How to Copy Video to DVD
- 1). Get a DVD burner. This is the easiest option. Simply connect cables from the VCR output to the DVD recorder input. Play your video tapes and press record on the DVD recorder. You will get a DVD in real time.
- 2). Try a capture device that converts video tapes to MPEG2 files. This process is a bit more cumbersome than using a DVD burner. You must buy a piece of hardware that you may only use a few times. Connect the analog VCR to the digital MPEG2 converter box. Press "Play" and "Record." The device will burn a DVD.
- 3). Go through the editing program on your computer. Your program must convert your VHS tapes to DV format. This will encode it to an MPEG2 file. You can then burn a DVD on your computer. There are pros and cons to this method. Since your video will be in DV format it can be easily edited on your computer. However this download method takes much longer than the others. You also need the proper cables to connect a VCR to your computer.
- 4). Consider reducing the resolution when converting VHS tapes to MPEG2 files. Many devices and software allow you to convert at half resolution. The quality is still pretty good and it will allow a lot more information to fit in a limited space on a DVD. Otherwise it may take more than one DVD to hold the contents of a 2 hour VHS tape.
- 5). Pay someone to do it. This is the best option if you don't have the time or patience to dub piles of video tapes. There are many companies that will convert your video tapes to DVD for a price. Be sure that you are dealing with a reputable company. If you don't, you may not get your tapes and DVDs back.
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