How to Record VCR Tapes

VCR cassette tapes remain one of the easiest forms of video recording available. While a recorded tape may not give the same picture and audio quality as a digital recording, VCR tapes are still useful because they can be transported and used in any VHS player. They also can be erased and reused multiple times. Anyone with experience using a DVR or other recording/playback machine should quickly pick up how to record VCR tapes.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Recordable cassette tape
• VCR
• TV set

1. Check the write protect tab on the cassette. This tab is located on the font end to the left and must be attached. If it has been removed, creating a small hole at this end, the cassette won't record and should automatically play once inserted in the VCR. If this is the case, cover the hole with any small piece of adhesive tape.

2. Insert the cassette into the VCR. It must be inserted with the two label sides facing up and in front. This means the tape's exposed reels are on the bottom and the flap covering the actual tape is the first part inserted.

3. Play the tape to see if anything is previously recorded on it (use the VCR Play button). If the tape has been recorded on but you wish to use it, erasing the tape with an electromagnetic eraser will improve your recording's quality. Press the eraser against each transparent window on the cassette, turn it on, and run over the tape in circular motions for 10 seconds.

4. Place the tape back in the recorder once it is ready for use. Make sure the VCR is tuned to the correct channel to record. For basic TV, it must be the broadcast channel you will record from. For cable or satellite, it should be the auxiliary line out (L-1) channel or the default TV channel the cable/satellite signal broadcasts on.

5. Press the "Record" button to begin recording. With some older VCRs, you may have to press "Record" and "Play" at the same time. The VCR may take a few seconds to "wind up" before it begins recording.

6. Use the "Pause" button to temporarily halt the recording and hold it in that exact spot on the tape. Resuming recording should involve pressing the "Pause," "Play" or "Record" buttons. It varies depending on the VCR you are using. If you leave the tape paused for 3 to 5 minutes, it will automatically stop the recording completely.

7. Stop the recording altogether with the Stop button. Hit the same button a second time to eject the cassette from the VCR.

Tips & Warnings

• Label the cassette after recording so it won't get mixed up with any other cassettes. This is especially true if you plan to keep the recording for a long time. Remove the write protect tab if you don't want the tape recorded over. It will come off very easily (and permanently). Insert your fingernail above the top edge of the tab, and pull it out and downward.
• Beta cassette tapes will not work with a standard VHS video recorder. These cassettes are smaller than VHS tapes, are usually colored gray instead of black, and require a Beta cassette player. They have not been used by the mainstream public for several years, however.

[zaabent]

on 10/18/2009 Copying BETA MAX Tapes/Cassettes into DVD

Hi,

We have some OLD Beta Cassettes/TAPes with us, printed following on different tapes etc.

L 750 SG,
L 830
Dynamicron 250,
L 750 A
750 SPG,
SUPER SR
DX,
D124BQ L 750,
N143E L 500 SPG,
C076A L500
L 750 UHG,
A317A L 750
0308D L 250 PG,
K 163 BB L 500 S
L 750,
Dynamicron 500
750 PG,
Dynamicron SD

We wish to COPY contents of these Beta TAPs into DVDs. Please let us know if you carry a copying system so that we can CLEAN these OLD BetaCam TAPs for FUNGUS and copy them into DVDs.

Waiting for your reply with time required to CLEAN a TAPs of 120 minute, time required to copy into a DVD, price estimate of the mechine, work flow, warranty terms, payment terms etc.

Prompt reply BEFORE 17-Oct-2009 will be appreciated.

-
Regards and best wishes,

Mohammed Ashraf
Zabeel Enterprises
Dubai - UAE
Tel : [phone]
Fax: 00971...