Take old VHS tapes or not?

Hello, everyone.

I'm having a hard time letting go of some of my old VHS tapes as I'm planning for my upcoming move to Orkney, Scotland. I've heard you can get DVD/VCR machines in the UK that are compatible with US tapes and the uK televisions. Has anyone had experience trying this? Is it worth hauling the tapes over there, or should I just let go of them? Thanks so much for any advice.

Rhonda

I had one of these years ago which was dual voltage and played both country's VHS tapes. However we went over to DVD's and now only watch Netflix and regular TV. Unless you have a classic collection I wouldn't bother shipping them.

I agree.  If you want to keep them you'd be better off finding a place that will transfer them to DVD or to a hard drive as video files.

Bin them.
I haven't seen one of those DVD/VCR combo machines in over 10 years, and don't know anyone who even has one.

When my SIL died, and we were clearing out her stuff, I took boxes of VHS tapes to the charity shop, and they wouldn't take them, as they said no one would ever buy them.

Bin them.
I haven't seen one of those DVD/VCR combo machines in over 10 years, and don't know anyone who even has one.

I used to have one (I bought US DVDs and VHS tapes in the US when I lived there and needed something to play them on). However, I got it for my 21st birthday and that was quite a long time ago... back when people were still using VHS tapes on a regular basis!

I don't have it anymore and I have no idea if you can even still buy DVD/VCR combo players.

When my grandma downsized and moved, my mom was going through family stuff and found loads of family videos on VHS (she was one of 6 kids so there was plenty to transfer).

They bought a VHS-DVD recorder and transferred everything. To get the most out of it, they shared it with friends and family.

That was 5-10 years ago.

Keep in mind that if you do transfer to DVD, it will either need to be a UK DVD (region 2) or you'll need to bring a US DVD player (region 1) that will work here.

You don't need a DVD/VCR combo if your TV has a scart socket or two. Connect the DVD and VCR to the TV via scart leads then play the tape and record on your DVD. Just make sure you rewind the tapes onto the spool to tighenen them so that they don't droop (and then snap) during recording. Poundshops have scart cables, scart adapters.

Or if you feel adventerous, you can buy something like this
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Easycap-USB-2-0-Video-Audio-VHS-to-DVD-Converter-Capture-Converter-Card-Adapter-/252046770451?hash=item3aaf288113

You play the tapes on the VCR and upload them to your computer. You need a lot of space but can use an external hard drive. Once on your hard drive you can then either directly record onto a good quality DVD (to delay the deterioration rate); somethiing as good as a Taiyo Yuden DVD. Or before you record on DVD you can use that programme to improve the quality of the recording, take out scenes, put in chapters, add titles and dates etc and then record onto a good quality DVD.

DVDs will be easy to move with.

These are all very helpful answers. You gave me a lot to choose from - thanks so much.

This might be too late but I came across a company called Southtree.  They will convert your video and other things to digital.  They are having a great sale right now and I am looking to send them about 20 of my own VHS tapes.  I have a VCR to DVD burner machine but I don't want to deal with the hassle anymore.  It has been very time consuming to do this myself for the amount that I have.  And now with the move coming up this seems an efficient way to be done with the VHS tapes.  I haven't used them before but the prices are comparable and I am going to try the sale.