

- #Best way to convert vhs tapes to digital how to
- #Best way to convert vhs tapes to digital software
- #Best way to convert vhs tapes to digital tv
#Best way to convert vhs tapes to digital how to
Examine the camcorder documentation to determine how to do this latter option correctly. Alternatively, simply use the camcorder as a pass through and record or digitize the video directly into the computer. At this point the video can be recorded on a miniDV tape and then the tape replayed and the digital video fed into the computer after the VHS tape reaches the end. Rewind the VHS tape to the beginning and press play on the VCR. Step 5 – Copy VHS Tapes to DVD or Other Digital Format Check the documentation for the camcorder in use. The settings on the camcorder might require adjustment to view the content in the camcorder.
#Best way to convert vhs tapes to digital tv
The VCR can also be connected to the TV and the tracking adjustments made while viewing the video on the TV. Play some of the tape and using the image in the camcorder viewfinder, ensure the tracking is well-adjusted. This will help to decide what is deserving to convert and how long it will take to do the conversion. Step 4 – Examination of VHS Recordingīefore you copy VHS tapes to DVD or other digital format, establish how much video content is on the VHS tape. This is achievable via a USB cable or a Firewire cable.

The process for converting VHS to digital video is simple.Ĭonnect the VHS to DVD converter or in other words, the miniDV camcorder in this case, to the computer. The image below provides an example of a miniDV camcorder. This page will focus on the use of a miniDV camcorder as the digitization device, but the conversion procedure is similar for other camcorders.Ī miniDV camcorder is a digital video recording device and therefore it has built in digitization electronics and usable as a way to copy VHS tapes to DVD. Nowadays, HD camcorders are available as well and these can also digitize or convert VHS to DVD or another digital format. The miniDV camcorder for recording digital video became the replacement for the VHS camcorder, the Hi8 camcorder, and other similar analog camcorders. The capture from that was the same quality as playing the VCR directly to a TV.Copy VHS Tapes to DVD - Digital CamcorderĪ simple to way to copy VHS tapes to DVD is with a digital camcorder. I used to use that to transfer from VCR to digital. I have a old Vbox tuner (PCI), RF connection.
#Best way to convert vhs tapes to digital software
At worse software coding will make the computer sluggish. There is a difference between hardware and software coding, but that only affects the CPU usage. I use mine as it comes from the box only selecting the highest quality (least compression largest file size) coding option.

If you don't like the results, buy something else and try that. I don't think that there will be much difference among S-video, RF, or composite inputs. I don't think there will be any difference in quality among the various tuners you might purchase. The signal from your VCR will be very strong and noise free. If the capture software allows you to select different file formats, select one that you have an editor for. Yes, you can use different software with the device. Your computer will need some power, and you will need some patience. This is a pretty challenging task if you want to do it properly, involving real time capture of a buttload of data and subsequent editing and reencoding of said buttload. The capture device may or may not have it's own audio capture facility on board, so you may also need to get a L/R RCA to mini headphone jack cable to connect the VCR to your PCs audio input.Īs for software, I'm assuming you're running Windows, and I don't really know alot about this type of software on that platform other than to say there are many options to choose from. I'd personally look for a used one, again a great one can probably be had for under $100. VHS stores composite video, so there is no better connection to use. Find one that has a composite input (Yellow RCA), this will work alot better than using the cable (RF) connection. Analog capture/tuner devices aren't as plentiful as they used to be, but good ones can still be had by looking around. Look around on CL and you can probably get a top of the line VCR for under $100. If you have or can get your hands on a good 4 head VCR you're in pretty good shape. The quality of the capture device and the quality/condition of the VCR and tapes will be the main factors determining quality.
