[Technology] Watching old videos on the tellybox - solutions, advice sought

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

I have lots of old videos and a massive old video player. The latter takes up too much room. I looked online for a modern smaller videp player and I found all sorts of starge objects I don't understand including video to DVD converters (about 60 quid) and Scart to HDMI adaptor (eh?).

In homage to BG, may I ask the advice of the discerning lady or gentleman over what sort of thing to buy?

The simplest solution would be a smaller video player that connects via an HDMI cable to the telly.

Alternatively (for when I retire) a box that I can shove in a video and burn on to dvd.

Why? I have some cracking old telly on video, and indeed old BHA vids, that I'd like to be able to keep and watch, and videos and the old player take up too much space.

I thank you.

 

[Knocky's Nose]

If you only watch Videos occasionally why not just have a VCR you can dig out and have a watch now and again - then retire it to the loft?

 

[PeterOut]

You are looking at about £300 for a combined VHS* and DVD recorder (play the tape in one slot, it records to DVD in the other slot). You will need to check the dimensions - with 2 slots, it may be just as big as your existing tape-only machine.

This sort of thing - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Panasonic-DMR-EZ47-Recorder-Combination-Up-Conversion/dp/B000QDENXG/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&qid=1595018517&refinements=p_89%3APanasonic&s=home-theater&sr=1-1

*unless you have Betamax - I would say you are stuffed if that is the case.

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

You are looking at about £300 for a combined VHS* and DVD recorder (play the tape in one slot, it records to DVD in the other slot). You will need to check the dimensions - with 2 slots, it may be just as big as your existing tape-only machine.

This sort of thing - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Panasonic-DMR-EZ47-Recorder-Combination-Up-Conversion/dp/B000QDENXG/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&qid=1595018517&refinements=p_89%3APanasonic&s=home-theater&sr=1-1

*unless you have Betamax - I would say you are stuffed if that is the case.

Many thanks. I think I'll revisit this one after I retire. One problem with VHS of course is whether you want to play it or transfer it, the fastest you can do it is in real time. Cheers

 

[Music City Gull]

I have lots of old videos and a massive old video player. The latter takes up too much room. I looked online for a modern smaller videp player and I found all sorts of starge objects I don't understand including video to DVD converters (about 60 quid) and Scart to HDMI adaptor (eh?).

In homage to BG, may I ask the advice of the discerning lady or gentleman over what sort of thing to buy?

The simplest solution would be a smaller video player that connects via an HDMI cable to the telly.

Alternatively (for when I retire) a box that I can shove in a video and burn on to dvd.

Why? I have some cracking old telly on video, and indeed old BHA vids, that I'd like to be able to keep and watch, and videos and the old player take up too much space.

I thank you.

I just noticed you’re in faversham but I did a quick google search for Brighton and there are several companies that will convert the vhs for you if you’re interested. One of those things once it’s converted you’re done with it and no longer have to deal with the vhs aspect, plus you can digitize it and easily pass down to family as a file. No sure if the vhs stuff is stuff you want to keep for family, etc. but if so checking out a company like that might be worth it in the long run, plus you no longer have to worry about getting any sort of machine you then have to either get rid of or store. Just my two cents.

Here is an example of one company
http://www.videoimageprod.co.uk/brighton-vhs-to-dvd-conversion-service/

 

[beorhthelm]

im afraid the VHS-DVD-R combo boxes recognise copy protection, at least the one i have from some years ago. best to just find a VCR of suitable size with HDMI out (if these exist). long term its a case of finding some set up to output the VHS into a seperate DVD-R, maybe a computer/laptop to transfer.


to add i think in the end we binned off most our VHS on basis we never watch, or on telly once a year, those we want are cheaper to replace on DVD in sales. and with Musicmagpie etc most DVD can be got for a few quid good condition.

 

[GT49er]

I just noticed you’re in faversham but I did a quick google search for Brighton and there are several companies that will convert the vhs for you if you’re interested. One of those things once it’s converted you’re done with it and no longer have to deal with the vhs aspect, plus you can digitize it and easily pass down to family as a file. No sure if the vhs stuff is stuff you want to keep for family, etc. but if so checking out a company like that might be worth it in the long run, plus you no longer have to worry about getting any sort of machine you then have to either get rid of or store. Just my two cents.

