How Can You Digitise Your Old VHS Tapes to DVD?

With the advancement in technologies, videotapes are no longer accessible. But saving all the information stored in these tapes is important, thus shifting all the information into a new format is much more accessible. The best way to save these videos is to digitally transfer them to data files. This is because data files have greater flexibility and can be stored and played on a variety of media sources. While you can digitize the media yourself, lack of appropriate equipment and knowledge is problematic.

Key points to consider when outsourcing a professional service

There are certain questions that need to be answered and details that need to be sorted in order to ensure that the digitization goals are met. These include:

● Ask for the recommendation from friends, colleagues, others and for outsourcing refer companies for their past experiences.

● Take the testimonials of the companies you shortlisted under consideration and research about their qualification, staff management, and their specialization and analog formats they are specialised in. ( not only VHS)

● Talk with the people doing the work and do not hesitate to ask about specific challenges if you think your tapes are suffering from deterioration or damage.

● Discuss the shipping procedures, for example, how the tapes will be packed and what temperatures and humidity environment will they be exposed to, and the costs involved in shipping the originals and masters to and from the outsourcing organization.

● Verify whether the outsourcing company has insurance to cover the loss of the materials during shipping and when the tape is being used.

How to Convert VHS to DVD

Method 1. 

● Copy VHS to DVD using a VCR and DVD Recorders

In this method, you are required to connect VCR to DVD recorder and then the cables which are played VCR using a DVD recorder. Though this is a simple and quick method, it does not give you an option to select menus, chapters, buttons, and other disc options.

Method 2. 

● Record VHS to DVD using VCR/DVD Recording Combo

This is another method where a combo having a VCR and a DVD recorder in a single unit can be used. These combo units can be purchased online or from a local store and the functioning is almost the same as the above method. The process is simple and hassle-free as no device connection is required. You simply need to insert and play the VHS tape in one section while inserting a blank DVD into the other. As the tape is played in one section, it is simultaneously recorded to the DVD in the other section. A lot of these combo units also come with a cross-dubbing function.

Method 3. 

● Using VHS to DVD Service

If the number of tapes for VHS to DVD is less then you can even opt for the professional VHS transfer services by various companies that will prevent you from buying any additional device and the hassle of converting it on your own.

Final Words

There is always a way to keep the memories alive whether the technology changes or not. But with the advancement in technology you can quickly convert old VHS tapes into DVD or digital. And when you are ready, export the file in digital format and relive all the memories.