It’s compatible with both Mac and PCs, captures video in H.264, AVI, MPEG2, MPEG4 and MP3, and comes with its own capture software. Another low-cost option is the REDGO Video Audio VHS VCR USB Capture Card ($12.99), which can convert both NTSC and PAL video , has an S-Video port, and doesn’t require external power. It’s compatible with Macs and PCs, though Mac owners will need to use QuickTime Player to capture video. Assuming you have a VHS player and want to tackle the job yourself, you’ll need some way to get the video off your tape and onto your PC. Hardware as well as some type of software to move the files to a DVD drive. “When it comes to music, I’m more of a looking-forward guy than a looking-back guy,” Hilton reflects.
Use your mouse to resize the red box so it fills the middle of the black window, and drag it to the middle, as shown above. Then, mute any audio tracks that aren’t from your video capture device. Many of these devices come with their own recording and editing software too, which may or may not be any good—I couldn’t even get mine to launch properly.
Turns out most stores don’t do the transfer themselves but handle the order process for you. The tapes are generally packaged and shipped to one of the top 3 video transfer services. The pricing chart below of the top video transfer services is based on a 2-hour video transfer from standard videotape (VHS/Video8/MiniDV/etc). There are other formats tapes can be transferred to you should consider, the descriptions below in the article highlight each service. Analog-to-digital video converters cost anywhere from $15 to $75 and can be found at electronic stores or online. The more expensive converters come bundled with advanced editing software. We strongly recommend editing your videos, even if you take the DIY route to convert old home movies to digital.
Read more about vhs to dvd conversion here.
DIY Home Movies to Digital
Costco is one of the most affordable drop-off locations but you must be a Costco member in order to use their services. Windows 7, has the software that will most likely do the job – saved me money. I bookmarked it so I can come back to it once I have all the parts.” Connect the VHS or camcorder to the recorder via RCA, S-Video, or Firewire.
With Movavi Video Editor, you’ll be able to record a video from your VHS tapes and edit your recordings. Configure settings such as tape length, video format, and file destination within your conversion software. On the low end is the ABLEWE Mini RCA to HDMI converter ($14.99), which can convert an analog stream from your VCR to 720p or 1080p digital.
VIDBOX Video Conversion Suite
So if you buy one of the non-converter type multi-system VHS VCR units you can plug the output into a converter box that will convert it to NTSC. Problem with this is that said converter boxes are expensive so by the time you buy the multi-system VHS VCR and the converter box … You might as well just buy the all-in-one Samsung SV-5000 which supposedly does a better job that most of those stand alone converter boxes anyways.
Converting VHS tapes to DVDs is a great way to preserve, share and enhance those old home videos that may not be aging very gracefully. This article outlines two methods to do so—both produce the same quality video. The first method involves using a standalone DVD recorder. The second method involves using your computer and an analog-to-digital video converter to convert your VHS tapes to MPEG files and then burn them to DVDs.
You’ll want to start the DVD recorder first so you don’t cut off the beginning of the video. DVD recorders cost between $100-$200 at major electronic stores or online. You can also usually find one between $50-$75 in good condition on Ebay. A VHS-to-DVD recorder basically gives you a DVD copy of your tape in real time. Consider restoring damaged tapes before conversion for best results.