Has anyone transferred their VHS tapes to DVD. I'd like to do it, but I fear that maybe after a few years, the DVD might not play right or something (and what i put on it will be lost).

When you transfer shows to DVD, what kind of DVDs do you use? I want to stick with a name brand (Sony, TDK...) I think.

Also, how are the DVDs stored?

I have SOOO many VHS tapes, and I can't possibly put the shows on DVD and then keep them on VHS and DVD. I need to get rid of the VHS, but I don't want to do that unless I can make sure what I am putting on DVD will last.

Thank you

You need to buy a DVD recorder first...if you don't have one, they are cheaper now.

I'm not an expert but I wanted to put my sister's home videos of the family on DVD, so I played the VCR and attached its cables to the video camera input on my tv, then recorded it to the DVD recorder...it worked..sorry if that's not specific enough, but you can search this on the web also, it's good to have a TV with several video inputs.

I think I used Sonys, you can get them in a big batch in Staples (Get the DVD+R if that's what your recorder uses, but not RW), check how to finish it in the DVD recorder (it's called "finalizing").

Thanks,
I have a recorder and all that stuff. I was just hoping to hear from some people who've put shows on DVD a few years ago and know that they are lasting. My biggest worry is trying to play a DVD in a couple years and not be able to.

For example, if I put a rare series on DVD that I know won't be released, it would horrible trying to watch the episodes and see that one or two dvds in the set doesn't work.

make two copies of each and store them in different locations - in other words keep your backup copies of the really important stuff at a friend or neighbor's house in case of flood, fire, or fricassee.

I think you can relax. I have CDs, which are still working after many years, and I don't think DVD is worse. But I think you should keep your tapes too. The DVDs shouldn't take that much extra space. Put them somewhere else, and let your video tapes stay where you keep them now.

I've had a DVD Recorder since last year, and the only discs that fail to play are the ones that I put CD labels on top of. I thought that since CD's and DVD's are the same size that it wouldn't matter what label I put on them. Boy was I wrong, The CD labels are much thicker than DVD Labels, and It's pretty hard getting them off too.

Other than that, all the DVD's I made have worked, I have about 200+ custom made DVD's, and I keep them in DVD Binders for safety.

I use Sony DVD-R's because other brands have been a little iffy (Memorex, Fuji, Maxell), I've had no problems with the Sony's so far. Last August I bought two Sony 50 DVD-R spindles, and last week I finished one spindle, now I'm onto the other one! I burn about 5-6 DVD's a week, I mostly record WWE stuff, Classic Movies and TV Shows.

It depends if you care about quality. I've been transferring for over 5 years. I currently have 4 recorders I use, all Panasonic. Basically if you do it right and don't look to pinch pennies by buying cheap stuff at crapmart, you'll be fine. I use JVC S-VHS VCRs with a time base corrector for playback. It improves the picture quality immesurably. For DVDs, I use Taiyo-Yudens only. And never record at less than 2 hour speed. Also, store the discs in jewel cases, not sleeves which scratch the discs. If you do things properly, you should not have any problems. I've transferred over 15,000 TV shows so I know what I'm talking about. And they are the occasional bad discs in a batch. Just make sure you spot check the disc after you finalize it.

Family Feud

Family Feud Oh I guess you must've misunderstood...see some user wanted to know if she (I believe it's a she...it....I don't know....can someone confirm that?) could transfer VHS' onto DVDs' and you thought probably that by the name of the thread (Putting shows onto DVD) that it would be totally different--like releasing various shows on commerical (in-store I mean) DVD's. I'm sorry...but you're wrong if that's the case. I mean why would you mention Family Feud for another reason? :confused:

I think what I've heard is that any labels will hurt a CD/DVD. I guess nothing is certain as to how long they will last but certain companies make "gold" standard disks, I have some Efilm CDs from Delkin Devices that are supposed to last a really long time, I put digital photos on them. If you look them up, I would think they must have DVDs. But they are expensive, however it might be worth it for your favorite rare show?

Whatever you do, do NOT use labels.. Any kind!!!!

In the past couple of years of trading, I've received some DVDs with labels. Stupidly, I didn't transfer them right away to blank disks and trash the ones with labels and now not ONE of them will copy. I've received these DVDs from different people and some are 6 months others maybe less than 2 years.

The DVDs will play (sorta), and I am using a two DVD players (one being the recorder) to transfer the show from one DVD to another. It's a pain.

I transferred all my VHS to DVD in a weekend:

I hooked my VHS player up to my computer (if your computer has the red/white/yellow hookups it is easy). I hooked it up to my PC the same as I would my TV and then used the intervideo media recorder. I saved all the VHS copies on my hard drive as a MPEG (did not lose any quality) and I even cut out the commericials by editing them myself after. When I had over 200 minutes I recorded/burned them onto DVD using the same software, it will auto format for you. I have played them on all age DVD players with no problem. I labelled them both on the actual disc itself and on a menu that intervideo allows you to make. I used DVD labels that I printed. It is so much cheaper then buying a DVD/VHS recorder. A recorder may be quicker but on the computer I could make a menu, edit commericals/content, and did not have to be present if the tape ended. I could set it to record and end with the tape.
Oh and its very user friendly, I am not very computer literate and I figured it out in a matter of minutes. PM me if you want to try this and I can give you more info on how to do it....

Oh labels will make the DVD uneven in your player...they have DVD markers or DVD labels that will take up the entire top side of your DVD. If you are going to label your DVD make sure you label all the way around so that the print does not weigh down one side of the DVD. Never put a label with markings only on the top or bottom of the DVD. I use a label maker that puts the title on the label in a circular position that wraps around the entire DVD, or I make a square sheet and put it in the sleeve so I know what it is instead.

One suggestion I have for people buying DVD recorders is, for GOD'S SAKE, DO NOT buy anything that says Cyberhome on it. It is not worth your money at ALL.