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07-09-2020 11:34 AM
The last of our two VCR/DVD player recorder combos died recently (the VCR eats tapes and the DVD player/recorder "whines" when we put in a DVD). We would like to transfer our old video cassette tapes to DVDs. When I looked on line to see what it would cost for this sort of combo machine, I could not believe the prices for them (even for used ones).
We have some videos of my late mother that we especially want to transfer. I wondered if there still are professional VCRs out there for purchase. I thought that they woud be more solidly built.
Does any manufacturer even make VCRs anymore? If so, are there any reliable ones?
Also, is there a move to quit selling DVD players that also record?
Thanks for any help you can provide.
07-09-2020 12:14 PM - edited 07-09-2020 12:15 PM
I think photo shops like at CVS do that. I would definitely have your most precious ones transferred ASAP....I have read a VCR tape only has about a 10 year lifespan before it starts to disintegrate/ lose quality.
07-09-2020 12:23 PM
07-09-2020 12:36 PM
I have used legacy box twice now. If you get on their email list, you can see when they run specials. The last time I used them I got 60% off. The first time I transferred 3 VCR tapes to a small thumb drive. The second time, I transferred 10, 8 mm tapes to a thumb drive. Those were from 1995-1996, and they said the one of the tapes had quality issues, but they transferred it anyway.
I am going to keep doing this, going from the oldest tapes to the newest, until they are all done. We don't often go back to watch home movies. BUT, I hate the thought of them going bad when I took the time and trouble to video tape so much (hours upon hours of soccer, baseball, basketball, football, & track).
Legacy Box does a good job of making it easy to do, and they keep you updated every step of the way. It is a bit scary to send your precious stuff off, but it is well worth it. Good luck!
07-09-2020 01:44 PM
@alicedee wrote:I have read a VCR tape only has about a 10 year lifespan before it starts to disintegrate/ lose quality.
@alicedee My still working VCR is 30+ yrs old as well as my tapes. They have not disintergrated or lost quality. I store them flat rather than sitting up.
I use to transfer my tapes to DVD myself. It was pretty easy. But I tripped over the converter & broke it. Now I let the professionals do it for me - Walgreens and/or CVS. Well, actually, I am now done converting as of 3 yrs ago.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
@Writer with Flair If VCR/DVD combos are not found at your local in store Best Buy or record shop(s), Amazon has a bunch of them for reasonable prices.
"Never argue with a fool. Onlookers may not be able to tell the difference."
07-09-2020 02:43 PM
@Mz iMac wrote:
@alicedee wrote:I have read a VCR tape only has about a 10 year lifespan before it starts to disintegrate/ lose quality.
@alicedee My still working VCR is 30+ yrs old as well as my tapes. They have not disintergrated or lost quality. I store them flat rather than sitting up.
I use to transfer my tapes to DVD myself. It was pretty easy. But I tripped over the converter & broke it. Now I let the professionals do it for me - Walgreens and/or CVS. Well, actually, I am now done converting as of 3 yrs ago.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
@Writer with Flair If VCR/DVD combos are not found at your local in store Best Buy or record shop(s), Amazon has a bunch of them for reasonable prices.
I'm glad your tapes are still in good shape! My ex had a machine that converted all ours to dvd. He promised to make me copies of them when we divorced, so I left them with him. Liar, Liar, pants on fire. 🙁
07-09-2020 02:59 PM
Friends of mine own a store that transferrs any of your VHS or Beta tapes to any other format, DVDs, thumb drive, you name it.
They do such a nice job. They have had the store for about 30 years. And because their eqipment is first rate anything transferred is sharp and clear.
07-09-2020 03:10 PM
I went to a local electronics store and they will transfer for $5.
If you want a used vcr try your pawn shops or ebay.
07-09-2020 03:23 PM
07-10-2020 03:45 PM
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