Computers > TipsMarch 08, 2011

Converting VHS Tapes to Digital on Computer

How can I cheaply convert my old VHS tapes to digital on my PC? Can I hook up a VCR to a USB port or something and record from there?

By Frank from Carlsbad, CA

Answers

Read answers for this post below.

By
03/09/2011

There is a lot of software but there are a lot of pitfalls too. If you are trying to burn it to a DVD, keep in mind that it will take a lot of memory and a lot of time to complete. Nothing is sadder when a computer crashes because it is out of memory after compiling your DVD for several hours. If you are just saving them as a digital file, these can be pretty big too. I'd invest in a separate hard drive to store them.

If you have a Mac, iMovie is pretty easy to use. Roxio has been around for years and can be pretty good too. You can also take them to places like Costco and they will convert them for you. This is good if you have camcorder tapes but no way to play them.

By
03/09/2011

I bought the Roxio software kit mentioned by cajun62234. (I have yet to use it). But you can do it on your own with a camcorder, if you have one. (I don't.) I saw the how-to on the internet. Try ehow.com for instructions, maybe, I have forgotten where I found it, but it may have been there (I did find it in several places.) If ehow doesn't have it, just type in "converting VHS into DVDs" or something to that effect and it should bring some tutorials up.

By
03/09/2011

Roxio has some software for this.
http://www.roxio.com/enu/products/e ... tml?gclid=CIO7o_jmwacCFZFoKgodb3t1Bg
And Sony makes a machine that will accomplish this as well.

Related

Answer this Question

Your thoughts are welcomed and appreciated. Enter your answer here!

Answer:

Image Upload:

Add an image to your post! Click the "Browse" button above and select an image from your hard drive. Please only select gifs or jpegs. If you have any problems, please contact us.

  

facebook like arrowLike ThriftyFun on Facebook

Browse Topics

Over 80,000 tips, recipes, questions & crafts.

Ask a Question

Submit a question to the TF community.

Subscribe to ThriftyFun Newsletters!

Email: