What Is A VHS DVD Converter Machine?
One of the easiest ways to convert VHS to DVD for all of your old home videos on VHS tape is to use one simple VHS to DVD converter machine. Also known as a “combo VHS DVD recorder,” it is a VHS to DVD recorder that not only plays VHS tapes but can copy VHS to DVD as well. One VHS to DVD machine performs both functions so there is no need for a complicated VCR to DVD set-up with lots of cables. It is basically a combo VCR DVD converter – all in one housing. In other words, it is a VHS with DVD recorder – an all-in-one VHS DVD recorder combo machine
The Pros Of A VHS To DVD Recorder Combo
The main benefit of using VHS to DVD recorders to transfer VHS to DVD is that it takes much less time than if you were converting VHS to DVD by going through a PC or Mac first and then burning the digital signal to a DVD disc burner. This method allows you to connect a VHS to a DVD burner without computer. Unfortunately, there are a few drawbacks with the converting VHS DVD machine.
The Cons Of A VHS To DVD Recorder Combo
A VHS to DVD transfer machine can only transfer analog video directly to DVD so therefore it achieves a lower quality. Also, with a video to DVD transfer machine there is really no way to edit your video. That means no cool menus, no chapter dividers, and no titles. Despite these cons, the VCR to DVD converter machine makes the conversion process much easier and much more convenient.
How To Buy A VHS To DVD Recorder
When you are preparing to purchase a VHS to DVD recorder, keep these important factors in mind.
- Is it compatible with your current DVD disc format? Since the transfer VHS to DVD recorder will replace your current DVD player as well as be a transfer VHS to DVD machine for you, it needs to work with your current DVD format.
- Make sure that the device you are buying is not just a combo DVD player. A combo DVD player is not a combo DVD VHS recorder. A player only plays the DVD. It won’t actually act as a record VHS to DVD machine for you. If the device you are buying says it is a combo DVD VHS player, it MUST have the DVD component and the convert VHS to DVD recorder component as well, otherwise, it will be simply a playing device and not a conversion device.
- Make sure the VCR to DVD machine can upconvert to 1080i or 1080p resolution. Upconverting is how a transfer video to DVD machine takes an older low-resolution VHS tape and scales it up so that it can be viewed on a newer high-resolution television. This makes it more than a VCR converter to DVD. It actually improves the quality of your video and makes it worth watching all of these years later on a big screen high definition television.
- Check to see if the VHS DVD machine has an HDMI cable connection. This will also increase the video quality as it appears on your television. Without an HDMI cable connection on the VHS to DVD converter machine, you cannot actually see the improved resolution that the upconverting process offers you. Of course, your television must also have an HDMI cable as well.
- Confirm that your recorder will come with a 1-year warranty. The best VHS to DVD recorder usually offers a 1-year warranty.
Top 5 VHS To DVD Machine Models
Here is my list of the best five VHS DVD combo recorder machines. All of them meet the qualifications above. All of these DVD and VCR combo player machines range from $180 to $500. Use one of these if you want a convert VCR to DVD machine.
- Panasonic DMR-EA38VK combo DVD recorder
- Panasonic Diga DMR-EZ48VK combo DVD VCR
- JVC DR-MV150B combo DVD VHS player and recorder
- Toshiba DVD670 combo DVD video machine
- LG RC897T DVD and VCR combo
Summing Up This Article On How To Buy A Convert VHS To DVD Machine
So, to sum up, if you are looking for a lower tech method that is simple way to copy VHS to DVD recorder – without a computer, the various DVD recorder combo devices are great alternatives to a computer and a DVD burner. A number of different VHS to DVD burner machine models are available to serve you in your efforts to convert your old VHS tapes. All you need is a basic video transfer machine – a DVD and VHS combo – and you are in business. All of this is possible – and is essentially a VHS to DVD burner without computer. Good luck!
2 comments
Mark says:
July 23, 2011 at 5:24 PM (UTC -8 )
Thanks for the information. If I convert to DVD using a combination machine and then subsequently load it onto my computer, will I then be able to edit it?
Thanks.
Marty Holthaus says:
July 24, 2011 at 12:29 AM (UTC -8 )
Thanks for the question, Mark. Yes, if you used a combination machine and then load the converted video onto your computer, you could eventually edit it. However, this is not the preferred method. For instance, after burning a VHS tape to DVD, you would need special software to convert the playable DVD into a file format that could be used with video editing software. This would be unnecessary and reduce the resolution of your video. A video capture tool like the Grass Valley ADVC 110 would be a much better choice. Video capture hardware like the Grass Valley models help you preserve all of the detail and quality that is present in your original video.
If, however, you have video that was long ago converted to a DVD using a combination machine, and now you want to convert that video and edit it, you can. The results will just not be as good. Look for more info on this topic in the weeks to come.