Elgato USB Analog Video Capture Device #1VC104001001 9.9 9.4 10.0 2: Dazzle DVD Recorder HD - Video Capture Card Device PC Disc NIB 9.5 9.0 9.6 3. Bring your old movie collection and family videos stored on VHS cassettes back to life with Movavi Video Editor! This handy software lets you digitize your VHS tapes, even if you’ve never done it before. To learn, how to transfer VHS to a PC or Mac, just download the program and follow our simple instructions below.
by Christine Smith • 2020-06-28 11:16:28 • Proven solutions
'How do I convert VHS tapes to digital?'
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Everyone wants to relive those memorable moments in their lives, be it their wedding, a special birthday or a momentous event and what better way to do that than to convert your VHS and camcorder tapes to videos that you can watch whenever you want. There are scores of converter devices just asking to be used but when precious memories are at stake, you'd like to use one of the top VHS converters.
Product Recommendation - Best DVD Converter for Windows/Mac
Wondershare UniConverter - All-in-one Video Converter
- Convert DVD to digital videos in 1000+ formats including MP4, MOV, AVI, WMV, FLV, etc.
- Burn videos to DVD with free menu templates and customized settings.
- 30X super fast converting speed without losing quality.
- Convert video to optimized preset for almost all of the devices.
- Edit videos with trimming, cropping, rotating, editing subtitles, adding watermarks, etc.
- Download or record videos from 10,000 video sharing sites like YouTube, Vimeo, and others.
- Versatile toolbox includes fixing video metadata, GIF maker, casting video to TV, image converter and screen recorder.
- Supported OS: Windows 10/8/7/XP/Vista, Mac OS 10.15 (Catalina), 10.14, 10.13, 10.12, 10.11, 10.10, 10.9, 10.8, 10.7, 10.6.
Tips
If you have already recorded VHS tapes to DVD disc, then Wondershare UniConverter can help you convert DVD to digital video formats. Go to how to convert VHS DVD to MP4 on Windows/Mac >> to learn more details.
1. Elgato Video Capture
This is perhaps one of the very few converters that's ideal for Mac computers but not really compatible with Windows—it does work with Windows 7 or 8 but that's about it. This is indeed a limiting feature of the device especially if you're still on Vista or XP. The converter is easy to install, is a great choice and a great option if you have the latest operating system.
That said, converting tapes is a breeze with a Mac as the app automatically transfers VHS data to the computer. Another good thing about the application is that you can either choose to watch the video while it is being transferred or just watch it without doing any recording. The PowerDirector software is apparently adequate while transferring VHS data to Windows and what's more, in addition to conversion, editing can also be done. You have the option to cut out those portions of the films that you don't want, you can even add titles and include chapter breaks.
It is priced under $80 and is available on Amazon.
Pros
Great for Mac operating systems and includes video editing software
Cons
Not compatible with Windows XP or Vista, only on Windows 7 and higher.
2. Diamond Video Capture
Priced under $40, it is stated to be one of the best VHS converter devices around. It's easy to use, highly functional and has earned the Top Ten Reviews Gold Award for VHS to DVD converters. It allows videos to be captured from almost any video source and is extremely compatible with external video capture devices and video editing software. The CD that accompanies the device has drivers for all windows operating systems. As the Windows Media Suites are very easy to use, videos can be edited easily and quickly. A good feature is that you can still take shots even while you are recording video.
You can use this VHS converter to watch analog videos from box or PlayStation and also record material from your DVR to your computer. It does come bundled with Arcsoft ShowBiz but you have the option of switching over to any other video capture application of your choice.
Pros
Compatible with Windows 8, 7, Vista or XP. In case you're running Windows 7 or below, capturing and conversion of videos from VHS can be done with the help of Windows Movie Maker.
Cons
Not compatible with Mac but it does have a separate converter model that makes it compatible.
Capture Analog Video Software To Mac Pc
3. Honestech VHS to DVD 7.0 Deluxe
This converter costs less than $60 and is different from its counterparts in that it is larger than a USB dongle. The drivers that come along are invariably outdated and although it supports plug and play, it's hard to get it up and running. However, once you get the settings right, the results are amazing. It can even bypass copyright protection.
The Honestech VHS to DVD 7 Deluxe has the ability to capture videos in most standard formats and also in WMV format. The fact that the software includes three different capturing modes means it's good for novices as well as advanced users. The user-friendly and powerful converter won the Top Ten Reviews Bronze Award.
Pros
Allows you to capture from VCR and BETA and HDV camcorders. In addition, you can also burn your videos to Blu-Ray Disc.
Cons
Not compatible with Mac computers and installation could be slightly difficult.
4. KWorld DVD Maker USB2800D
Priced at under $30, this converter has many limitations, but if you only want to use this product on an XP machine with Windows Movie Maker, then you have the simplest and easiest of converters. You just need to plug in the device, download drivers from CD, and you're all set to covert.
Do remember however NOT to use the software included as it is incompatible with PowerDirector and PowerProducer software. Also don't use it with Windows Vista and Windows 7.
Pros
Functions very well on windows XP with Windows Movie Maker
Cons
Not compatible with most software- doesn't work on Windows Vista
5. Roxio VHS to DVD Mac
Priced at under $60, this Roxio Easy VHS to DVD download software is a very versatile product and lives up to its name once you get started. The included software works well and records audio from tapes and records and also captures videos. It is compatible with nearly all types of video capture and editing software and its broad range of features earns it the silver award in the Top Ten Reviews. You can directly burn from a VCR to a DVD or transfer VHS tapes to your PC and can also convert vinyl records to CDs and MP3s. It can also be used with other third party video capture software.
