tremeex: What is a simple way to convert old VHS tapes to DVDs?

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What is a simple way to convert old VHS tapes to DVDs?

Dear CNET members,

Happy Friday! Wow, this week's subject, which asks for a simple way to convert old VHS tapes to DVDs, is still a very popular topic. Even after I sent last week's newsletter, I received two additional e-mails from our members wanting to know the same thing. Well, for all you folks out there who are looking for a solution, our members have come through in a big way (a total of 254 answers, to be exact).

Ninety percent of the members suggested using a standalone VCR-to-DVD recorder or buying a DVD recorder and hooking it up to your VCR to transfer your tapes to DVDs. This would be the simplest method. Others recommended third-party services that will do it for you for a fee. However, if you want to take your home video to another level and plan on editing it or adding a bit of pizzazz before burning it onto a DVD, other members recommended using a video capture card or device in conjunction with special software that will allow you to hook up your VCR to your computer to transfer the video to your hard drive. Using video-editing software, you could then take that video file, do all your fancy editing, and then burn it on a DVD. This requires a bit more technical involvement and hardware requirements, but the result may be worth the extra effort.

I have picked out a few answers to get you all started, but there is plenty more advice in the discussion thread--from hardware and software suggestions, all the way to how-tos. Good luck with your journey on this project. Have fun with it and tell us what method you used! Thanks to all who contributed to this topic; we all appreciate your expertise and experiences. Have a great weekend, folks!

Cheers!
- Lee

Got suggestions? Send me an e-mail: messageboards@cnet.com

Lee Koo
CNET Community manager

Last week's question

What is a simple way to convert old VHS tapes to DVDs?

This question comes from three CNET members who coincidentally e-mailed me all within the same week, so let's find a solution for them. I'm sure many others who have a collection of personal VHS tapes are also looking to move them to a digital format.

I need to know how to convert my VHS tapes and my VHS-C tapes to a DVD. I have quite a few tapes that I made of the CHRRs and others that I'm afraid will become unplayable. Can you help me? Thanks.
--Submitted by John S.

Is there a method to make DVDs out of my invaluable VCR tapes? Thanks so much.
-- Submitted by: Gloria E.

What is the best and least expensive way to convert my home video on VHS tapes to DVD without having to record to a digital camcorder first?
-- Submitted by: Alan A

Featured member solutions
for last week's question:

"Re: What is a simple way to convert old VHS tapes to DVDs? "
-- Submitted by: mtrehan

"VHS to DVD program(s) "
-- Submitted by: Mark R. Jones

"Converting VHS tapes to DVD "
-- Submitted by: casey721

"Converting VHS to DVD "
-- Submitted by: kwilsonjr

"Re: What is a simple way to convert old VHS tapes to DVDs? "
-- Submitted by: DLGA

"Video tape to digital format"
-- Submitted by: comp_dok

Read all member contributions

Thanks to all who contributed!

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