Why can't I copy vhs tapes using the rca cables and my expresscard tv tuner? Do I need a converter?

Is the VHS tape you are trying to record a commercial VHS tape (movie)? If so, it may have copy protection on it. The recorder is probably programmed to prevent you from making and using DVDs of commercial copy-protected VHS tapes.

Hi Rick
I think you are painting yourself into a corner. So to Speak.
Why buy a SetTop Box to convert to an old VHS Tape when you can buy a Digital Recorder for probably the same price.
The modern way to Record video is to use a Hard Disk Drive Recorder rather than a VCR. They have a built in tuner and can record 2 stations at once and have a built in Electronic Program Guide. The EPG info is transmitted with the Digital TV transmission from the broadcaster.
I bought one 2 weeks ago for an old 85yo friend so he could record late night stuff and play back later. He still uses the VCR but only for old VHS Tape playback. It was a TEAC HDR9650TS Digital Video Recorder and I picked it up new for Aus$188.
Here are the unit features

1. Main Features:
   DVB-T Twin Digital Turners
   DVR Recording: Record three channels while watching a 4th from same network Smart Series Record feature to record a whole series at a touch of a button
   2.5" Sata Hard disk: 500GB
   Time Shift Function (Pause live TV)
   HDMI Digital Output
   Digital Audio Output
   CVBS/YPbPr/SPDIF connectors
   Supports TV formats 4:3 and 16:9
   Electronic Program Guide (EPG) up to 7 days in advance
   EPG searching and auto download
   Recorded program edit
   Parental Control
   Copy files from internal HDD to external HDD
   Built-in WiFi
   Network Playback
   USB 2.0 Interface

Now
This was my original reply until I saw the light.
So, Hopefully one of these will answer your queerie.

A digital TV picks up the new Digital Transmission and stores it in memory, then supplies the high definition to the input of your TV.
With a STB, once the digital broadcast signal is captured by the Set Top Box tuner, it is stored in memory and then it is converted to Video Format and comes out of the back connectors as a standard video & audio signal on the Red & White (Audio) & Yellow (Video) as a composite signal that can also be attached to an older VCR tape recorder.
If the STB output connectors have a Red White & Yellow RCA plugs then it is all ready to be picked up by an older TV or VCR.
Most set top boxes also have HDMI Output for high definition video & sound in the one cable, which attaches directly to the back of your TV (assuming it doesn't already have a tuner (STB) already built in).
HDMI is the state of the art cabling for modern devices. But probably not on the old VCR.
It will either use Component, Composite or SVideo cables. Match one of these cable standards up with your VCR.

Cheers.... Trevor
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Most VCRs need to be connected in a daisy chain or a splitter from your input source. (You may need a tuner with some VCRs these days; either a digital to analog converter for a VCR with an NTSC tuner or a different tuner source.)

If you have analog cable or a cable box with coax out and a VCR with an NTSC tuner, use the daisy chain method. Connect the incoming cable or the coax out from the cable box to the VCR's coax input. Then connect the VCR coax out to the TVs coax input.

For a VCR without a tuner, you'll probably find a RCA composite video line in option on the VCR. Connect your cable box or converter box composite output to the VCR composite in. For an OTA source, you'll need a splitter to send the signal to both the TV and the converter box.

Most TVs do not have a video output option.

I hope this helps.

Cindy Wells

U have cables or satallites tvs services hook up.U can record VHS tapes and used any DVD/VCR recorder machines hook up.Because the pay services does convert the signal back to analoge tv signal so u can record VHS tapes.

No,this can be done only copyright materials through the VHS box converter run through a computer with a programs call copy decoders programs.Than u can copy VHS copy protected matrials.Than u reburn it back to DVD disc.So this require alot of work,time and money so not worth it to copy commercially VHS tapes to DVD Disc.

If you have video/audio inputs 1 yellow, 1 red 1 white, then you can purchace a HD converter box and use that box to attach the rf cable and then input the RCA jacks from the Converter to the TV.
Good Luck

You need to connect the ariel to the vcr, then the vcr to the card, using a male/female fly lead. Then I suggest putting an origional film tape into the vcr, press play on the vcr and then scan in the channels on the card. It should pick up the vcr's output of the film that is playing.

Yes, that's mostly what I use mine for. You actually copy your VHS to the Hard Drive, then copy from your hard drive to your blank DVD. I'm about 1/3 of my way through reformatting my VHS library (800+ tapes.)

Try using DVD/RW disks with pausing the recording when you change VHS tapes.

Hi,

If your plan is to copy a VHS movie to a blank VHS tape, the connections would require a 3 wire RCA connector/cable. The unit where the original movie will be played will be the player. Connect the yellow video RCA cable to the VIDEO OUT, the red & white to the AUDIO L/R OUT. On the 2nd unit designated as recorder, slip in the blank VHS tape. Connect the other end of the RCA 3 wire cable to yellow VIDEO IN, the red & white to the AUDIO L/R IN. Connect the RF OUT of the 2nd unit (recorder to the ANT IN of a TV set. Set the TV to either Channel 3 or 4 as the case may be.

If the recorder has a manual selector or via remote, pls verify that it is set to Video and not tuner (or channels) input.

Press Record on the recorder (2nd unit), press play on the 1st unit (player). The TV will serve as monitor to your copying progress.

Hope that this be of some help/idea. Pls post back how things turned out or shoould you need additional information.

Good luck and kind regards.