~1 hour into it, realize you need to do something else that requires a fair amount of cpu cycles. The transfer can be affected if you try to do something else that's a cpu hog at the same time. (At least in my experiences & I have a pretty powerful computer.)

[jasimon1]

I've always done it through the computer. It just seems so much easier to me. Plus, having a laptop, I can bring it over to my bf's and do it there if I need to. I'd never do that with a standalone. That's just what's easiest for me though. I've never had any synch problems or any problems for that matter. And as for taking up the computer, I just do it when I'm busy doing something else in the house.

[gilligan fanatic]

Thanks for your help guys :)

hmm. it seems like either one could be all right. I think I will get the Dazzle card and try that first just because its cheaper. If that doesn't work well I will try the stand alone. There seems to be a huge difference in price between the two.

[jasimon1]

Make sure you look into the dazzle one first. The online reviews aren't the greatest (the ones I saw when I was buying atleast). This is the one I have : http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/navigate.do?dest=5&item=171153
It really does a great job. A few of the reviews talk about it overheating and having to take the cover off to prevent this but I have never experienced this and I do 2+ hour captures all the time. I have a feeling they fixed the problem since those reviews were posted.

[stoogedog]

hi, yes i would read the reviews and not just the info on the companies website. cnet is a good palce to look for reviews. reviewers there seem to tell it like it is. i use a stanalone recorder to transfer my vhs to dvd. you can get a good one for around $150.00 or less if you shop hard or check out ebay. depending on what you have, i would be glad to transfer some vhs tapes to dvd for you. i have done this for a few other traders. let me know. it works like this: you send me the tape, i transfer it to dvd and send you the dvd back. keeping the tape for providing the service. lmk. thanks

[TVFactFan]

So what will happen if you convert VHS to DVD just by using the DVD Recorder/VHS Combo?

[T-Greg]

So what will happen if you convert VHS to DVD just by using the DVD Recorder/VHS Combo?

One thing is there is zero chance of getting dropout/pixelation because it's a direct transfer, unlike using a computer. You lose just a bit of quality though. DVD to DVD transfers are better on the computer because you can make an exact copy.

[Lamont]

work better in my opinion

i never use my card, b/c its a bigger pain to use and ties up computer
and to be honest, I think that 99% of the time, the quality is jsut as good or better when u do a straight vhs to dvd transfer with a standalone recorder

:crazy:

[TVFactFan]

work better in my opinion

i never use my card, b/c its a bigger pain to use and ties up computer
and to be honest, I think that 99% of the time, the quality is jsut as good or better when u do a straight vhs to dvd transfer with a standalone recorder

:crazy:


Thanks, I will keep that in mind

[gilligan fanatic]

thanks for all your help guys :)

And thanks for that option stoogedog, I might have to think about that. I don't have that many to convert, but It might be to confusing since I have some stuff all over the place.