I have been asked to extract a short video film (a very precious wedding
video) on VHS cassette into a 21st century format so it can be viewed
again.

I need to decide whether to send it off somewhere to be done
'professionally', or DIY it? If so, any suggestions as to what kit would
give decent enough results (given that the video was pretty crappy 1980s
VCR quality anyway; but I don't want it to get worse!). I do have an old
domestic VHS player which was consigned to the back of the workshop about
10 years ago when a cassette got jammed inside and I never bothered sorting
it. I expect I could nurse it back to health? And it would be quite
useful to have the necessary hardware in house, as there are a few more
tapes I'd like to view and digitise too, ideally.

If the panel reckons I should just send my tape away somewhere - any
suggestions as to where? What would be the best primary output spec - some
form of computer video format or standard DVD format? (whichever primary
file I get, the actual file will end up being viewed both via DVD and
computer screen).

Thanks

--
David