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Respected Contributor
Posts: 3,826
Registered: ‎08-21-2013

Last of VCR/DVD combos died--Need to transfer tapes to DVD--Help!

     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.

 

      

     

Respected Contributor
Posts: 4,036
Registered: ‎07-25-2010

Re: Last of VCR/DVD combos died--Need to transfer tapes to DVD--Help!

[ Edited ]

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.

Respected Contributor
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Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Last of VCR/DVD combos died--Need to transfer tapes to DVD--Help!

Esteemed Contributor
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Re: Last of VCR/DVD combos died--Need to transfer tapes to DVD--Help!

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!

Always remember that you are absolutely unique. Just like everyone else. Margaret Mead
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Re: Last of VCR/DVD combos died--Need to transfer tapes to DVD--Help!


@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. whew.gif

 

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 

@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."


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Respected Contributor
Posts: 4,036
Registered: ‎07-25-2010

Re: Last of VCR/DVD combos died--Need to transfer tapes to DVD--Help!


@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. whew.gif

 

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 

@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.  🙁

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Posts: 8,034
Registered: ‎03-14-2010

Re: Last of VCR/DVD combos died--Need to transfer tapes to DVD--Help!

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.

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 5,510
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Last of VCR/DVD combos died--Need to transfer tapes to DVD--Help!

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.

 

 

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Registered: ‎08-21-2013

Re: Last of VCR/DVD combos died--Need to transfer tapes to DVD--Help!


@alicedee wrote:

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.


 

@alicedee

Thanks for letting me know.

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Re: Last of VCR/DVD combos died--Need to transfer tapes to DVD--Help!

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