Why The Need To Convert VHS To Digital?
Many people have recorded so many fond memories into analog VHS tapes, such as family vacations, a baby’s special firsts, children’s plays, weddings, games, and so on and so forth. VHS tapes served their purpose well during those times. However, now there is a more stable medium with less risk of degradation every time you play its content, it is time to transfer the recordings from analog to digital.
DVDs are more compact and easy to store compared to VHS tapes as well, so once you have converted your memories securely, you can now recycle those tapes away.
How To Convert Your VHS To Digital
The first thing that you need to do is to stream the VHS tapes into a hard disk. You can do that by linking the tape deck to your personal computer. Then next step would be to edit the digital files that you have retrieved according to your preference. Lastly, you will burn these files into a CD or a DVD.
How Do You Capture The Video?
A common interface is needed in order to be able to link your tape deck to your computer. Majority of the last VHS tape deck models have an S-Video port as its video-out port, otherwise it will have a composite video out. As for the audio out, it will likely have RCA audio out ports that work for stereo sound.
To connect to your computer’s end, look for an S-Video in port in the video capture card that can accommodate streaming media. You should also look for a 3.5 mm stereo line-in port. Simply attach one end of an S-video cable to the tape deck and the other end to the capture card. Your capture card is also likely to accommodate a composite-in for tape decks that have that port.
How Do You Capture The Audio?
To transfer audio, you will need the RCA audio cable with one end having the left-right connectors, and the other end having a 3.5 mm male stereo connector. Your card should have the software that permits for capturing the streaming video into your hard drive.
If you do not have a video capture card, you can look for an A/V to USB adapter cable in order to connect your tape deck to your computer. In most cases, the cable will be a little short so you might want to get a USB extension cable as well.
Your computer is likely to have a default capture program but you can always purchase and download one online in case you do not favor yours.
There is no better time than now to convert VHS to digital because you will never know when the time will come for your VHS tapes to give in and deteriorate.