Summary: Copying VHS tapes to a DVD or your computer and from there to a DVD, is not that difficult, with the proper bits and pieces.
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Could you tell me how to connect my VCR to my PC so I can put my videos onto DVD disks? |
VHS tapes are disappearing from the landscape as digital technology rapidly takes over. But what to do with all those old VHS recordings you might have of your own?
Copying them to a DVD or your computer and from there to a DVD, is not that difficult, with the proper bits and pieces.
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The simplest, but least flexible way is to simply get a DVD recorder. No computer required. Once connected, push record on the DVD recorder, play on the VCR and come back when the tape's done.
To capture on your computer, you'll need either a video card that can take a VCR's video and audio as input, or a video tuner card that can tune to the TV channel that the VCR broadcasts on. Another nice alternative is a VCR or camcorder that can output on a firewire connection, and then capture to a firewire card in your PC.
Once it's on the computer, a DVD burner and some burning software, and you're in business. The nice thing about capturing to your computer is that the burning software typically includes some rudimentary editing functionality, and there are several higher powered editing packages available as well.
As you can imagine, there are many variables. I've included some resources below that should head you in the right direction.
Related:
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Sign Video - How to Convert VHS to DVD
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Imation - Convert VHS Tapes to DVD
Article C2353 - May 16, 2005
I have been able to copy my vhs to dvd with my dvd recorder. My problem is that one of my dvd players will not let me show the movie. What do I need to do?
Posted by: Kathy Rusche at April 21, 2009 9:59 AMActually it is not illegal to make one backup of copy of any commercial VHS tape that you can no longer watch. This is found under the "Fair Use Act." Check other companies that do video transfers. The Photo Archival Company does not convert any copyright material, but others will if you sign a statement indicating you are the owner of the tape.
Posted by: Ursula Stein at April 22, 2009 8:41 AMI just had my whole video collection converted to DVD and a hard drive. The results were incredible and I used www.HDMediaServices.com.
Their DVDs are pretty cool -- very colorful - no smudged ink and are water-proof. The cost was only $9.95 per tape for the transfer to DVD and $15.95 per tape for the transfer to hard drive. With childhood memories, I think it is a good idea to have the tapes converted onto more than one type of media.
I'm getting a Blu-Ray player next and hope to have HDMediaServices.com convert my edited video on it so I can view everything in HD. Good luck everyone!
Posted by: Ursula Stein at April 22, 2009 8:46 AMi tape off tv shows on a vcr and then play tape and copy to a dvd recorder - i edit out the ads - but somone said this is illegal even to copy a tape i copied to a dvd or to give the dvd to someone else - i think parts of the copyright law are stupid - the tv station pays for the video and they know people will tape it
Posted by: jan sterling at April 29, 2009 2:18 AMhi leo ,i have a nvidia geforce 9800 gtx+ ,is this good enough ? or to new to copy vhs or beta ro dvd?
Posted by: alex at June 9, 2009 2:26 AMI got your vhs2dvd wizard this past week did everything it said to do the screen comes up on pc but the picture from vcr is all gargle up although the picture is great on my tv checked it out a numerous times still i cant get it to transfer over can u help thanks
16-Jul-2009
Posted by: norma brinton at July 15, 2009 3:56 PM
My son wants to convert old vhs tapes to be able to see them on the computer. These tapes are commercial movies. If copying them won't work, as seems to be what you are saying in the first comment, is there some way to instead hook the VCR up to the computer so he can watch the vhs tapes directly on the computer? Thanks.
Posted by: Susan Ulanowsky at September 14, 2009 9:04 PMi am trying to copy a vcr tape to dvd and keep getting an error message "protected signal detected, copy abort"
Help please!!! much appreciated....thanks
Posted by: lisa silverman at September 22, 2009 8:50 AMThere are a lot of video transfer services that can convert your VHS to DVD for you. Most of these are direct VHS to DVD transfers like you would get if you used a VCR/DVD recorder.
I wanted a bit more of a customized option and discovered StashSpace.Com They transfer VHS to digital then let you watch and edit your video online. This worked really good for me because I wanted to combine two tapes onto one DVD, add titles, and remove some unwanted footage. I was vary pleased with my final DVD.
Here is a link to their website with more information:
Posted by: Al at September 28, 2009 4:08 PMhttp://www.stashspace.com/video-transfer/vhs-to-dvd.stm
I have been researching this for my dad. He has tons of old VHS tapes of the family from when I was growing up that he wants to preserve. I figured that moving them to DVD would be the best way. I have found many different ideas to do this but the easist recommendation came from this list of software: http://www.burnworld.com/software/video/vhs-to-dvd-review.htm I purchased the Roxio product and it came with the cable I need to hook up the VCR to the computer, that way I was able to capture the video and then burn to a disc. I hope others find this useful and easy.
Posted by: Michael Nantz at November 13, 2009 9:56 AM