I'm looking to buy a DVD recorder for the primary purpose of transferring several VHS tapes to DVD. I was curious which players would be best suited for this (ideally there would be a VHS player included so the transfer could all be done within this one unit). Also I'm extremely particular about the audio and video syncing up perfectly, so ideally the recorder wouldn't have this as an issue when it comes to transferring footage. And although its not required at all, it would be great if the player could be hacked to play PAL DVD's. Thanks.

I'm looking to buy a DVD recorder for the primary purpose of transferring several VHS tapes to DVD. I was curious which players would be best suited for this (ideally there would be a VHS player included so the transfer could all be done within this one unit). Also I'm extremely particular about the audio and video syncing up perfectly, so ideally the recorder wouldn't have this as an issue when it comes to transferring footage. And although its not required at all, it would be great if the player could be hacked to play PAL DVD's. Thanks.

Just keep in mind that DVD Recorders with a built in VHS player will not allow you to copy a macrovision protected tape.

Just keep in mind that DVD Recorders with a built in VHS player will not allow you to copy a macrovision protected tape.

Can you give me a link to show how to properly transfer footage with separate DVD and VHS players?

I do not have a link for you, but...............
You'll need 1 DVD recorder, 1 VCR , 1 unit to strip the macro-vision from the tapes (such as SIMA model ct-2) and RCA cables (1 length white/red and two lengths of yellow) S-video will also work for Video, as long as all the units have that as an option.
AUDIO goes directly from OUT on VCR to the IN on the DVD recorder, VIDEO goes from out on VCR to the IN on the SIMA, then from the OUT on the SIMA to the IN on the DVD recorder.
I'm sure there are other devices to remove macro-vision, you'll have to do some checking on that, as I don't know of any right off hand.

Would it be possible to transfer the footage to DVD with a combo player and then get one of these software programs to remove all the copyright protection:

http://www.dvdidle.com/dvd-region-free.htm
http://www.dvdfab.com/free.htm

I'd much prefer using some sort of computer software to remove the protection, rather than hardware.

Would it be possible to transfer the footage to DVD with a combo player and then get one of these software programs to remove all the copyright protection:

http://www.dvdidle.com/dvd-region-free.htm
http://www.dvdfab.com/free.htm

I'd much prefer using some sort of computer software to remove the protection, rather than hardware.
are you wanting to transfer (c/p)copy protected commercial vhs (movies, etc) or non copy protected homemade/non commercial vhs tapes.
if the former, you'll need the c/p removal hard/software(pc) connected after the player and before the recording device. before you can transfer.

are you wanting to transfer (c/p)copy protected commercial vhs (movies, etc) or non copy protected homemade/non commercial vhs tapes.
if the former, you'll need the c/p removal hard/software(pc) connected after the player and before the recording device. before you can transfer.

For the most part I'm looking to transfer non commercial tapes. But there are a few commercial videos too. Can you recommend PC software I can use to remove the copyright protection (ideally involving a combo player).

For the most part I'm looking to transfer non commercial tapes. But there are a few commercial videos too. Can you recommend PC software I can use to remove the copyright protection (ideally involving a combo player).

sorry, no; i use a hardware solution, sima ct2.
and dont own nor would i own a combo player. if it breaks, the whole thing is kaput!

Would it be possible to transfer the footage to DVD with a combo player and then get one of these software programs to remove all the copyright protection:
Absolutely not. The instant a DVD recorder sees the content protection signal in the video stream, it disables the record function. If what you are asking were possible, then what what would be the point of CP since copies could be made? The only way to possibly do what you want is to get a video capture card for your PC and bypass the initial DVD step completely.

As I work on my own collection of VHS tapes, I have an observation. The real issue with respect to a good end product, a good-looking transfer, is not so much what DVD recorder you use, but what VHS player you use. Many of my tapes will not play well anymore, and that makes for transfers that are MUCH worse than the difference between, say, a Sony and a Pioneer DVD recorder.

When I was dong a lot of VHS recording, I was warned that for compatability between machines, I should use SP rather than EP mode. That would have been three times as expensive, both in money and storage space, so I ignored the suggestions. Now that I am trying to recover some of this content years later, I wish I had not been so cavalier in my attitude. Sigh... I am now trying to find an S-VHS player compatabile with the one I used to record some of my tapes. Getting a good quality signal to the recorder is by far my biggest hurdle.

Church AV Guy,
I would have to agree. I am at about 150 out of 200 vhs to DVD conversions.
It is definitely advantageous to have access to more than one tape player,
and then pick the best. On some, audio was superb but pic quality was marginal.
Some would track low speeds recordings better than others.....etc.
The original machine (if possible) on which the tape was recorded, seemed to be
most often preferred. Having a choice in playback decks can make a big difference.
....and worth the effort if the material is important.

It really useful for me!

As I work on my own collection of VHS tapes, I have an observation. The real issue with respect to a good end product, a good-looking transfer, is not so much what DVD recorder you use, but what VHS player you use. Many of my tapes will not play well anymore, and that makes for transfers that are MUCH worse than the difference between, say, a Sony and a Pioneer DVD recorder.

When I was dong a lot of VHS recording, I was warned that for compatability between machines, I should use SP rather than EP mode. That would have been three times as expensive, both in money and storage space, so I ignored the suggestions. Now that I am trying to recover some of this content years later, I wish I had not been so cavalier in my attitude. Sigh... I am now trying to find an S-VHS player compatabile with the one I used to record some of my tapes. Getting a good quality signal to the recorder is by far my biggest hurdle.

After my own extensive dubbing/copying project (around 5,200 titles) I must affirm your advice.

A lengthy description of this project, including detailed product comments, is found in this post:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=13955310#post13955310