I read a short blurb (one or two paragraphs that included a photo) about a new Sony 'black box' that would convert a VHS tape to a DVD. It was priced at $80.

That's the first and last I heard about it, anywhere.

Anyone know anything about it?

Also, what is the suggested retail price of any recommended products that perform this conversion? Nothing fancy, just put the VHS tape in one side, a blank DVD in the other and push the 'convert' button. Two - six hours later you have a DVD that will play the content of the VHS tape on a DVD player.

Thanks.

I have never seen this, but all recent DVD recorder combos will do this, but you need to select the DVD recording speed so you will have enough space to copy the tape. This dubbing function is quite simple to use. I have Sony RDR-VX525 that does this. What I do is buy them as-is and then repair them, test and sell usually on craigslist I did ebay before but feebay is getting too pricey and you cannot give buyer negative feedback anymore (wtf??).