DennisB

Summary: Suggestions on how to use a simple DIY method to transfer old outdated VHS tapes to digital. VHS to DVD will allow easy digital storage of family videos for years to come.

Your old family footage on VHS tapes are NOT going to last forever! Transfer your priceless memories of Holidays, vacations, birthdays etc to digital before the last VCR (Video Cassette Recorder) in the house decides it’s time to start eating tapes. How do you transfer a VHS tape to a DVD? Simple, I’ve recently transferred many hours of footage of VHS tapes and mini cassettes to the computer and to DVD’s. I can finally get rid of the old outdated VCR, VHS tapes, mini cassettes and my ancient video camcorder (and VCR). Sure there are services that will transfer your old tapes to DVD’s for you, but that can be very expensive; especially if you only have 20 or 30 minutes on each of most of the old tapes. Several years ago, we purchased a DVD player that was a combo VHS player and DVD RECORDER. We planned on “someday” using this device to transfer our old VHS tapes to DVD. A great plan, however the “day” came recently and I downloaded the pdf manual for the recording instructions for the Panasonic VHS/DVD recorder combo. Guess what? The DVD recorder did NOT work! I went scrambling for a solution online, so I could wrap this job up and clear off the formal dining room table in time for Thanksgiving dinner. I went on a frantic GOOGLE search for a solution. With no time for sending tapes off, trusting some stranger with my tapes that I’ve kept up with for over 20 years, I finally found a simple solution.

A VHS to DVD transfer software with RCA cables, a black box and a USB that plugs into my computer! After a simple software download, there were just 3 steps – Just 1. Capture 2. Edit and 3. Record. The software I purchased allowed me to be more fancy if I wanted to by adding subtitles, transitions and edit out all the fuzzy and low battery screens. I not only created quality DVD’s that could not be distinguished from the VCR tapes, I also made wmv format files that were easy to add to YouTube for family to see right away. There are several competitive brands of VHS to DVD software kits available, but I purchased my VHS to DVD software cable kit at the local Radio Shack. No excuses, just do it before those old family videos are gone FOREVER.