brand new not out of the womb need to start from scratch

[toxman]

I have no idea what to buy or where to start. I want to copy my old VHS tapes of the kids soccer games etc. onto DVDs. I would also like to edit these tapes and only transfer selected parts of these tapes. I do not have a lot of time and would need to work on them but not have to transfer all at once, or be able to come back to them later and then transfer onto DVD.
Is it better to buy a standalone VHS/DVD recorder or buy software and upgrade my hard drive, memorycard, and of course a DVD burner?
Any help on this would be a great starting point for me.
Thanks,
Toxman

[stillmars321]

Sony makes a stand-alone VHS to DVD unit called the DVD-DIRECT. No computer required. Just hook up your VHS to it and press record. I found it easier than capture cards and such. Records direct to DVD's/MPEG-2.

Then use a beginner DVD authoring program like TMPG DVD Author to select the parts you want to have on your final DVD - with menus.

[DereX888]

Sony makes a stand-alone VHS to DVD unit called the DVD-DIRECT. No computer required. Just hook up your VHS to it and press record. I found it easier than capture cards and such. Records direct to DVD's/MPEG-2.

Then use a beginner DVD authoring program like TMPG DVD Author to select the parts you want to have on your final DVD - with menus.

and does this sony product disregards any macrovision protection on tapes?
Im sure it doesn't... Hopefully OP doesn't have his tapes recorded in some bad SLP/EP mode to involuntarily trip MV protection on such device.