3 Ways to Convert VHS Tapes to DVD

Reliablecounter Team

Have you seen your parents’ wedding video?

Did you see it on the VCR player or on your laptop via DVD?

Most of you must have seen it on VCR player via a VHS tape, or you wanted to watch it but you don’t have a VCR player.

Getting a VCR player is difficult because they are mostly obsolete. So, how about converting VHS tapes to DVD and watching it on your laptop?

In this article, I will tell you what VHS tape are and 3 ways to Convert VHS Tapes to DVD. This will let you watch the DVD at your convenience on a laptop or a DVD player, and relive those beautiful memories.

So, let’s find out.

 

What is VHS Tape?

VHS stands for Video Home System, which was developed in the early 70s by Victor Company of Japan. They were quite famous because they had longer recording time and you were able to rewind or fast-forward the video at a faster rate. The VHS tapes were played on Video Cassette Recorder (VCR) player. The VCR player is now obsolete and hardly anyone owns it now, though VHS tapes are still stored with so many memories of weddings, birthdays, picnics, etc. To relive those memories you need to convert the VHS tapes to DVD format.

DVDs came in the 2000s and got popular because it was able to store better quality videos and more data. Also, it has a better shelf life than VHS tapes.

 

3 Ways to Convert VHS Tapes to DVD

1.   Using a DVD recorder

First, you will be needed the following things:

  • VCR
  • DVD recorder
  • Blank DVD-R disc
  • RCA cables

Now you can start copying the content of VHS tape to DVD via a DVD recorder by following the steps below:

  • Plug the input ports on the DVD recorder.
  • Put in the VHS tape that you want to copy in the VCR.
  • Now put a writable DVD in the DVD recorder.
  • First start the DVD recording and then press ‘play’ on the VCR to start tape playback. First, start DVD recording so you don’t miss the first few seconds of the VHS tape.

2.   Using a DVD Recorder/VHS VCR Combination Unit

Another method for converting VHS tapes to DVD is by using a DVD recorder and VHS VCR combo. It is easier to convert because VCR and DVD recorder is a single device and no RCA cables are required.

You can also use a cross-dubbing function by selecting which way you want to dub; VHS to DVD or DVD to VHS. This can be done once you insert the VHS tape and DVD-R in the combo device and press the ‘Dub’ button.

In some combo devices, there is no dubbing function, so you have to press ‘Record’ on the DVD side and ‘Play’ on the VCR side.

The equipment needed:

  • Combo VCR/DVD recorder
  • Blank DVD-R disc

3.   Connect a VCR to a PC via a video capture device

In this method, you first need to use an analog-to-digital video capture device for connecting your VCR to a computer or laptop. Then you have to record your VHS video to the computer’s hard drive. Once the video is on the hard drive, you can copy it on the DVD using a computer’s DVD writer.

Most of the analog-to-digital video capture device comes with a box that includes inputs to plug your VCR into as well as a USB output for connecting to your computer. And some of them have editing software through which you can add titles and chapters in your video.

You need to have enough space in your PC’s RAM. Also, processor and hard drive speed should be good so that transfer is not interrupted or you may lose some video during the transfer.

The equipment needed for this method:

  • VCR player
  • Computer with a DVD writer
  • Analog-to-digital adapter
  • DVD burning software
  • Blank DVD-R disc

Even with all the three options to convert VHS tapes to DVD, you still might need professional help to convert some of the VHS tapes. Either it is too difficult to get combo devices or your PC does not have a DVD writer. Therefore, you can get professional help to convert VHS to DVD service.

Epic Media Productions, provides video transfer service by converting VHS tapes and store it on DVDs, USB, or hard drive. The best part of their service is that they do the conversion in-house and does not send the tapes through the mail. So your tapes are not lost and privacy is maintained.

Epic Media manually edit and does color correction so that the converted video is as good as or better than the original. They can also cut out empty footage, remove tracking errors, stabilize images, and organize the entire movie into chapters with helpful titles. Getting professional help also saves time and effort because video editing is a cumbersome process since you have to play the entire tape to record it.

Epic Media supports formats transfer of VHS, VHS-C, Betamax, 8MM, Hi 8MM, Digital 8MM, DV, Mini DV, DVCAM, Betacam, Betacam SP, 3/4″ Umatic, 8MM Film, S8MM Film, 16MM Film, 35MM Slides, 35MM Negatives, Audio Cassettes to CD, 1/4″ Reel to Reel Audio Tape to CD.

 

So, go give a new life to your memories stored on your VHS tapes and surprise your parents or grandparents by showing them those videos on your computer. Try the 3 methods of converting VHS tapes to DVD or you can get professional help from Epic Media Production.

Tell me in the comment below how successful you were in doing the conversion.