copying VHS video tapes to DVD

[GeraldCC]

Hi Guys,
I am running the server version of Ubuntu with KUbuntu KDE4 front end. Version 
10.10.
I would like to image my VHS video tapes to DVD but have problems getting the 
video into Linux. I cannot copy the tapes even under Win$. the copy program 
says the tape is protected.--even from 20 years ago.
Any thoughts on  a Linux way copy copying the tapes?
Hardware/software????
Gerald