How to Convert VHS to Digital: 3 Popular Ways to Digitize VHS

Have you ever thought about watching your parents' marriage or your grandparents' birthday celebration stored on VHS tapes? The solution is to transfer VHS to digital, which will ensure that your memorable moments are waiting to be stored forever, and you can watch anytime.

Why Is VHS to Digital Converter Necessary

If you have VHS cassettes piled up and feel like watching or listening to what is stored there, then an explanation is unnecessary. The VHS is degraded by 20% every year and lessens the chances to preserve them for a long time, and it is sufficient reason to keep them. Because:

• A VHS is run with a VCR, a device that is almost out of the market now.
• The data inside a VHS is not safe for a long time as technically we are in an advanced era, and the cassettes are outdated, and other than convert to digital format, there is no way to save it.
• You might lose sentimental memories of your family members if it is kept on VHS.

Reasons to save your favorite movie, family album, any old performance of your extended family, etc.; there are endless reasons to preserve and protect the data kept in VHS tape.

VHS to digital transfer is time-consuming, and you need to get ready with a few supportive items to start the process.

Things Required for VHS to Digital Converter

You are going to convert an old system to a brand new one. You need the following items with the proper mode to convert VHS to digital.

A Working VCR

The VCR is the urgently needed item in the list to convert VHS to digital. If you manage to get a working VCR, then do the following steps:

• Check the VCR: With an unwanted tape, check the VCR whether it is working or not. 
• Remove the dust inside and clean the old VCR

Note: How perfect the VCR runs, the VHS to digital transfer process would go smoothly.

Review the Tape Conditions

Be extra cautious to check the conditions of the tape, whether it's tangled, moldy, broken, or bent. You need to open the top of the tape cover by pressing the small side button to check the tape's present condition.

There are common issues you might face when you are working with the years-old tape for VHS to digital conversion:

• Partial crunchy tape: Use your finger to wind the tape and check the damaging area. If the crunch is in a small space, use cotton or soft clothes to straighten the tape. Do it carefully so that it can restore its old position.
• Tangled condition tape:  To detangle the tape, you need to open it with a small screwdriver and fix it yourself. 
• Musty condition: It will affect the VCR, if you use musty tape. If you find the tape condition is stale, you must clean it before pushing it inside the VCR. 

Now the tape and VCR are ready to start the converting process. It's time to check the computer set up.

A Perfect Tune in Computer

With the working VCR and clean tape, the computer must get ready to receive and decode its signal from the VCR. The laptop has followed two processes to convert VHS to digital. They are:

• Purchase a video capture card: Capture card would ensure that the computer receives audio and video signals from VCR through a USB. When purchasing the card, make sure it will give you the highest quality digital transfer to retain the picture and audio quality.
• Recording software download: You can download recording software. With the capture card, you will get a software CD or link; but it's optional. You can select different software to finish the job.

Here comes the best vcr to digital converters available to provide you with different methods to transfer VHS to digital.

How to Convert VHS to Digital: Popular Methods

Using a VHS to Digital Converter

One common method is to use a standalone VHS to digital converter. Certain choices will work directly from a VCR, while others require connection to a Mac or Windows PC. These devices typically connect to your VHS player and your computer via USB, and come with software that helps you capture and edit the video. Some well-known and affordable options are as follows:

Diamond VC500 USB 2.0 One Touch VHS to DVD Video Capture

This device is designed to convert your old VHS tapes, CDs, DVDs, and other analog media to digital formats with just one touch. It does not require a computer or software to operate. The VC500ST features a built-in 2.4" LCD screen for easy navigation and playback of your converted files. It also comes with an included 16GB USB flash drive for easy storage and transfer of your digital files. The device supports both NTSC and PAL video formats, making it compatible with a wide range of analog media sources.

VIDBOX Video Conversion Suite

This converter includes everything you need to transfer VHS tapes to digital formats, including a USB capture device, software for editing and sharing videos, and a VHS player cleaning kit. It supports Windows and Mac computers. Price: $69.99.

Apart from these, Elgato Video Capture, ClearClick Video to Digital Converter and Roxio Easy VHS to DVD are also popular VHS to digital converters. The standard cassettes are the assets, and we need to preserve them following the proper instructions. Here takes Roxio an example.

