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Transferring VHS to computer file
Underdog
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
I've got a VHS of some very pleasant childhood memories and I want to know what I need to do to transfer it onto my computer since the tape isn't holding up to father time too well. What's the process and what kind of equipment will I need exactly?
Edit: Spelling!
Edit: Spelling!
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Buying something like this http://www.firebox.com/product/2108/USB-VHS-Converter, which is pretty much a VHS player with USB. Or..
Getting a video capture card and hooking that up to a VHS player with either composite and rca or those big white cables..can't remember their name
be warned though that a lot of those usb vcr's require to use their software/drivers etc. and I've heard some pretty bad horror stories about how well they work.
running the output of the vcr into a capture card via composite,co-ax, svideo, or whatever your vcr can do is the prefered method, and not that hard.
I... don't really understand most of what you just said.
ok than, well first you get a video capture card like say this: $40 card. or any other card really though I'd stick with Hauppage products, they make some good cards, and they offer really good support.
than you run the output from your vcr to the card either with composite (the red/white/yellow cables) or with s-video (has a little circular 4-pin connection) co-ax is like what comes from your wall for cable, single pin the middle, cicular connection.
than you open up the recording software that will of come with the card, press play on the vcr, and record.
thats it, your done. press stop when your tape is over and you now have the file on your computer.
I actually wouldn't mind doing it but I can understand you may not be comfortable with that option. As was said, there are plenty of capture card options available. An easier one would be a USB option like this:
http://www.amazon.com/Diamond-VC500-Touch-Capture-Device/dp/B000VM60I8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1258603860&sr=8-2
Then you would use a VCR and have composite cables running from its output to the input of this device. The composite output should be labelled as "OUT" on the back of your VCR and will have a yellow, red, and white jack. You can buy the necessary cables at your local Radio Shack or order them for cheaper at Monoprice.com. Good luck!
*salutes* Sounds like the least complicated plan. Thank you, I'll pick a capture card and give this a go in a bit.
lol thanks for the offer MugenMidget but this is a family treasure so I only trust it in my hands. I'm really tempted to go the dvd/vcr combo but man, it's pricey and I'm sure I'd get an earful from my mom, even if it is a really important tape.
For those who are curious, it's a short scene that features my uncle Eric and all the kids in the family (about 8) dancing around a living room during Christmas. It's touching since uncle Eric passed away 2 years ago and it really hit the family hard. So I'm hoping to get it down on something digital and let everyone reminisce when the entire family (about 20 of us) get together for Christmas again.
There's one part where my uncle starts to dance like an Egyptian in his shorts and wife beater. All the kids of course follow suit and suddenly there are nine Asians dancing around like idiots.