While DVD and Blu - ray dominate today ’s earth , VHS tapes ruled supreme in the ’ eighty and ’ 90 . It was n’t rare for household to document birthday party , holidays , sporting events , and other big moments in life with their handheld camcorder , record the footage onto a trustworthy VHS tape . Unfortunately , encounter those VHS tape is challenge today , as it ’s unlikely that you still have your one-time VHS player ( or that it ’s even still in workings consideration ) .

That means you ’ll require to bet into converting your VHS tapes to DVD , Blu - ray , or digital formats to take a trip down memory board lane . Even if you ’re not concerned in checking out the footage today , it makes sense to get the flick change over – after all , those VHS taping are easy deteriorating , and if they go bad , all that footage will be forever miss .

gratefully , there are plenty of ways to transfer your VHS magnetic tape to other formats . Here ’s a look at all your selection , including DIY conversions and professional conversion services .

Disclaimer : It ’s illegal to produce copies of commercial-grade picture show and copyrighted capacity , but there are no restrictions on copying plate video .

Retail VHS-to-DVD conversion services

For those who ’d rather forgo the technical hands - on appendage , many self-aggrandising - name retail corp put up VHS - to - DVD ( and in some cases VHS - to - digital ) conversion armed service through their photo departments . Stores likeCostco , CVS , Walmart , andSam ’s Cluboffer video spiritual rebirth , and many of them use the same company for their conversion : YesVideo .

CVS

If you head to theYesVideo website , you ’ll ascertain conversion services starting from $ 30 per tape recording for the first two hour , and then an additional $ 33 for every twoadditionalhours of converting . But the Leontyne Price you pay at Walmart or Target could be lower . These prices have been curve upward in late years , so if you ’ve been wait to get your mag tape converted , you might want to get on it .

usable transfer formats include everything from VHS toBetamax , and most service will allow you to transfer up to two tape measure to a individual DVD disk before charging you extra . or else , there are a couple of neat websites that offer the same service for a more affordable price if you feel comfortable ship the VHS videotape yourself .

Companies likeLegacyBoxoffer similar services . just get off your VHS tapes in , and they ’ll leave you with DVD , downloadable digital files , or a thumb drive fill with all of your memories , plus the original tapes in return . Prices pop out at $ 60 ( they often have deals , though ) , which includes the conversion of two tape . Have other analog media , like audio cassette or 35 mm slides ? LegacyBox can digitalise these , too .

Using a VHS-DVD combo or separate VCR and DVD burner

If you ’ve got a ton of videos to transfer , you may want to take on the line yourself to save some cash . The best way to convert on your own is with a VHS - videodisk combination player / record-keeper . Today , these are out-of-date and can be intemperate to line up . you may find dinosaur model online if you calculate firmly enough — try searching “ combo deck ” or “ VHS DVD recorder ” on sites likeAmazonoreBayor even Craigslist — but these have get increasingly expensive over the years , some running upwardly of $ 150 and up ( and take forever to ship ) , deserving it if you ’ve got a sizeable tapeline collection .

You also can buy the particular you ’ll need piecemeal . If you do n’t already have a videocassette recorder , you might be able to regain one online for around $ 70 to $ 100 , but again , it ’s not the easy job . With thelast new VCRs rolling off the meeting place line in 2016 , used political machine are probable your only alternative . you may try looking onAmazon , but you may require to resort toeBayor even your local Craigslist , though we urge caution if you go those road — always ensure your eBay marketer has high review scores before proceeding . Then you ’ll ask a stand - alone DVD recorder , which can also be a challenge to find these solar day . secure one will likely require the same method acting sketch above .

Amazon

eBay

Once you ’ve got the good , you’re able to hook up the videodisc recorder to the VCR by plug a situated ofRCA sound / video cablesfrom the VCR ’s RCA outputs to the DVD recording machine ’s RCA inputs . On some model , you might need anRCA - to - HDMI converterto connect the two . This is essentially the same process you ’ll need to apply if you ’re using a VHS camcorder as your playback twist — but relate the television camera ’s output signal to the DVD recorder via the RCA cable system or , if necessary , the RCA - to - HDMI converter we just mention . With a combo player , of line , the process is simple .

Next is the transfer unconscious process . Pop a tapeline into the VCR and a blankDVD+RorDVD+RW(some units only accept one of these formats , so dual - hinderance that ) into the DVD thespian , then begin the transfer process . The method differs between models , but it should be relatively straight and generally require starting the transcription mode on the DVD registrar , followed by pressing sport on your videocassette recorder or camcorder .

You may need to follow the producer ’s instructions , but most manuals can be found through a Google search if your component did n’t come with them . Keep in mind , most DVD recorder have two stages : transcription and finalizing . While in recording mode , you could keep tot footage to a single phonograph record as long as you have n’t ply out of storehouse mental ability . finalize “ lock chamber in ” the transcription and then pee-pee the record playable on any DVD player . Once finalise , a phonograph record can not be used for any further recordings .

Pro gratuity : It ’s always smart to scavenge your equipment and the taping you ’ll be transfer . The efficacy of unlike cleaning method is a point of contention , but the round-eyed way is to open up the cassette ’s protective threshold and cautiously withdraw any visible detritus or dirt using a soft cloth or cotton swab . You might also see cleaning your VCR ’s head by using aVHS nous cleaner .

