Need advice on DVD recorder, $200 or less, to copy VHS tapes

[PRW]

Hi, we are in the market for a DVD recorder which would basically be used to transfer a whole lot of old videotapes of the kids, etc., to DVD. I'm posting here because this forum was recommended to me, plus I've been trying to do some homework on this online but the information is so vast and, in many cases, so conflicting that my eyes are kind of spinning.

First off, I would be a newbie as far as actually recording DVDs on a standalone DVD recorder. However, I have very extensive experience in burning audio CDRs, using pretty much all the popular software there, so I do know the general parameters of putting stuff on recordable media at least with a computer, I know about recording speeds, finalizing discs, using the proper media, types of media, etc. So I'm hoping to be able to pick up the knowledge I need to use a DVD recorder pretty quickly.

To start with, we are looking to spend $200 or less on this ... this is my wife and my Christmas present to ourselves, and that's about the sum total of what we have left after dealing with the youngsters ... although we could go a little bit higher for the right unit.

As I said, we are primarily looking at this for archival purposes, for converting VHS and 8 mm videotapes to DVD. I can't remember the last time we recorded a program off the TV to watch later, it's probably been years.

I am not interested in something that has a lot of bells and whistles and extras as far as editing, creating chapters, etc., although I'm curious enough to maybe try my hand at some basic stuff. We'd pretty much be recording the tapes as-is, though.

I'd really like to have MP3, WMA, CD and CD-R audio capability as well. I know one of the Lite-On units will burn audio CDs, but that's not a big deal for me as long as the unit I get will play the audio.

I'm also willing to consider something that may be less user friendly than other units, if it has superior performance, because performance is what I'm looking for ... and I define that as consistently good video and audio reproduction on recorded discs ... even though I'm realistic in knowing that with the $200 or less price range I've set, one can't expect the same level of performance you'd get with a really high end unit costing much more.

Here is one other thing, could be a drawback and would have to be taken into consideration. Right now, we do not have a TV with an S-Video input. I know we need to get one, but our thought was to do this first and get a new TV later. So I'd be looking for a unit that would either accept the setup we have now ... cable input is coming into our DVD/VCR combo, then output goes to the TV ... or would work OK with an RF converter, while bearing in mind that sometime within the next 6 months or so we'll almost certainly be getting a S-Video compatible TV.

I'm also interested in information on the relative advantages or disadvantages of getting just a DVD recorder and patching a VCR into it to use for converting tapes, or having a side-by-side DVR/VCR combo. I'd certainly be willing to consider a combo if it could give me the performance I'm looking for, but I will say that if I had to do it over again with our current player (Sanyo DVD/VCR combo), I'd have gotten separate units because right now the VCR part is on the fritz and it's a situation where if I were to put it in the shop, we'd be without both players.

I know this is a lot of stuff, but any help that anyone could offer would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[Zen of Encoding]

Looks like this might meet your needs and the price is right.
It's a Sharp brand model number DVRW340U:

http://newspaperads.mercurynews.com/ROP/ads.aspx?advid=32664&adid=2311026&subid=9585541&type=

[handyguy]

I dont use my vcr anymore since I got a dvd recorder. Try one of the Panasonics from circuit city. Also Pioneer....shucks, you can get one for $83 from philips outlet store.

Also, expect copy protection to kick in if you copy commerical videos.
https://www.videohelp.com/dvdrecorders

[PRW]

FYI, we're not planning on trying to copy any pre-recorded tapes, we've been slowly but surely replacing all those with DVDs and giving the VHS's to Salvation Army, etc., when we do.

[FulciLives]

I would go with JVC or Pioneer.

For JVC take a look at model DR-M100S. I have a Pioneer myself and I am very happy with it but a lot of people think the JVC looks a bit better when the source quality is not that great (as in regular VHS or 8mm Video etc.) and this model from JVC is about $200.00 or so thus putting it within your price range.

For Pioneer look for the 220/225 models. Both are the same just different model numbers since they were originally sold at different retail stores (Pioneer made 2 different model numbers so the retail stores could claim no price matching amoung each other). There is a slightly newer model (the 233) but it lacks features found in the 220/225 models. The price here is a bit cheaper than the JVC ... easily less than $200.00

For best price look at the PRICEGRABBER.COM website.

Good Luck

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

P.S.
Neither of these units do audio CD-R recording but excel at DVD-R and DVD-RW recording.

[steptoe]

Along similiar lines, can anybody suggest a half-decent but cheap video/dvd recorder combination with a TBC built-in so I can transfer my old and very old VHS tapes to DVD before I lose them altogether

Having read a bit about TBC I believe this can help restore the timing of the tapes and make the transfer better quality than one without a TBC

Make isn't important, as long as it does what is says

[FulciLives]

Along similiar lines, can anybody suggest a half-decent but cheap video/dvd recorder combination with a TBC built-in so I can transfer my old and very old VHS tapes to DVD before I lose them altogether

Having read a bit about TBC I believe this can help restore the timing of the tapes and make the transfer better quality than one without a TBC

Make isn't important, as long as it does what is says

Most of the stand alone DVD recorders have what is called a Line Based TBC which helps to an extent but with really "bad" videotapes you will need a Full Frame TBC instead of a Line Based TBC.

The cheapest Full Frame TBC is the AVT-8710 which goes for $189.95 + shipping.

Those on the forum here who have used the AVT-8710 have been (mostly) very happy with it.

Notice also that as a "side effect" a Full Frame TBC will remove all forms of copy protection and does so much better than the so called "black boxes" that are not really a TBC but are made just to remove copy protection.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[ejai]

I am a very happy AVT-8710 user. It works as advertised.

[somebodeez]

I am a very happy AVT-8710 user. It works as advertised.

Same here - I love it