Learn how to convert your old VHS tapes into DVDs using the right equipment and software, or decide if professional conversion and modern digital storage are better options.
As VHS tapes have become obsolete and DVDs are a popular way to store movies and videos, you may want to convert any remaining VHS tapes into DVD discs. With the right equipment, you can perform the conversions yourself in a few easy steps.
Here are the steps for converting VHS tapes to DVD.
Things you'll need:
- Blank DVD discs
- VHS to DVD converter
- Assemble all the VHS tapes you have left. Check your attic and hiding places for graduation videos, favorite movies, and other recordings. You may want to buy your favorite movies already in DVD format instead of converting them from VHS, as the quality will be vastly superior. However, if a movie is not yet available on DVD, take the time to convert it. Allot an entire day for the conversion process if your VHS collection is sizable.
- Insert the VHS tape and a corresponding blank DVD into the converter. Connect an audio/video cable from the converter to the special video capture card in your desktop computer.
- Convert your VHS to MPEG format. You will need a computer application for this, several of which are available for free online. Unless you are knowledgeable about optimizing video and audio quality, leave the default settings in place. You can also use the application to edit and sharpen the video quality coming from the VHS. Make sure your computer has at least 500 gigabytes of storage capacity so it can store a large amount of video without needing to erase files to accommodate new recordings.
- Burn the digital file onto the blank DVD. You can adjust the quality of the file so that the contents of the video fit into the 4-gigabyte capacity of a single DVD. Label the DVD with a marker and store it in a protective jacket or DVD album. Dispose of the unwanted VHS tapes.
- Consider converting your old Video8 tapes to DVD. These Video8 tapes were used in camcorders before the advent of flash drives. Simply connect an audio/video cable from your camcorder to your desktop, then transfer the contents of the tape from your camcorder to your computer.
- Consider hiring a professional video converter. If you don't have the equipment or the time, a professional will do all the work for you for a fee. A professional may also be able to recover or restore videos from worn-out tapes using higher-quality equipment. Be cautious of sharing sensitive videos, however, as technicians might make unauthorized copies.
Take note, however, that DVDs are now giving way to hard drive storage as that technology has become more reliable and less expensive. You may want to skip DVDs altogether and store your videos directly on external drives, or you might wind up having to convert your DVD collection to a new format a few years from now anyway.
How to Convert VHS Tapes to DVD
Learn how to convert your old VHS tapes into DVDs using the right equipment and software, or decide if professional conversion and modern digital storage are better options.
As VHS tapes have become obsolete and DVDs are a popular way to store movies and videos, you may want to convert any remaining VHS tapes into DVD discs. With the right equipment, you can perform the conversions yourself in a few easy steps.
Here are the steps for converting VHS tapes to DVD.
Things you'll need:
- Blank DVD discs
- VHS to DVD converter
- Assemble all the VHS tapes you have left. Check your attic and hiding places for graduation videos, favorite movies, and other recordings. You may want to buy your favorite movies already in DVD format instead of converting them from VHS, as the quality will be vastly superior. However, if a movie is not yet available on DVD, take the time to convert it. Allot an entire day for the conversion process if your VHS collection is sizable.
- Insert the VHS tape and a corresponding blank DVD into the converter. Connect an audio/video cable from the converter to the special video capture card in your desktop computer.
- Convert your VHS to MPEG format. You will need a computer application for this, several of which are available for free online. Unless you are knowledgeable about optimizing video and audio quality, leave the default settings in place. You can also use the application to edit and sharpen the video quality coming from the VHS. Make sure your computer has at least 500 gigabytes of storage capacity so it can store a large amount of video without needing to erase files to accommodate new recordings.
- Burn the digital file onto the blank DVD. You can adjust the quality of the file so that the contents of the video fit into the 4-gigabyte capacity of a single DVD. Label the DVD with a marker and store it in a protective jacket or DVD album. Dispose of the unwanted VHS tapes.
- Consider converting your old Video8 tapes to DVD. These Video8 tapes were used in camcorders before the advent of flash drives. Simply connect an audio/video cable from your camcorder to your desktop, then transfer the contents of the tape from your camcorder to your computer.
- Consider hiring a professional video converter. If you don't have the equipment or the time, a professional will do all the work for you for a fee. A professional may also be able to recover or restore videos from worn-out tapes using higher-quality equipment. Be cautious of sharing sensitive videos, however, as technicians might make unauthorized copies.
Take note, however, that DVDs are now giving way to hard drive storage as that technology has become more reliable and less expensive. You may want to skip DVDs altogether and store your videos directly on external drives, or you might wind up having to convert your DVD collection to a new format a few years from now anyway.
How to Convert VHS Tapes to DVD
By Howtodotips
Learn how to convert your old VHS tapes into DVDs using the right equipment and software, or decide if professional conversion and modern digital storage are better options.