OT: Self-contained VHS to DVD burner??

JackW wrote on 8/24/2005, 10:25 AM

Need some help please:

We've been approached by the mother of an autistic young man who has 30-40 hours of VHS tapes that he wants to burn to DVD. She asked if there was a device similar to the old VHS-to-VHS decks that would allow him to burn VHS-to-DVD without having to involve software, computers, etc.

Is there such a device? If "yes," can you recommend one I can get for this chap? I'm going online now to look, but as always the direct experience of those in the Vegas community is invaluable.

Jack

Comments

ScottW wrote on 8/24/2005, 10:55 AM

Lot's and lots of them. Stay away from "Lite-on" - they don't produce compliant DVD's (at least the model I got sure didn't), also stay away from JVC; I had 2 of them die within 6 months of purchase. I've generally been pleased with the Samsung DVD-VR320's we have; the only problem I've found with them is that if you have it prepare a chapter menu, some players have trouble playing back the created DVD.

--Scott

DVDeviations wrote on 8/24/2005, 10:55 AM

Hello,

I have a Sony RDR-VX500 Video Cassette Recorder/DVD recorder. This unit is great, I have made at least 100 DVDs with it, everyone has been able to play them. You can get up to 2 hours on one DVD, the quality looks the same as the original VHS, it also has a firewire port so you can also put Mini DV or Hi8 tapes onto DVD. I have even connected a Betamax machine to the Line2 in port ot copy Betamax tapes to DVD, etc.

You can even put part of one VHS, stop the recording, then put a different part of the VHS or another VHS on that DVD (basically leave out what you don't want). Or, do some basic editing when bringing MiniDV or Hi8 to DVD, if you are using DVD RW ... Menu is fairly easy, also.

I recommended this unit to small photo lab store owner, he said it paid for itself within a month, they love it.

You can buy this one at places like Best Buy for about $400.00.

BrianStanding wrote on 8/24/2005, 1:53 PM

I'll second the vote for the Samsung VR-320. These units also do internal dubs from DVD to VHS and firewire dubs from DV to either DVD or VHS (or both!).

Chanimal wrote on 8/24/2005, 7:18 PM

I have two Panasonic DMR-e75v's. Fantastic quality, hard to use menu system. The VHS is also a super drive so it has good quality to begin with.

I picked them both up at pawn shops--in like new condition.

I purchased it specifically for a project similar to what you are referring to.