Overview of Top VHS to DVD Machines

!±8± Overview of Top VHS to DVD Machines

If you have a lot of old VHS tapes sitting around the house that you would like to convert into DVD format, your best bet is to purchase a VHS to DVD recorder. The VHS and DVD technologies are integrated into one single unit, which will update your old out-dated VHS player and give you access to high-quality DVD entertainment all at the same time. If you own a High-Definition television, you will want to be sure to look for one of the newer VHS to DVD units that will up-convert the video signal for use with HDTV.

Most of the newer VHS to DVD converter units that are sold today are much easier to use than earlier models that you may have used before, adding in better menu navigation features and a one-touch dub option. The best part is that these newer units require you to know very little technically about how to transfer your VHS tapes over and burn them to DVD format, so you'll be extending the life of your old home movies in no time.

You also have the ability to record television programming onto VHS or DVD if the unit comes with an integrated tuner, or if you add a TV tuner to it yourself. One thing you need to know, however, is that many of the DVD/VCR combination units are designed specifically to prohibit the transfer of copy-protected VHS or DVD discs within the system.

* The Samsung DVD-VR375/DVD-VR375A Up-Converting VHS Combo DVD Recorder

This unit is very reasonably priced and many of the automatic features that have been built-in to this unit will allow you to quickly and easily convert your VHS tapes to DVD with an extremely high-quality picture resolution, which is much better than a manual tracking type system. You can also play all of the recordable DVD formats with this VHS to DVD recorder, enabling you to play your burned DVDs on any type of player. DivX video files can also be played back with this unit, and you can even watch your videos on an HDTV screen thanks to the built-in up-converting feature.

* The JVC SR-DVM700US DVD/Hard Drive/miniDV Recorder

This unit is what is considered to be "professional grade" equipment, really fitting the bill if you are looking for a device that offers much more than the average home VHS to DVD unit. Because of all the features available in this unit, it is the most expensive one in our review, however it comes with a 250GB hard drive as well as a miniDV and DVD recording/playback feature, making it more of an everything-in-one device than simply an all-in-one. The only drawback with this device is that it doesn't have a built-in tuner or up-converter for HDTV video capabilities, however there are some seriously professional recording and editing capabilities included.

* The Toshiba DR420DVD Recorder, featuring 1080p Up-conversion

This VHS to DVD recorder from Toshiba is very easy to use and allows you to record and playback in High-Definition resolution quality. This device is very versatile and it is extremely easy to navigate the built-in menu system. You can even add a touch of professionalism to your burned discs by adding menus in for easier navigation.

* The Toshiba DVR670 with Built-in Tuner

This particular model of VHS to DVD unit is a very multipurpose device, which has been designed to allow you to convert any non-copyrighted content from VHS to DVD as well as from DVD to VHS, with added features available for additional formats such as CDs, MP3 files and DivX. This model also comes with a built-in TV tuner, enabling you to record television programming to either DVD or VHS using your choice of digital or analog video sources.

* The JVC DR-NV150B DVD Recorder and VCR Combo Unit

Some very versatile features come standard on this unit from JVC. It gives you the ability to record either digital or analog TV signals, due to the built-in NTSC and ATSC television tuners. You also have the ability to record your programming on a multitude of formats including all types of DVD formats, including DVD-RAM, as well as playback options for DivX and MP3 files. The JVC MV150B allows you to easily connect and transfer video from your digital DVD camcorder, using the built-in front-mounted DV inputs.

* The Magnavox MWR20V6

You can easily tape your favorite programs to either VHS or DVD using this very versatile VHS to DVD recorder. There are even some pretty amazing editing features, which are also easy to use, that can help you to edit out commercials before you burn the recording to DVD.

* The Sony RDR-VSD655

This unit is very easy to program, thanks to the intuitive graphical interface feature and various tape recording speeds, which give you the ability to record in the same quality as the 2-hour recording mode for up to 8-hours of programming with this particular VHS to DVD recorder. The one-touch dubbing feature, which allows you to record either from disc or tape, makes it very easy to dub your recorded content. A built-in video signal converter on this unit up-converts the video signal, allowing you to view your VHS and DVD recorded content in high-quality video on your High-Definition television.

Depending upon your budget and your VHS to DVD recording needs, there is a huge variety of new machines available that will help you to easily transfer your VHS tape content and be able to record television programming. These newer machines make it easy to digitize your VHS tape content to a DVD format without all of the confusing steps and technical knowledge that is required to do it via computer or through an older device. You can even record and save on-air television programming to your choice of DVD or VHS tapes using the built-in tuner and basic editing capabilities on these units, even removing the commercials if you choose, so you can watch your programming later in High-Definition.