How can i transfer vhs to dvd myself

If you want to digitize your home movies, you have a few options to choose from. If you do have the time, converting home movies can be a simple, fairly inexpensive process. But you will need a few things to do it. You will probably get decent results with just about any VCR. It needs to have video and audio composite jacks, which most models have, but make sure you know that it works before sticking in a valuable VHS tape. Keep in mind that each digitizer has its own requirements.

Most consumer USB-based digitizers have a similar selection of plugs on one end to use with the VCR; a set of composite red, white, yellow cables and S-Video. Its interface walked me through naming the file, and ensuring that the video and audio feeds were coming through correctly before I started the converting process.

The rest of the process should be the same no matter what converter you use. The conversion process runs in real-time, so you can leave and do something else while you wait for the tape to reach its end.

It might be tempting, once the conversion is finished, to leave the file as it is. But it might be better to do a bit of trimming. You should run the RCA-style audio and video cables from the output of the VCR or camcorder to the input jacks on the video converter.

These wires are usually color-coded to make sure you connect them properly; red and white are for stereo audio and yellow is for video. A VCR, laptop and video converter ready to transfer videotapes to digital. Step 6: Start the video converter software on your computer and follow its instructions to start the video capture process.

Use the software that came with the video converter to "record" the videotape to a digital file. Thankfully, converting your old VHS tapes is pretty simple once you have everything you need—the video converter does all the hard work. But here are a few tips and tricks to help you preserve your videos:. This is a BETA experience. You may opt-out by clicking here. More From Vetted. Dec 8, , pm EST. Nov 12, , am EST. The reason these factors are important is that when converting analog video to digital video, the file sizes are large.

This not only takes up a lot of hard drive space, but if your PC isn't fast enough, your transfer might stall, or you may randomly lose some video frames during the transfer process. This results in skips when played back from the hard drive or from the DVD that the hard drive transfers the video too. VHS VCRs have been with us since the mid's, but, in , after a year run, manufacturing of new units ceased.

Although many VHS VCRs are still in use, finding replacements is increasingly difficult as remaining stock disappears.

If you haven't yet, the time is running out. In addition to the options discussed above is another method for copying VHS to DVD to consider that is widely available, especially for important videos, such wedding or other videotapes of family historical importance, is to have it done professionally. You can contact a video duplicator in your area can be found online or in the phone book and have them transferred to DVD professionally can be expensive - depending on how many tapes are involved.

The best thing to do is have the service make a DVD copy of one or two of your tapes. If the test DVD is playable on your DVD or Blu-ray Disc player you might try it on several to make sure , then it might worth to have the service make copies of all the tapes you wish to preserve.

Also, if you have the budget, the duplicator can make adjustments that may improve inconsistent color, brightness, contrast, and audio levels, as well as add additional features, such as titles, table of contents, chapter headings, and more. You can't make copies of most commercially made VHS movies due to copy-protection.

Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Log in Social login does not work in incognito and private browsers. Please log in with your username or email to continue. No account yet? Create an account. Edit this Article. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. By using our site, you agree to our cookie policy.

Cookie Settings. Learn why people trust wikiHow. Download Article Explore this Article methods. Tips and Warnings. Related Articles. Article Summary. Method 1. All rights reserved. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc. Purchase a DVD Recorder. Firewire ports look similar to USB ports, except they are flatter and tapered at the end. Find the right cable. S-Video cables have four small, round pin connectors. Check the back of both your devices to see what kind of cable you need.

If you're using a camcorder, the cable that came with it should connect to your DVD Recorder. Stop recording. If you reach the end of your tape and your video stops automatically, your DVD recorder will stop recording automatically. Method 2.