Originally Posted By Yensid_96 I would like to make a DVD copy of my 'Day at Disneyland' tape as we watch it several times a month and am worried about the tape one day giving out. I had a friend try with no success, anyone here have a thought on how I could do this? I am only making a copy for my self, and for no one else...just want to preserve my tape not pirate. I have yet to try VHS to VHS as I was hoping for DVD, not sure that will work either. Any suggestions? Thank you!!
Originally Posted By trekkeruss The VHS tape is copy protected. You would need to buy a device to allow you to make an archival copy on DVD.
Originally Posted By kennect What exactly did the friend do? I myself have found the need to transfer tapes to DVD and haven't yet encountered a problem....There is the copyright issue but as long as you do this for yourself it shouldn't be an issue...Then again I have found a lot of issues regarding tape to DVD transfers regarding the format, etc...None of this I understand but ultimately I have worked it out...Is your problem related to copyrighted material or possibly format regarding the DVD?
Originally Posted By trekkeruss Not all VHS tapes have a copyguard. This is a separate issue from copyright law; I am talking about a physical electronic signal imbedded on the tape wgich prevents simple dubbing. At least this is what I am assuming is the problem.
Originally Posted By kennect Trek, I understand what you are saying but I have yet to encounter the socalled signal embedded to keep me from transferring tapes to disc....I have found more issues with format, etc...I have a handful of tapes that I would love to presevre on a DVD disc since I want to throw my VCR out the window...It is worthless at the moment...
Originally Posted By kennect Trek, I forgot to say this even though I did...I am no expert but it sounds like this problem has to due with format issues regarding the DVD disc itself or the attempt to create a DVD disc...There are so many formats, plus/minus whatever, at the time some work when others won't in regards to what type player you own...A bit of playing around by some one should show a sign as to what the true problem is...Frustrating yes but if it weren't why would it be fun? Just kidding...This stuff drives me nuts but yet I can't help myself from trying to figure it out...Regardless, I am no closer to understanding it today than I was yesterday....It seems regardless of format there is some workaround that will make it happen for you....
Originally Posted By mickhyperion Route your VCR thru a video camera then out thru firewire into your computer. Use a capture/movie editing program (such as iMovie) then a DVD burning program (such as iDVD). I have been able to copy every VHS and DVD I've wanted to using this method, including the very latest releases.
Originally Posted By mawnck Some devices--in particular those DVD-VHS combo things--will refuse to kick into record for a copyguarded tape. Others will record . . . something. It really depends on what your standards are. If a light-dark-light-dark picture with intermittent color and a tearing top third is fine with you, then knock yourself out. To do it properly, you'll need something that removes the copyguard on the way from the VCR to the DVD or computer, which means a DVD/VHS combo machine is out of the question. Running the video through a video camera as described (I presume he means through the camera's video input, not taping off the TV screen) might work under the right circumstances. Or you can check out the Sima Copymaster - a little overpriced box that removes copyguard from video signals. Note to admins -- he is trying to do something 100% legal, which is exactly what the Copymaster is intended for. You'll have similar problems trying to make a VHS copy. BTW . . . copyguard doesn't affect Betamax at all. Just thought you'd like to know.
Originally Posted By Yensid_96 Thanks guys, I am not sure what my friend did. He took the tape home for a weekend and said he tried several times unsuccessfully. He has been able to do other VHS tapes, just not this one. Mickhyperion...can I ask you what firewire is? Thanks again for all your suggestions, one of them is bound to work. I plan on trying them all until I finally get it done.
Originally Posted By TALL Disney Guy I wish I had some more equipment, I would love to transfer some things I've recorded on VHS to DVD as well for preservation.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss Firewire is a kind of cable connection. It's like a USB cable, but supports higher speed data transfer, such as that needed with video.
Originally Posted By knightnfrees If you know someone who does tape transfers professionally, they could run a copyguarded VHS through a Time Base Corrector and you'd be able to t-fer to a DVD w/o any problem.
Originally Posted By Yensid_96 Thanks trekkeruss!! knightnfress ~ I wish I did know someone like that, hey any of you live in the greater Seattle area? LOL I really do appreciated the tips. Thanks again!!
Originally Posted By mawnck Firewire = i-link = IEEE-1394. It's the best and most common way to get from a MiniDV camcorder to a computer. A time base corrector is not for getting rid of copyguard, although there are some that do it as a sort of a side effect. Those are usually found at professional TV production facilities, so it'd probably be cheaper to spring for a Sima Copymaster from ebay and do the job yourself.
Originally Posted By tiggertoo TDG, I'm in the procress of doing that as I type (been doing it all week in fact). I bought a Panasonic DMR-EH75V for this very reason, not to mention the the DVR/DVD recorder comes in handy. It's a great piece of equipemnt.
