What format is used when the VHS is copied to the DVD ? I have copied the VHS tapes onto Verbatim DVD-R discs. They will not play on my computer. Verbatim says I need to know what format they are in on the DVD so I can find the right player/'software to put on my PC.

no easy way to do this unfortunately. You either need to connect your VCR to a DVD recorder and record it directly onto DVD or use a device such as this http://www.dx.com/p/easycap-usb-video-capture-adapter-5707 to connect your VCR to your computer and record it onto your computer that way.

Did you say you used a DVD-RW disc to transfer a videotape onto? The reason your PC won't recognise that disc is because the data format on it is a different language to what PCs understand - plus an unfinalised DVD-RW won't play in other DVD players - it is usually an incompatible format.

(DVD+RW discs with titles/top menus created in video mode CAN be played on a PC DVD drive or a normal DVD player as can finalised DVD-R discs (DVD-R discs MUST be recorded and finalised in the same recorder for compatible playback). DVD-RW discs can only be viewed on the unit they were written/recorded on.

The other reason for the 'remaining space' on the disc you describe showing less than 120 minutes is due to a title recently being recorded or erased - unless you format it - the 120 minute / 4.7GB DVD-RW will not show full available space. Erasing titles on re-writable DVDs does not increase space. The same rule applies to unfinalised +R / -R discs (you cannot re-format these to get the space back once recorded - they are 'once only' writables)

I recommend you invest in some DVD-R discs and re-copy your VHS tape to that - then if you are satisfied with the result, title etc., finalise the DVD-R - it will play on any DVD player or PC with DVD support (or it should). These discs are relatively inexpensive to buy just about anywhere.

Final note: do NOT finalise the DVD-RW you recorded (I hope you haven't already done this) - simply format/erase it - re-use it for something else or keep it until you need it.

You can use any brand of DVD, just take note of the format before recording/playing.

Whether the movies would play or not depends on the format in which it was copied to the DVD. It is good for you to know that DVDs have their specific format that they work with.
Burning a media file onto a DVD disc without regarding the format would render it unable to play on any DVD player.
This may be the cause of your problem. You have to take it someone who is a professional in this field and ask him to help you re-convert or dub them into the DVD disc.
Hope this was helpful?

Check through, the settings of Magnavox and do the similar region
settings in your other DVD.

In short to say, recording format and the play back format does not
match. if you corect this through the MENU available, it should be OK.

May be your other DVD is old model!

It sounds like the recorder will only record the dvd+ format, which does NOT need finalizing to play in other machines. ( you can record a dvd- , play it back on the machine you recorded it on, but need to finalize it to play on other machines)
The other units may only accept dvd-.(dvd- being the same format as you would buy or rent a film on)
One option, record the dvd on a dvd+rw (if possible) then copy to a dvd-r using your computer. The average use of a dvd+ is 1000 recordings.
There are many free disc burning suites available to download. Just google "free disc burning software" and take your pick.
I use 1 called "magix goya base" for copying disc to disc and "NTI" for burning to HDD and then to disc, if you only have use of 1 drive.

You have either used a disc that is not compatible with your dvd player, or used the wrong file system for the dvd and/or format, have not finalized the dvd recording.
If you use a dvd-r for recording, the disc has to be finalized, regions use different formats of video(UK=PAL, USA=NTSC)
The easiest way to use your disc would be to convert the video to avi format(xvid divx mp4/3) and burn to a disc as data format.
Download ANY VIDEO CONVERTER FREE,
and ASHAMPOO BURNING STUDIO6 FREE .
Use the converter to change the video to avi, use the studio to burn the video as a data disc, you can get up to 14hours per standard dvd(28 hrs on a dual layer). Put the disc in and it will play as a DivX dvd.

just play your movies from vhs iput your audio/video to computer with TV CARD and video input. then record it and burn to DVD format after recording.

Read your manual first to make sure the unit will do this.If it does chances are it won't record unless it has a decoder built in.Most VHS tapes have macrovision protection that prevents you from copying them.It will however,record homemade VHS tapes.There are decoders out there you can buy to enable you to copy VHS tapes.

I called the manufacturer. They admitted to improper instructions. They provided me a fix to their copying protocol and it worked. Also, they game me instructions on how to fix already copied tapes. It works well and I would have to say I was impressed with their customer/technical service.

Direct copy VCR to DVD:
- Insert VHS tape you want to copy
- Insert a recordable DVD disc
- Press DVD copy button on front panel or remote control (to DVD).
- To stop recording press the stop button.

IMPORTANT: If attempting to copy copyrighted material the Samsung DVD-VR320 will detect the encoding and will not allow the copy to be made.