converting vhs to dvd

[halekon]

how does one convert ones old vhs to dvd? i have read on some web sites some complicated convoluted techy "advice" http://www.afterdawn.com/
that seems more like reading greek
and than there is this review on amazon:
A terrific all-around player and recorder, the Panasonic DMR-E30 offers the flexibility of recording on both DVD-RAM--ideal for instant chapter access and for multiple rerecordings--as well as DVD-R, regarded as the most widely compatible of the many DVD formats (great for sharing camcorder footage with loved ones). With the DMR-E30S you can digitally record superb picture and sound--up to 12 hours on a double-sided DVD-RAM disc and up to six hours on a single-sided DVD-RAM or DVD-R disc, thanks to Panasonic's original Hybrid VBR (variable bit rate) technology. (Rewriteable DVD-RAM discs can be rewritten over 100,000 times and offer 4.7 to 9.6 gigabytes per disc.)
The unique Time Slip feature lets the DVD recorder be used like a personal video recorder, or PVR. Because of DVD-RAM's extremely fast transfer rate, it's possible to view the recorded portion of an ongoing program from the beginning, while still recording the program in progress. In addition to recording new video content, the DMR-E30 lets you transfer favorite VHS recordings to durable, space-saving discs. The Direct Navigator instantly accesses recorded material from an onscreen menu that lists recording dates, times, channels, and titles. Finding and viewing recorded material are simple, because there's no need to search, fast-forward, or rewind.

yikes which does one choose??

[handyguy]

Choose what? I doubt you can buy a E30 anymore from a store other than ebay.com

searhc the forum for E30 or E50 there are tons of posts on both.

[belvedere16]

there are many guides out there

[housepig]

the two major ways are:

1. get a standalone dvd recorder and play from your VHS, record to your dvd recorder.

2. use a capture card, your computer, encoding and authoring software.

method 1 - pros - quick, easy, decent quality - cons - you can't edit, no menus, chapters or titles, not as much flexability.

method 2 - pros - more recorder flexability (you can burn more than video on a dvdr), higher level of customization with encoding, authoring, menus, chapters, quality levels, audio formats, etc. - cons - more time consuming, more steps to go through, higher learning curve.

your choice - convienience or flexability, in a nutshell. I wanted something I could back up data with as well as video, and I like the creative aspects of making intro movies, chapters, menus, etc., so I go with method 2.

[Marco33]

3. DV Converter


method 3 - pros - quick, easy, great quality, plug & play - cons - Doesn't work so great on very poor VHS tapes.

[verchad]

Don't forget, if you go for the standalone dvd recorder and are backing up your commercial tapes, you will need to remove the cgms from the vhs tape, you will need a device for that. If you search the forum, you will find many opinions about what type of device to use.