I see you guys have been talking about PC's and Tuner Cards, and I don't use either of those.
I've done quite a bit of VHS-DVD dubbing of my old VHS's, and found that the OLDER the DVDR is, the more likely it will copy the VHS. I happen to have a pretty old one I still use it for that. I just do the composite cables into it from an old VHS player, and it works. NOT all the time though, so there's some limit to any dubbing one would do.
Another thing is, that I have some equipment with the HDMI connectors, and it is impossible to copy copywrited material on one of those. No doubt some very stiff software is included with that application.
Just thought I'd mention that.
Have a good Day !
S.W.