I have lots of videos and was wondering if I buy a dvd recorder can I play a video tape and burn it? are there any copyright protection issues, and do I need anything else? any help ideas please thank you in advance.
To answer part of your question: If you have a DVD/VCR combo machine you will be able to dub to/from disk/tape. All machines (as far as I know) will NOT do copyright material. There are probably ways around this. I do not know what additional would be required. Someone else would be more qualified to address that issue.
Well, I assume you buy a standalone DVD recorder (not a combo vhs dvd unit) but all recorders will pick up the Macrovision protection on comercial VHS tapes. Solutions: 1) Have a couple of DVD recorders in mind and do a search for a MAcrovision hack for them. This is usually a key code entered via the remote control but often also makes the unit region free. OR; 2)Connect the two units via a scart method but do a search for a special scart lead which has a micro chip in it which cuts out the macrovision signal between the two units. ( I have one of these and it works well)