VHS to computer file

Tom2023 · 05-10-2013, 10:13

I want to convert some old VHS tapes so I can store them on my laptop.

Can anyone recommend a device for playing old VHS tapes with an output I can record on a computer?

Nigel Goodwin · 05-10-2013, 11:01

Any VCR, but you need a video recording card installed in your computer - you can get USB ones.

barky99 · 05-10-2013, 11:15

there are combo vhs/dvd writer players out there, assume you could copy from vhs to dvd & then rip the dvd content? .... with used dvd's being so cheap I haven't bothered

captainkremmen · 05-10-2013, 15:18

It depends how precious the tapes are to you.

Cheapest way is to buy any old working 2nd hand VCR and connect to your PC via something like an Easycap USB capture device. You can pick up a second hand VCR for around a tenner in many charity and second hand shops, and you can buy a USB capture device for around the same price on Amazon and Ebay.

If you want to try and get a bit better quality then buy a second hand S-VHS VCR instead of a standard one. The extra circuitry of S-VHS VCRs also helps to improve standard VHS tapes slightly, usually a more stable picture, slightly sharper and helps to minimise the swirling noise that is often present on large areas of colour with VHS. Again you can connect it via S-Video to an Easycap type USB device as they generally have an S-Video connector too.

Once the files are on your PC, you can then edit them to remove any commercials for stuff recorded from TV, as you normally get very basic editing software with Easycap capture devices. If you have decent video editing software, such as Sony Vegas, Cyberlink Power Director, Pinnacle Studio 16, Adobe Premier Elements etc. then you can do much more to try and improve things, including image stabilisation, colour corrections etc. before burning to disc.

Having said all of that, if it is commercial films you want to transfer there is little point unless they are rare. DVD has been around for so long that you can buy second hand DVDs from charity and second hand shops for a pound or two each. Is it really worth the hassle?.

Tom2023 · 07-10-2013, 09:05

Thank you very much for the advice.

05-10-2013, 10:13	#1
Tom2023 Inactive Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 2,021	VHS to computer file I want to convert some old VHS tapes so I can store them on my laptop. Can anyone recommend a device for playing old VHS tapes with an output I can record on a computer?

05-10-2013, 11:01	#2
Nigel Goodwin Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North Derbyshire Posts: 41,789	Any VCR, but you need a video recording card installed in your computer - you can get USB ones.

05-10-2013, 11:15	#3
barky99 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Scotland - near a whirly thing Posts: 3,634	there are combo vhs/dvd writer players out there, assume you could copy from vhs to dvd & then rip the dvd content? .... with used dvd's being so cheap I haven't bothered

05-10-2013, 15:18	#4
captainkremmen Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: DAVEVILLE, Daveshire DA1 1VE Posts: 33,621	It depends how precious the tapes are to you. Cheapest way is to buy any old working 2nd hand VCR and connect to your PC via something like an Easycap USB capture device. You can pick up a second hand VCR for around a tenner in many charity and second hand shops, and you can buy a USB capture device for around the same price on Amazon and Ebay. If you want to try and get a bit better quality then buy a second hand S-VHS VCR instead of a standard one. The extra circuitry of S-VHS VCRs also helps to improve standard VHS tapes slightly, usually a more stable picture, slightly sharper and helps to minimise the swirling noise that is often present on large areas of colour with VHS. Again you can connect it via S-Video to an Easycap type USB device as they generally have an S-Video connector too. Once the files are on your PC, you can then edit them to remove any commercials for stuff recorded from TV, as you normally get very basic editing software with Easycap capture devices. If you have decent video editing software, such as Sony Vegas, Cyberlink Power Director, Pinnacle Studio 16, Adobe Premier Elements etc. then you can do much more to try and improve things, including image stabilisation, colour corrections etc. before burning to disc. Having said all of that, if it is commercial films you want to transfer there is little point unless they are rare. DVD has been around for so long that you can buy second hand DVDs from charity and second hand shops for a pound or two each. Is it really worth the hassle?.

07-10-2013, 09:05	#5
Tom2023 Inactive Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 2,021	Thank you very much for the advice.

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VHS to computer file