From VCR, to DVD, with just cable, need some help! I'm LOST here!

[Robby321]

As VCR's are going obsolete..(been there since they first came out), I'm DUMBFOUNDED, the stuff out there now! Heres what I want to do, and what I have now. Not a newbie (am here though) to electronics, as my dad was a Radio and TV repairman! How dated is that?
I have Comcast Cable, Expanded Basic, with no cable box. Just the cable in, running 3 TV's house, and one in my shop. None are the new HD type, and only hook ups are the cable.
What I'm looking to do, is what I've done VCR years. Record the NHRA drag races, to watch my time..(retired, old dragracer, still have my old Harley Drag bike here in the shop..and riding Harleys 50 years).
I have years of VHS tapes, done my many cross country rides on my Harley Bagger, but as they are soon obsolete, I need to re-record to DVD, or whatever.."Blu-Ray?", to preserve for those that will soon take my place in life. Mems for the kids, of me, the crazy old fart.
I have looked at some players, poking around Wally World, and I can't even find a "cable input"! Just getting this figured out so bear with me.
So heres the skinny.
I'm looking to hook up a simple VHS/DVD to a basic cable input. I have no box. Straight to the VHS/Tube. The VHS to copy my years of tapes, and slowly get into all DVD. Recording will be 3 hours the races, quality not a big deal. Gee, what DVD do I need to buy? It will be recorded over and over, not kept, no biggie there. Just want to watch on my time.
The recorded "mems", off the VHS tapes, a one shot deal.
Been retired 14 years, not broke, but money is tight. Pension says so!
I'm a super "wrench", but I always find a way to let the "smoke", out of a wire!
Any help is appreciated..thanks, Robby

[samijubal]

To record VHS to DVD you want to use the RCA outs of the VCR to the RCA ins on the DVD recorder. You'll either need a TV with line inputs( RCAs) or an RF modulator to connect the DVD recorder to the TV. You could connect the DVD to a VCR with the line inputs and then coax to the TV, you'd need a second VCR and any retail DVDs you play will probably have copy protection problems on the TV.

[Krispy Kritter]

You won't want to connect (and likely can't) your VCR and DVD Recorder using coax cable. Your best bet for standard VHS tapes, would be to use the S-Video output of your VCR into the recorder. That will get you the best picture. Simply connect the S-Video output and the RCA audio outputs from the VCR to the corresponding inputs of the DVD recorder. Coax cable would be the second best choice, although most DVD Recorders don't have coax cable inputs. Lastly would be the composite video (yellow RCA connector).

You could also simply buy a VHS/DVD Recorder combo unit and dub all of your tapes to DVD. This will work fine for all of your recorded tapes, but won't work for copyrighted material.

[Robby321]

OK, I see what meant here. I'll probably just regroup totally, one new HDTV, DVD/VCR (dub the VHS tapes), and just might go TIVO. Seems the easiest way. The times, they are a'changing..(I'm just slow to adapt!). Thanks for the help!

[samijubal]

Only an S-VHS VCR has s-video output. Most people don't have an S-VHS VCR. You definitely can connect a DVD through a VCR, as long as you don't play retail copy protected DVDs in the recorder you'll be fine. Using coax will severely degrade the quality of DVDs though.

[hespinoza]

I have done something similar except I have an older camera that has RCA's that connects to the TV to play video.

I went to "best buy" and found a PCI card that I installed on my PC called "Pinnacle PCTV HD Card". This card contains connections for your RCAs that allow you to play your video on your computer and capture it. I also let's you watch TV on your PC. I'm not sure if this card is the best, but I bet someone here can suggest a better one.

I'm using Windows Movie Maker to capture my video. I think this can get you started.

I'm a newbie at this as well and it seems that the more you read the more you need to keep reading.

Good luck getting all those memories.

[Robby321]