Transferring to DVD, Blu-ray, or digital file on Windows and Mac

This process is more involved and requires a few extra materials , but it has its benefits . Specifically , you ’ll be able-bodied to remove your tapes directly from a videocassette recorder into digital single file as react to another strong-arm format , allowing you to preserve them on a concentrated movement , USB drive , or even in the swarm . you may then simulate and save the files wherever you ’d care and transfer them to DVDs or Blu - rays .

Assuming you ’ve already got a videocassette recorder , the first tone is to buy an analog - to - digital converter if you do n’t have access code to one . There are many mannequin out there that are made for bothMacandWindows computers , so be certain to take the one for yours .   These belittled machine are send for “ cards ” because the original version was indeed a card that needed to be inserted into a computer , but these days they ’re all plug - and - play USB dongle .

Digitizing

Once you ’ve pay off one , connect the analog - to - digital convertor to your calculator and your VCR or camera . Most adapters come with software that walks you through the entire carry-over outgrowth , including importing the resulting footage into a more comprehensive video editor or burning it straight to DVD . Refer to the installing phonograph record , instruction manual of arms , or manufacturer ’s website for more info on installing the software and download the necessary drivers .

As with the premature method , we suggest giving your tape and videocassette recorder a looking at - over to make trusted each is clean . Particles on the tape can cause blemishes in the telecasting during the conveyance , while dirty heads can ruin the intact project .

Now for the main consequence . Insert the tapeline into your VCR , and a blank videodisc or Blu - ray into your electronic computer ( orexternal player / burner ) . The exact whole tone for conversion vary calculate on which gadget and software you ’re using for video seizure . Digitizing will happen in real - clip , meaning you ’ll have to fastidiously sit through the full length of footage ( or go do something else for a while ) before you’re able to finish up the project . Once it ’s done , however , the contents will be constantly continue in digital data format .

external role player / burner

You have the alternative option of engage adirect digital converter , which digitalise the VHS message onto an South Dakota bill , without the need for a computer . you could then insert the SD card into any gimmick for viewing . Be aware , though — you might need extra cables and a bigger SD card ( essay 64 GB ) .

direct digital converter

Burning

At this head , if all you wanted was the digital file , you ’re done ; you could blue-pencil , move , and name the single file as you require . If you ’re planning on burning the file to a DVD or Blu - shaft of light disc , you ’ve got another step to go . Most conversion software will have an option for burning a DVD or Blu - ray upon windup of digitizing the footage .

If not , locate the lead data file on your computer and afford it in iMovie , Windows Movie Maker , VLC , or asimilar programthat can burn your footage to DVD . you’re able to also use these programs to edit the duration of your television . The burning process will deviate depending on what software you choose , so consult educational activity for further clarification .

VHS to Blu-ray

To win over honest-to-god VHS to Blu - ray using a microcomputer , you ’ll call for a computer with a Blu - ray writable private road and the appropriate third - party package . You ’ll necessitate an external ride if your PC does n’t have one built - in . As far as package goes , we recommend the budget - friendly ( free ) , albeit outdated , programImgBurnfor Windows users . If you want to pay for a better , more modern alternative , we recommend eitherOpenclonerorBurnAware . Leawo Blu - ray Creatoris the good and most drug user - friendly option for Macs .

Other than these departure , the physical process is the same as we described above for make videodisc on your computing machine .

Quality in, quality out

Keep in mind , just because you ’re transfer your antiquated VHS tape measure to a more modern , digital data format , you in all likelihood wo n’t see any appreciable improvement in image quality . The digitizing and combustion processes rarely involve any tech wizardry that can create particular that has been lose to decline in quality of prison term or that was never there in the first place . After all , VHS tapes are from the day of 3:4 ratio NTSC video , and you ’ll probably terminate up watch over the converted footage on a flatscreen TV with at least 1080p resolve , if not a4 K TV , which will belike make all of the grainy imperfectness more noticeable , not less .

Still , as long as you limit your expectations consequently , you ’ll have given your most precious memories a new term of a contract on sprightliness — one that will hopefully keep them goingfor at least another 20 years .

What about digital videotapes?

If you ’re sitting on a collection of Digital 8 , miniDV , or the curtly - lived D - VHS , you ’re belike wonder what can be done to make these recordings more easily viewable . Like their analogue cousin-german , these data format will also demean over sentence , so do n’t let the word “ digital ” lull you into a false sense of surety .

alas , if you want to preserve that digital information ( without convert it to analog first ) , you ’ll want some very specific ware .

IEEE 1394 PCIe poster

Pro Tip No.1 : Don’t buy one of the so - called IEEE 1394 - to - USB adapters you ’ll find by the truckload on Amazon , as they wo n’t work for channelise digital video recording from a camcorder to a computer .

Pro Tip No.2 : There are several version of IEEE 1394 , including FireWire 400 and 800 . ensure the cable length you buy mate the version on your computer , otherwise , you ’ll end up having to bribe an adapter too .

Once you have your appurtenance compile , connect the camcorder to the electronic computer using the IEEE 1394 cable and succeed the pedagogy that add up with your camcorder . Once the tapes have been transferred , they will be in uncompressed digital television files , which can be huge . Using a program like Handbrake , you ’ll be capable to compress them with virtually no red of quality but with importantly smaller data file size of it .

However , if you pick out to burn them to DVD or Blu - ray , it ’s good to use uncompressed TV single file .