Posted by irwin on 02/06/07 17:13

On Jan 18, 1:51 am, "J Brockley" <jbrock...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> "irwin" <irwinsin...@verizon.net> wrote in message
>
> news:1168817884.148570.232670@l53g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...> I want to convert dozens of VHS tapes to DVD. Am I better off buying
> > a high-quality DVR (e.g., Pioneer DVR-640H-S DVD Recorder) and inputing
> > the VHS signal from a stand-alone VHS player. Or, should I buy a combo
> > VHS / DVD recorder (e.g., Panasonic DMR-EH75VS Progressive Scan DVD
> > Recorder with Built-In 80GB Hard Disk) as your article seems to imply?
> > I'm wondering if the latter, which is designed specifically for
> > converting VHS to digital, would do a better job converting VHS than
> > simply pushing analogue signals into the more sophisticated DVR like
> > the Pioneer? Clearly the Pioneer has many other advantages, e.g.,
> > recording from airwaves, bigger HD, double layer DVD outputs; but I'm
> > worried that it won't intelligently grab the VHS signals.
> > I've read several replies to previous question and most say "don't
> > buy a combo." Is that still the consensus of the community?
> > Thanks, Irwin
>
> Likely as not you already have a VHS deck so rather that get the compromise
> of a 3 in 1 spend the money on a bigger and better HDD/DVD .

Here's some feedback on my decision, which was to buy the high-
quality DVR Pioneer DVR-640H-S DVD Recorder. First, it takes a bit of
time to figure out the controls (so what else is new?). Secondly,
it's much 'klugier' than the easy programming on a computer, e.g.,
adding titles to recorded broadcasts. Thirdly, it's overprotective,
i.e., it not only tells you that you can't copy commercial DVDs, it
also kept me from copying a DVD I made (I got around it, but I can't
remember how). See
http://www.bigpicturebigsound.com/pioneer-dvr-640hs-dvd-recorder-923.shtml
for an excellent overview.
I've dubbed a few tapes to the HDD. It works fine. After two weeks,
I have to say that aside from the convenience of having it beneath my
TV set in the bedroom, I would probably recommend using a computer
with a VHS tape player inputed to convert tapes, edit them and burn
DVDs. Computers and keyboards are so much better than remotes for
editing.

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