DVD to VHS?

[STG_44]

I was curious how one would go about ripping a DVD video to a VHS tape.

I feel as if VHS tapes have better archival life than the fragile DVD+R.

Thanks.

[hech54]

[jjeff]

It would have to be done real time. Play the DVD on a player, use the line output(composite, audio) to your VCRs line input and record on the VCR. If the DVD is commercial you may need a filter to remove Macrovision.
Personally I'd just make 2 DVD copies and occasionally play them or use a computer program to check for data integrity. If one of the discs fail make a lossless PC copy from the other disc. While VHS tapes may be around for years the players are getting harder to find and the old ones are failing by the minute. The rubber belts and idlers rot with age.
HDD storage may be better but others question that method too
I think we'll have to go back to a stone and chisel for real data integrity

[STG_44]

I have tried plugging in my DVD AV cables to my VCR input, but I get no picture.

I am using a Sony 2004 DVD player, and a 1998 Mitsubishi VCR.

Am I getting no picture because my VCR cannot understand the input signal? Or am I just on the wrong TV Line?

[jjeff]

If your tape is commercial and has MV it may blank the picture, I'd also check or try another video cable. Their should be no problem doing what your trying, I used to copy DVDs to VHS all the time before I got a DVD recorder. Your VCR may have 2 line inputs(front and rear) make sure you've selected the correct one.
To eliminate things I'd run the video cable you have going into your VCRs line INPUT(make sure you're going to INPUT and not OUTPUT) directly to your TV. That would verify your DVD players output as well as your video cable. If you can play a VHS tape and have it display on your TV that also eliminates the VCR to TV connection.
I used to use a '05 Sony DVD player and 1999 Mitsubishi VCR and other than the occasional MV problem it worked quite well for copying DVDs to VHS.
DVD players will only output 480i from composite/S-video connections which is what your VCR is looking for. Note the newest Sony DVD players with upconversion will NOT output HD and SD at the same time but the older ones did and since yours is a '05 I doubt it's a upconverter anyway.

[STG_44]

Alright thanks for the info.

I'm actually trying to convert a movie i directed in high school "The Search For Sasquatch: The Final Expedition" to a VHS.

So i shouldn't have any copy-block issues.

[classfour]

DVDs at least do not mold: They do rot along the edges. If this is not near the full capacity of the disc (i.e. over 4GB): I would hazard to guess the data on the DVD is safer than it would ever be on VHS. Having several older VHS tapes in my collection, the first thing that I do is transfer them to DVD because of the fragility of the VHS.

[olyteddy]

DVDs at least do not mold: They do rot along the edges. If this is not near the full capacity of the disc (i.e. over 4GB): I would hazard to guess the data on the DVD is safer than it would ever be on VHS. Having several older VHS tapes in my collection, the first thing that I do is transfer them to DVD because of the fragility of the VHS.

Also consider that DVD playing devices are still a supported technology, while stand alone VHS decks are getting as rare as hens teeth...

[STG_44]

If your tape is commercial and has MV it may blank the picture, I'd also check or try another video cable. Their should be no problem doing what your trying, I used to copy DVDs to VHS all the time before I got a DVD recorder. Your VCR may have 2 line inputs(front and rear) make sure you've selected the correct one.
To eliminate things I'd run the video cable you have going into your VCRs line INPUT(make sure you're going to INPUT and not OUTPUT) directly to your TV. That would verify your DVD players output as well as your video cable. If you can play a VHS tape and have it display on your TV that also eliminates the VCR to TV connection.
I used to use a '05 Sony DVD player and 1999 Mitsubishi VCR and other than the occasional MV problem it worked quite well for copying DVDs to VHS.
DVD players will only output 480i from composite/S-video connections which is what your VCR is looking for. Note the newest Sony DVD players with upconversion will NOT output HD and SD at the same time but the older ones did and since yours is a '05 I doubt it's a upconverter anyway.

I'm still not having sucess.

Let me go step by step.

I have a DVD deck, and a VCR.

I plug from the output of my DVD player the AV cables into the INPUT of my VCR.

I plug from the OUTPUT of my vcr a second cord of AV cables into the input of the TV?

[jjeff]

Yes that's correct but you must also select the correct line input on your VCR. Your VCR probably has 2 line inputs, front and rear, make sure to select the correct one. Again to verify your DVD player and cable is working correctly I'd run your DVD player directly to your TV first, then once you've verified DVD player and cable are good hook the DVD player to your VCR.
Just playing a tape on your VCR will verify your VCR and cable is working correctly. Home made tapes will not have MV so no worry their.

[STG_44]

Success!

I had to hit the imput button my VCR remote to L2 to get the DVD picture through my VCR.

Thanks again for the help!