[Vintage-Audio] Converting VHS to DVD

Wed Jul 8 15:26:26 EDT 2009

Hello Charlie,

Thank you. Excellent information to be aware of.

I am going to put you on the spot Charlie, but I would not if I were not 
totally confident you can handle the question!

I am totally blind, now. I was shot by a careless stranger who was Pheasant 
hunting in a residential area. Illegally. That was the afternoon before i 
turned eighteen in October of 1964. I mention this so that you understand I 
have full visual imagery and nearly total recall of what I saw. Hence, I 
comprehend "visual" termonology and have a mind's eye loaded with countless 
images to call upon. So do not worry about saying something I may not 
understand etc.

I hate using remote control units. All of my audio and video equipment is 
stand alone and does not connect to any external computers etc.

If I am understanding you correctly: You suggest that I avoid a combination 
machine that converts a VHS tape into a CD. Right? You want me to use a good 
quality VHS deck, feed that signal out and into a good quality DVD deck.

I assume the DVD deck is both play and record. Now does this DVD deck have a 
side one that is 'play' only and a side B that is both play/record? I could 
copy a DVD from side A to side B, provided the copyright protection did not 
block me from doing so, of course.

Which of the DVD decks that you mentioned do you "believe" would be the most 
user friendly for a totally blind person?

I prefer using the controls on the deck, not having to use the remote for 
normal functions!  Since I have no plans to try and replicate visual 
effects, insert text titles and so forth, my primary use will be to copy a 
VHS tape onto a DVD. I will set what must be set initially, with the remote 
if needed, and then leave it alone. At least for the most part anyhow.

I spent thirty years on stage performing as a professional 
Magician/Illusionist. I have accumulated quite a few TV clips on VHS tape 
that I would like to preserve on DVD. I also have numerous commercially 
filmed performances I did, hired the video filming done, and would like to 
transfer those performances onto DVD for preservation. As well as several PR 
video showcases that I would also like on DVD's.

I have several high end, higher quality, VHS decks. Including MGA Super 8, 
converted the Sony Super 8MM film to a higher resolution VHS tape.

Thank you in advance for any suggestions you may have Charlie.

Duane, W8DBF

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Charles E. Fox" <cfox1 at cogeco.ca>
To: "Vintage home and professional audio equipment from 1975 back" 
<vintage-audio at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Wednesday, July 08, 2009 9:06 AM
Subject: Re: [Vintage-Audio] Converting VHS to DVD

> At 03:28 PM 7/7/2009, you wrote:
>>Charlie,
>>
>>As in copy from a good quality VHS deck to a stand alone good quality DVD
>>deck?
>>
>>Thank you sir -
>>
>
>         Hi, Duane:
>
>         I haven't noticed much difference in the quality of playback
> of a first generation VHS tape in any of the vcrs I have here. ( JVC
> BRS 811, 822, Panasonic AG1960, and Panasonic and JVC consumer type 
> machines)
>         Of the DVD burners I use, (Panasonic , Sony, Toshiba, and
> Pioneer,)  the quality is excellent in all of them, but I find myself
> using the Pioneer most often for it seems a bit less complicated when
> setting up disks, making titles, finalizing, etc.
>         While I haven't found any difference in quality in different
> brands of disk, I use Memorex  Printable DVD-R for client's jobs as I
> have found that DVD+R disks  sometimes refuse to playback in older 
> players.
>
>         Cheers
>
>                 Charlie Fox
> Chas E. Fox Video Production
> 793 Argyle Rd. Windsor ON N8Y3J8
> 519-254-4991,  cfox1 at cogeco.ca
> www.chasfoxvideo.com
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