I (post starter) still have 3 VCR's, and a TV/VCR Combo. 2 VCR's still record ok, and 2 fine just watching...head clean not helping those on record. But seems soon to go obsolete..(more here on that a sec)
I should add that I'm divorced long ago, no kids, crazy Nam Vet, who likes to ride fast and hard. And always had my Vid Cam with me. Old one, still have it, still works fine, and like a old "Philco Radio", basic on-off button, VHS-C..laid on the Tankbag, grabbed left hand, did the vid when needed..the "wow", look at this!
But a LARGE, extended family, those nephews on mine, treat me right, as have 8 bikes, 4 boats, so I can hang the "will" over their head, and get treated like a king! But I love those little (at one time), kids. The old "rides", on tape, are for them., and there kids.
Me, I don't really care if I tossed most old stuff out the window, say the hell with it, as its has got too insane, go for a ride, make my own movies, in my head. I'm not one to sit in front of a TV, just side noise..(grew up with my dad, a TV repairman, TV's EVERYWHERE..still need the "noise"!)
My basic Expanded 70 channels..(13 maybe worth it, at $55 a month), is good enough for me.
But, as VCR's have worked since seems forever, and realize the new stuff, is the (now here) future. And any Manufacturer, looks profit, not still make stuff, cause I like it.
Does anybody even MAKE VCR's anymore? There HAS to be many still wanting. I can't find new anywhere, internet. And blank tapes, soon history.
Hope you know where I'm going here.
I have no problem just dumping off my racing tapes, many month long road trips..(average 6-7000 miles on the road, by myself..best time in life known..super people this country, and the smaller the town stayed overnight, the better..best was either desert camped the ground, or freezing in the Rockies...great time, when I was younger)...just have some place makes DVD copy's. Pass on the children..my Legacy.
Thing is, I'm content with just a simple VCR. I live simple. No "IPhone", but just carry a "Ghetto Phone"..(Tracfone). Works good'nuff, me stuck somewhere.
At the point in life, not ready to sit in front of a TV just yet. Thats called old, and have a 4 year old Golden Retriever...that kinda likes the "Animal Channel"...but..sez.."off the butt, lets do the beach/woods/ANYTHING!"
Sorry the long "rant", but maybe some others, are in the same position. Maybe some others will be helped.
Thanks again, for all replies...Robby..(think my old man, who passed 1984, born 1901, is rolling in his grave..started out Radio repair, then the new thing, "TV"...then got the heck out in time, before it got so complex!)


No big deal.

[3Simon7]

Does anybody even MAKE VCR's anymore? There HAS to be many still wanting. I can't find new anywhere, internet. And blank tapes, soon history.

http://www.220-electronics.com/VCR/vcrs.htm

[Robby321]

Thanks! ...check it out. I see no need for them to disappear, as worked fine for decades..and us old school farts, simply don't need.."new fangled", which does the same old thing...thanks again, the link..!

[samijubal]

You can get VCRs on ebay. I've got about 10 working VCRs I don't know what to do with. I repaired them for a couple of decades and used to sell them, now I probably couldn't give them away.

[Robby321]

You can get VCRs on ebay. y.

Yeah, looked there, but none are new. And the one's they say work fine, are the $30/40 ones that were sold new outlet stores, that don't last anyway.
And I would get a DVD/VCR Combo, but like has been stated, without a F connector, I have no way to hook the older, but work fine TV's. Thats how this whole problem of mine started.
If one was sold with a simple F connect, I would get it. But if I need to get a new TV also, price outweighs advantage.
Plus the probable problem of DVD recording copyrighted stuff off the tube, said here somewhere.
Hope ya know where I'm coming from here...

[victoriabears]

Many combos with dvd recorders have f Connectors, or you can get one of these :-

http://www.procura.com/maaumo.html

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10574433

[samijubal]

All you need is an RF modulqator to connect a DVD to a TV without line inputs. You can also use a VCR as long as you don't play retail DVDs.

[Robby321]

OK..like said, I'm still getting this figured out. Thing is I looked before at the Walmart stuff, and did not see the back any with F connects.
And looked over stuff internet too. Didn't see any F's on the back.
I'll look into the last 2 post, stuff mentioned. And probably after the holidays, go into the local private run (hate big box stores) TV/Audio place, sit down and get the full skinny.
Thanks for the help so far, and think I got a good grip on it now. Again thanks for all the help.

[samijubal]

All you need to connect a DVD player using the RCA outs on the DVD to a coax input on the TV:
http://www.walmart.com/search/search-ng.do?search_constraint=0&ic=48_0&search_query=rf...d.x=6&Find.y=9

I've seen them cheaper elsewhere.

[Robby321]

Yep, I got now what saying the RF Modg box! Seems thats the ticket, keep the old tubes. Probably do that on one tube, buy a DVD/VHS combo, dub my tapes. Will I need new RCA cables too, the "box"? Have a ton, the old stuff, red/white, and some red/white /yellow.
One more question..as aint messed recording any DVD's. And mentioned here. Recording off the tube, ESPN2, drag races..will they be copy righted, if trying to record to DVD? If so, I''ll stick with the old VCR's, until they die. Then say the hell with it. Its not that big of a deal. Thanks again, the help.

[samijubal]

Usually DVD players/recorders come with a cheap set of RCA cables. You can use whatever cables you have also. If programming is copy protected you won't be able to record to DVD. I've never had any problems recording anything.

[Robby321]

Thanks! I think we can let this thread die now, unless others want to chime in.
I REALLY appreciate all help here, as I hate to go in "stupid", some store, and look like some idiot, to a kid who knows WAY, more than I.
Still a stubborn old fart..slow to learn/adapt.
Always have, and always will, try to educate myself first. And you all, have been a tremendous "help"...and thanks again...Robby