Digital Bits Technology Column QnA

Question:

When our son played high school football during 1987 & 1988 I recorded the FM radio broadcast of each game on to VHS tapes and then I added TV highlights at the end.  As a present to him I would like to transfer these tapes, 20 more or less, to preferably DVD’s.  With 20 years plus age on these tapes I would like to do so while they are in reasonably good condition.  I have a Sony RDR-GX7 DVD recorder which I have used to copy VHS tapes that have both audio and video as well as tapes from my Sony Hi-8 camcorder to DVD’s with much success.  However, my dilemma is that my VCR will not produce a recognizable sound track of the audio only portions of the tapes to transfer.  I have a Dell Dimension 8400 with plenty of capacity with CD and DVD burners, Sonic programs as well as Pinnacle software.  Also I am considering buying DVD/VCR combo to replace one of my VCR’s that just died.  Can you offer a procedure including equipment to complete my task?
 
Thank you for any advice you may be able give me.

Answer:

The recordings that you want to convert are solely on VHS? An audio recording with video highlights at the end? If you’re already considering purchasing a DVD/VCR combo, be sure to get something like the one I mention in this article about VHS to DVD conversion.

…Then you can effortlessly convert your VHS tapes to DVD. Note the last user comment on that page, where I give an updated VHS to DVD converter.

The one thing that concerns me is that you say the audio on your VHS tapes is missing. If that happens with any VCR you put these into, there may be a problem with the tapes. In that case you might want to take your tapes to a professional VHS / DVD conversion service to see if they can recover the audio with high quality equipment. If this missing audio happens just with a single VCR and works fine on others, then you should be fine purchasing a VHS to DVD converter like the one I mention in the article above.

Response:

To clarify several points; all of the tapes that I want to transfer to DVD are VHS tapes, recorded at SP or EP speeds and I believe that all audio sound tracks are in tact.  The tapes seem to be in remarkable condition considering they are in excess of 20 years old.
 
Since I last wrote you I connected a JVC S-VHS HR-S3800U, VCR to my Sony RDR-GX7 DVD recorder and recorded an entire tape to a DVD+RW disc.  Originally the tape was recorded at EP speed.  Those audio-only portions of the tape were somewhat garbled, but intelligible and did record onto the DVD.  Upon playback of the DVD, it was just as intelligible as the tape itself.  Using the Super VHS VCR made quite a difference.  Thus as you have previously pointed out, apparently the quality of VCR makes the difference.  I am wondering if the Panasonic DMR-E75VS would do even a better and clearer playback than my JVC.
 
As I mentioned before I am considering buying a Sony RDR-VXD655 DVD recorder and VHS combo player with HD tuner.  In your opinion would this have comparable playback/recording qualities to the Panasonic?  I like the HD tuner in view of the upcoming switch to digital in Feb. 2009.

Answer:

The short answer: Yes.

Either unit would be fine for your needs, though the addition of HD compatibility on the Sony is better. The Panasonic does not have HD compatibility built-in, and you’d need a converter box to give it than functionality. That’s not the case with the Sony. As much as I personally don’t like Sony, they do make good products. I don’t approve of their business practices, but that won’t stop me from saying their RDR-VXD655 VHS to DVD converter will work well for you.

Other articles related to this topic:

• Reel-to-reel tape to MP3 conversion
• VHS to DVD recording speed recommendation
• Cassette tape high speed dubbing
• Echo when recording cassette in Audacity
• Cassette to Audacity recording problem with heavy static