Copying DVD / VCR tapes???

[nocrapps]

I have an infant who watch a , elmo dvd (in the past 1 1/2 years- until now the DVD is all scratched up. I also have several tapes (I bought at the thrift shop) that are starting to get ruined in the VCR (Because they are old & used)- is there a way to dub both the dvd's & the Video? I tried to put a dvd in & record it with the VRC - but all I got was the sound. I'm trying to get a second copy of everything- so once the original gets messed up- I will have a back up. MOST of the cassetts are soooo old- im not even sure if I can find them to buy, once they are damaged. ANY SUGGESTIONS???? THANXXX

[licketychick]

Most commercial DVDs and videotapes protect their copyrights with a scheme called Macrovision, which prevents casual copying of the material.

You need to get something called a Digital Video Stabilizer to copy tapes to DVD or different tapes.

DVDs can be ripped to PC using DVDshrink and then reburned to recordable DVDs.