How to Record a DVD Movie Onto a VHS Tape

Use composite and stereo audio cables to connect a DVD to a VCR.

While it is illegal to copy official DVD movies, you can transfer home movies on DVD to VHS. There will be a significant loss of resolution in the transfer, so consider using good video cables instead of the ones that come with the VHS. Also check the VHS after the recording to make sure it came out OK.

Things You'll Need

• DVD player
• VCR
• S-Video or Composite video cable
• Stereo audio cables left/right
• New blank VHS

Instructions

1. Connect the video cable from the DVD player output to the VHS input. Use an S-Video cable if you have an S-VHS recorder for better results. Otherwise, use the composite cable.

2. Connect the left/right audio pairs from the DVD output to the VCR input. These are color coded white and red.

3. Insert a new VHS tape. Set the VHS recorder for SP instead of EP to get the best recording quality. This setting is sometimes found via a button on the recorder. Or you'll have to press "Menu" on your VCR's remote and scroll to "record settings."

4. Power on both units and insert a blank DVD into the DVD player.

5. Press "play" on the DVD player and "record" on the VHS simultaneously.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have an older VCR without composite inputs, you will need an RF modulator to convert the cable outputs from the DVD player to a coaxial output.

References

• DV Creators: Copying DVD to VHS

Resources

• Radio Shack: RF Modulator