Let's know the steps:

• Step 1: Connect the VHS to the built-in USB capture device via RCB
• Step 2: Affix the capture device to the PC's USB port
• Step 3: Play on the button and wait. The software would transfer all the data to DVD.

Roxio allows the users to burn the footage to DVD and save it for a long time. While the recording process is going on, you cannot edit anything. You have to wait to finish the task for the editing if required. Besides, if you are a Windows 10 user, you can resort to professional DVD burning software for Windows 10.

VHS to Digital Converter Service

Nostalgic Media is a popular VHS to digital converter service that specializes in transferring old home movies, photos, slides, and audio recordings to digital formats. Customers can also opt for custom editing, color correction, and audio enhancement services.

They offer a fast 7 business day average turnaround for all orders. Additionally, each tape comes with a free DVD included. Customers can take advantage of quantity discount pricing, with rates as low as $7.50 per tape. 

Other popular VHS to digital converter services includes Southtree, Legacybox and YesVideo. However, such services usually do not guarantee conversion efficiency and require additional fees.

VHS to DVD Recorder and DVD Ripper

Roxio Easy VHS to DVD is a hardware solution designed to help you transfer your old VHS tapes to DVD format. It comes with a USB capture device that allows you to connect your VCR or camcorder to your computer and digitize your videos with just a few clicks.

To use the Roxio Easy VHS to DVD recorder, follow these steps:

1. Connect your VHS player to the Roxio Easy VHS to DVD recorder using the included cables.
2. Insert a blank DVD into the recorder.
3. Open the recording software on your PC and follow the instructions to start recording.
4. Press play on your VHS player to start playing the tape.
5. Press record on the recording software to begin transferring the video onto the DVD.

Now, you have converted VHS tapes to DVD with high quality. The disc can be further converted to digital using professional software.

DVDFab DVD Ripper

With this flexible tool, you can easily rip your disc content into 1000+ video and audio formats such as MP4, MOV, M2TS, MP3, AAC, etc.

Features:

• Convert your DVDs to high-quality video and audio formats
• Reduce the size of your videos without sacrificing the quality
• 50 times faster ripping speeds for your DVDs
• Built-in video editor allows you crop, merge or trim video
• Convert DVDs to digital files via multitasking mode
• Upscale video from 480p to 1080p with AI enhancement

Win Download

100% safe&clean

Mac Download

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Guide on how to transfer VHS tapes to digital using DVDFab

Step 1：Opening the DVDFab software and importing the DVD

Open DVDFab and click on the Ripper mode. Insert the DVD into your PC or upload the ISO file/folder by clicking the Add button. 

Step 2：Select a profile and personalize the final DVD video

Click on “Choose Other Profile” to select a specific output format. You have the option to choose audio tracks and subtitles, adjust video and audio settings, and more.

Step 3：Commence the process of converting VHS to digital 

Save your video either on your computer’s hard drive or on your mobile device. Simply click on the Start button.

How to Save VHS Files Digitally?

Please keep all the digital files of VHS tapes to backup to save them for the long term. Cloud service or OneDrive could be your best choice to backup your data. The conversion is time-consuming, and you cannot afford to lose them again with a broken computer or factory reset of the hard drive. Select Dropbox or OneDrive to save them.

To get access more quickly, you can convert VHS tape to DVD. Though it's an old concept to save digital items on DVD, it is still relevant as the average lifespan of a DVD is 25 years to 100 years. It means you are fixing the digital access to another long-term.

Tips: After the conversion, you have to take extra care to keep the VCR and VHS tapes and cassettes. Please keep them in a dry area, away from direct sunlight, keep them clean weekly or monthly to ensure there should not be any dust or fungus deposited to make the tape and VCR recordable for another 10 years.

There are numerous choices available for the top VHS to digital converter. DIY converter tools are ideal for tech-savvy individuals, while options such as VHS to DVD Recorder and DVD Ripper cater to those seeking high-quality conversions.

BTW, if you want to keep the digital files on a disc for home play, you might as well turn to the best DVD menu creator programs.