Which recording mode (SP,LP...) should I use when transferring VHS to DVD+R

[antonree]

I have a LG combo VHS/DVD-recorder and have decided to transfer some of my old VHS to DVDs. I got confused however when I realised that you can use different recording modes on your DVDs in order to store more minutes on a single disc. I thought it was best to ask here if someone has tried the different settings and which one is recommended without loosing quality (even though VHS quality isn't all that good). Since most of my VHS is 240 minutes tape it would be convenient to use the EP mode which gives the same minutes on one DVD.

[Frobozz]

It's a matter of what your eyes see as acceptable picture quality. The more you fit on a DVD the lower the picture quality. When you start with a poor picture (such as from a VHS tape) the more this gets compounded using a long recording setting with the DVD recorder. I'd stay with a 2 hour maximum for VHS transfers but you should try different settings and compare them. You can test all the settings on one disc using the same piece of VHS video as your source.

[classfour]

With VHS-only quality it might work. If using commercial VHS or if the playback has any jitters, the LG may see macrovision or CGMS (look it up on videohelp) and stop recording.

For top quality - even with the source being as poor as VHS: I would recommend finding a means to split the video near the middle, or at the two hour point; and record at dvd quality.

Even if saving a disc looks like a good idea (they're cheap when bought online, -RW and -RAM media are re-usable, so you can edit the video into a final DVD and author), you may wish later that you'd recorded at better quality, especially if you pursue this hobby and learn the ins and outs of creating better video work from your old tapes.

Whatever you do: Do not destroy or record over those old tapes. Seal them up, and put them in a dark safe place for later. If you buy better equipment (as I have) you'll want to revisit them!