My girlfriend's parents are interested in a unit that will let them pop in a VHS tape and a blank DVD and record the VHS to DVD. Lots of family videos on VHS.

They are very tech unsavvy (they still record TV shows by hand with a VCR) so ease-of-use is probably the most important feature. If it's got other features, that's fine, but the basics need to be easy. They are not interested in using a PC for this. They don't mind spending a few hundred bucks on one.

I found a bunch at Amazon but have no idea what's good and what's not. Most of the more popular devices seem to no longer be for sale.

Thanks.

I assume that they are concerned about the quality of the transfer. In most cases, the best results are gotetn from using a separate player and recorder. If possible use the same VHS machine on which that the tapes were recorded. Connect the VHS player to the DVD recorder with an S-Video cable (if possible, composite if S-Videl is unavailable) and audio R/L cables. Then connect the DVD recorder to the television. This will require three extra cables, and pushing one more button than a combination unit, but the results will be superior.

Put the tape in the VHS player, a blank in the DVD recorder, press play on the VHS machine, and record on the DVD recorder, and let it run.

As far as current models of recorder go, I have to let others answer that question.

I don't think they still have the original camcorder, unfortunately. AFAIK, they just have a relatively crappy VCR, too.

In general, the VCR's in these things are relatively crappy, too.

That's why a separate VCR of better quality was suggested.

In general, the VCR's in these things are relatively crappy, too.

That's why a separate VCR of better quality was suggested.

Fair enough.

What are my chances of being able to get a decent VCR and DVDR for under $300 or so? Any suggestions?

What VCR do they have now? If it's truly a piece of junk, look on eBay. Some of the older Sony, Panasonic, and Mitsubishis were solid. Probably others. You should be able to find a good one for under $50 or so, maybe a tad more for an S-VHS model.

A DVDR with a hard drive will be recommended, as they'll make the dubbing so much easier (record to the hard drive, edit if necessary, then burn.) But those are getting hard to find. You should snag one around your $300 budget, including the VCR, though.

I'm pretty sure it's junk. My parents have a Sony SLV-740HF. It's kind of old. Any ideas if it's worth using?

I don't know about that particular one, but the SLV-679HF I have is a good, if unremarkable, machine.

You could always try it with a DVDR, and if it isn't up to snuff, get another VCR. In any event, there aren't any truly good combos made anymore.

I'm pretty sure it's junk. My parents have a Sony SLV-740HF. It's kind of old. Any ideas if it's worth using?

Before scrounging ebay, try your local pawn shops for a vcr. You may be able to find a decent one at a good price.
If your girl-f's parents have a decent enough vcr that will playback the home movies will tracking problems, then the Panasonic EA18 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260423707589&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fshop.ebay.com%3A80%2F%2520260423707589%3F_fr om%3DR40%26_trksid%3Dp2773.m38.l1313%26_nkw%3D%2B26042370758 9%26_sacat%3DSee-All-Categories%26_naf%3D1%26_fvi%3D1&_rdc=1 may suit them. Connect the vcr's yellow video, red/white audio outputs into it, and they can record to disc,

I tried looking for a simple unit at a fair price (at both Amazon and ebay, but no luck. The ebay route can be a bit frustrating at times, so the next recommendation I make cautiously.

I'd never, ever recommend this to someone who isn't as tech savvy as those of us here, but..
http://www.redtag.com/Panasonic_DMR-EZ48VK_1080p_DVD_Recorder%2fVCR_Combo/a802654959.html
The Panasonic EZ48 could possibly be the answer. I only suggest it because of the price here. While looking at other models, I'm finding the prices for the simpler recorders almost the same, if not more than what's here. This is a refurbished by Panny unit with 90 day warranty from Panasonic.
-It can simply dub home video vhs tapes to a disc. Insert tape, play it to check tracking, then rewind to the start of the home movies, insert quality brand blank dvd, and press the dub to dvd button on the unit.
-it has features which, your gf's parents may not need.

Again, I'd never recommend it to the tech challenged, because the Panny EZ line has been fraught with issues that have even the most experienced users here pulling their hair out, typically related to the digital tuner. But if all they need is to get their home movies onto disc, and don't plan on using it for much else (the vcr side, if pleasing to them, can be utilized if they wish).

But if their present vcr allows playback without tracking problems on the tape, or you can find a good unit at a pawn show or online, then a Phillips or Magnavox recorder at Walmart would be the best option. If it's unsuitable, then it can be returned.

I hope you can find something that works for them.

Sony RDR-655.

works like a charm and very very reliable.