Here is an example of one company
http://www.videoimageprod.co.uk/brighton-vhs-to-dvd-conversion-service/

If he's got a lot of videos, doing it this way will cost shedloads more than buying a converter!

 

[Music City Gull]

If he's got a lot of videos, doing it this way will cost shedloads more than buying a converter!

Thanks! Good to know, was just giving him another option.

 

[beorhthelm]

...

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

Thanks! Good to know, was just giving him another option.

And it was appreciated

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

im afraid the VHS-DVD-R combo boxes recognise copy protection, at least the one i have from some years ago. best to just find a VCR of suitable size with HDMI out (if these exist). long term its a case of finding some set up to output the VHS into a seperate DVD-R, maybe a computer/laptop to transfer.


to add i think in the end we binned off most our VHS on basis we never watch, or on telly once a year, those we want are cheaper to replace on DVD in sales. and with Musicmagpie etc most DVD can be got for a few quid good condition.

Thanks. I'll look for a small vhs player with HDMI out. Transfer will be another job for retirment (ditto digitizing some vinyl that has never been released on CD or uploaded onto youtube and other more hairy-arsed sites).

It is the self-recorded off the telly stuff I want to keep. Cheers!

 

[GT49er]

Alternatively you could just get one of these - fairly small. easily stored away and won't need to be wired in to your normal TV set up.

https://www.google.co.uk/search?sou...dzLXdperABCg&sclient=psy-ab#spf=1595090569743

 

[Papak]

Maybe there is a need for a [History] tag rather than [Technology] for this sort of thing?

I appreciate the BG reference and good luck in your quest...

 

[Herr Ing Gull]

If you have a camcorder you can use that to convert vhs to a digital file. You need an adaptor from scart to whatever the camcorder input is. Then connect the camcorder output to your computer. It's a bit of work up as you have to do it in real time. I only had a couple of hours worth. But it is cheap!

I think there may have been some free software involved as well - it was a couple of years ago and I haven't got the laptop anymore so can't be more precise.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[happypig]

I've got a VHS to DVD machine. I converted all my tapes a while back. I used to set it going at bedtime and let it run.

Be careful what you buy, there are machines that are marketed as DVD/VHS player/recorders that only play DVDs, they don't write them.

 

[father_and_son]

I have lots of old videos and a massive old video player. The latter takes up too much room. I looked online for a modern smaller videp player and I found all sorts of starge objects I don't understand including video to DVD converters (about 60 quid) and Scart to HDMI adaptor (eh?).

In homage to BG, may I ask the advice of the discerning lady or gentleman over what sort of thing to buy?

The simplest solution would be a smaller video player that connects via an HDMI cable to the telly.

Alternatively (for when I retire) a box that I can shove in a video and burn on to dvd.

Why? I have some cracking old telly on video, and indeed old BHA vids, that I'd like to be able to keep and watch, and videos and the old player take up too much space.

I thank you.

Most decent TVs no longer have scart sockets in the back, replacing them with smaller, thinner, modern standards (HDMI). Most VCR machines will pre-date HDMI and so a Scart-to-HDMI converter would almost certainly be part of any setup going to old player to new TV.

As said by others you want a DVD recorder and a VCR, connected via HDMI and go through a slow process of moving everything to DVD... Or skip one stage and connect the VCR to a laptop via a decoder and digitise the whole lot (you are then free to burn dvds if wanted).

I did this to my old VCR collection about 15 years ago. One tape per evening while you do other things and it'll be done before you know it. (Then a little editing/trimming) as a longer term project. (80s TV still had adverts to be cut out if you have the patience!)

 

[BHAFCLive]

I used this product, plugged into the back of an old VHS player and connected to my laptop and it works a treat. Doesn't need to connect to TV either, plays out on laptop screen so can leave it to record overnight or whilst watching something else on TV. Can then store the recorded files online or burn to disc from computer, software comes with it.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B002Y4GTVO/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1