Recommendations for VHS to DVD capture

[Bullworth]

My dad has a bunch of VHS home video tapes he wants to tranfer to DVD. I need a simple solution for him with good quality because my preferred solution would probably be too complicated for him.
I would use a good capture card and SVHS to record and then try to improve it somewhat with some AviSynth filters, encode to DVD compliant specs and then burn. The simplest solution I can think about for him would be to hook up a VCR to a DVD recorder but I have no experience with these and quality with many seems to be iffy.
Are there any simple and direct solutions anyone can recommend with the least amount of post processing anyone can recommend?

[redwudz]

I would consider picking up a DVR from Walmart or similar as the simple solution.

[bendixG15]

I've been thru this with some friends.

Forget the editing and the enhancements. Just get the box that takes a VHS tape and spits out the DVD.

You try to get them to do anything more and you might as well move in with them. Because all they do is call you to come over and show them how to do it and it never ends.

[vhelp]

ditto that last remark from bendixG15. So true.

Bullworth, I would ask (you) the question, are these commercial videos or home recorded
videos that he made over the years ?? and what are their Age and Conditions, etc.

Other than that, I would also itterate the suggestion to just get a DVR (dvd recorder) and blow
them all away in it. You can prob get good quality (pending on the recorder of course) if you
select the recorders feature of CBR and choose the highest bitrate it offers, usually around 9.4MB
or something around there. That will be enough for one hours worth of videos. Then, just make
two disc's if they require them and pop'em in some cheap thin plastic jewel cases for 'em. He
prob won't notice the difference anyway and think they are professional. Heck, go ahead and
take the credit in this case. You would be hard-earnt (a v-word, worthy/worth it) for it

I recall Fulcilives made a few demos of commercial video vhs samples last year or so
from one of his Pioneer DVR's. I don't know if you've seen them, but they were pretty good for
what your dad will need in terms of quality, from his perspective.

Good luck,
-vhelp 4571

[Bullworth]

Thanks for all the replies. They are just home movies, nothing commercial. Any brand you would recommend? I've always liked JVC or Panasonic. The brands Walmart carries seems to have mixed reviews. I'll have to hit Best Buy and Circuit City tomorrow to see what they have and then do my homework on them. I'll see if I can dig up those samples from Fulcilives. Thanks

[vhelp]

Any brand you would recommend?

Well, not really. I've been away from that area for quite some time now, though I still have
several units, iLO 04; Pioneer; Polaroid;

But, have a look at the following link (below) where all the brands/models have been tested.
On the first page is a listing of all the units. Just click on the units you are interested in
researching and go from there. At least its a starting point for ya

--> DVD Recorder models - Picture Quality and Features Analysis -- by trhouse; 091505

---

(The sample that Fulcilives made included a demo of the movie, "Blade". I still have that
demo on my HDD somewheres, but since I'm on dial-up, still, I can't, otherise i'd pop up some
where's for you so you can get an idea of the quality levels that DVR's provide for basic vhs
archival or transfer, etc)

-vhelp 4572

[bmwracer]

My dad has a bunch of VHS home video tapes he wants to tranfer to DVD. I need a simple solution for him with good quality because my preferred solution would probably be too complicated for him.
I would use a good capture card and SVHS to record and then try to improve it somewhat with some AviSynth filters, encode to DVD compliant specs and then burn. The simplest solution I can think about for him would be to hook up a VCR to a DVD recorder but I have no experience with these and quality with many seems to be iffy.
Are there any simple and direct solutions anyone can recommend with the least amount of post processing anyone can recommend?

Funny you should mention this: I've been transferring a coworker's 20 VHS tapes to DVD of his kids growing up...

Whew.

The DVR I'm using is a Panasonic DMR-ES10 that I bought several years ago... So far, no glitches. *fingers crossed*

It's gotta be the simplest method to perform this task...

[Bullworth]

Thanks. I think I'm gonna go with a Panny since I've never had any problems with their products. Just have to start checking out the local stores to see what I can get there as well as online. Thanks guys.
20 VHS? Think you got it easy bmwracer. My dad has about 50+ tapes and many of them at LP or EP

[victoriabears]

I've been doing this for years and end up with a dvd recorder and taking the discs to a pc and using TMPG author to edit and make menus, if you have any recordings which are poor then the copymaster may help or just see what a good dvd recorder makes of them, as I've said in many posts the Panasonic dvd recorder/vhs combos with diga make a good stab at getting the best out of your tapes.


Sharp are good, those with the best picture system, also the new Pana sonic VCR/dvd recorder combos really make it easy, and do enhance the picture, this DIGA thing really seems to work.
Trying to find the closest VCR to that on which they were recorded is a good idea.
JVC S Vhs vcr's with tbc/dnr seem to do little for LP tapes.
_________________