Pros
It is compatible with Windows 8, 7, Vista and XP, compatible with third party software, easy to use and also has a separate converter for Mac.
Cons
It is compatible with Windows 8, 7, Vista and XP, compatible with third party software, easy to use and also has a separate converter for Mac.
6. Hauppauge Video Capture USB-Live2
Priced under $43, the Hauppauge video capture device is compatible with almost all software and can record even copyrighted material. Works on several operating systems but the included software doesn't work well. In fact, the conversion process is better with Windows Movie Maker.
Pros
Works well with the XP, Vista and Windows 7 operating systems and is compatible with most third party video capture software.
Cons
Included software doesn't work well to capture your videos.
So, you can choose one of the tools above to help you convert VHS to digital videos. And Amazon also provides VHS conversion service. If you need a complete video toolbox, Wondershare UniConverter will be your right choice.
Memories fade over time and some are easily lost forever, especially if they’re stored on old VHS tapes. This is my guide on how to transfer your VHS tapes to your Mac, so you can store them for the future.
When I came home for Christmas eight years ago in 2010, my parents had organized all of their old VHS tapes from when I was a kid. When we watched some of them, I realized that these tapes needed to be transfered to digital form before they deteriorated further.
I took me seven years, but last year I decided to finally transfer these tapes to digital form as a Christmas gift to my parents.
This is how I did it, step by step.
1. Getting the equipment
Transferring VHS tapes to a computer requires getting some equipment.
Luckily, my parents had already done a lot of the hard work by having not one but two VHS players in great shape (one broke down and we had to repair it for $72, but that’s another story).
This is the equipment I used (excluding my Macbook):
VHS player
VHS players are easily found on websites like Ebay, unless you already have one laying around. If not, perhaps you know someone you can borrow one from.
VHS-C cassettes
Chances are your old VHS cassettes are of the smaller VHS-C format. These types of cassettes were introduced in 1982 and were primarily used in consumer-grade camcorders. They need a VHS-C adapter to be played on a VHS player.
VHS-C adapter
A VHS-C adapter is basically a battery-driven hollow VHS cassette in which you insert a smaller VHS-C cassette.
You insert it in your VHS player and play it like a regular cassette. You can buy these adapters on websites like Amazon.
Video capture dongle
There are lots of different video capture dongles available today. What they do is that they transfer the analog signal from the VHS player to a digital one that your computer can process.
The dongles are always bundled with some video capture software (right?) for recording the video feed and saving it as a video file.
I used Plexgear Moviesaver 600 from the Swedish company Kjell & Company. It works for both macOS and Windows and cost me about $50 (400 sek).
The bundled video capture software Empia (for macOS) is somewhat buggy and not that well designed, bit it is simple and does what it has to.
SCART to RCA cable
The Plexgear video capture dongle connects to your computer through one of its USB ports. However, it needs another cable to connect to your VHS player.
I connected it to my parents’ VHS player using a brand new SCART to RCA cable that cost me about $24 (200 sek).
No TV?
Nope, with this setup the video feed will be displayed on your computer screen with the bundled video capture software.
2. Connecting the equipment
Once you’ve got all the hardware, the setup is quite simple as you can see in the image below.
Kjell & Company has also put together this product video (in Swedish) on how to connect their video capture dongle to your computer.
When I first connected the dongle to the VHS player, I ran into some trouble. I had used an old SCART connector that didn’t work. I don’t know why, but it had only eight pins. The new one I bought worked fine and it had 20 pins. Coincidence?
3. Transferring the VHS tapes
When you transfer a tape, it’s being recorded as it’s being played. If a tape contains 30 minutes of footage, the transfer will take 30 minutes. Each transferred tape will then be saved as its own video file.
For using the video capture software Empia that is bundled with the Plexgear dongle, I have the following advice:
- Remember to set the input video source to composite video or S-Video depending on which one you’re using.
- Set a long time limit (you have to set one) if you don’t know how much footage a VHS tape contains.
- Start by recording just a few seconds of video to make sure audio is being recorded and that everything is working.
4. Compressing the video files
After transferring the first tape, the file size ended up being much larger than I expected. A recording of just around 30 minutes weighed 1.5 GB. Another tape with a runtime of two hours and six minutes took up a whooping 25 GB. I needed to compress these files.
Luckily, two friends of mine with lots of experience in video editing recommended the free video converter application Handbrake (available for macOS, Windows and Ubuntu).
Handbrake worked wonders and shrunk the 30 minute recording from 1.5 GB to 450 MB. The 25 GB recording was shrunk to just 1.5 GB. Quality stayed the same, nice!
5. Storing the video files
When it comes to storing the video files, I’d recommend storing them on as many places as possible. Don’t put all of your eggs in one basket. I store them on:
- My Macbook
- My Time Machine backup hard drive
- My iCloud account
- A USB memory stick
My dad also stores the video files like this. I was going to store them on my Dropbox account too, but I didn’t have enough space.
Do not just burn the video files on DVDs. These DVDs will deteriorate just like your old VHS tapes.
6. Editing the video files
After transferring, compressing and storing your video files you might want to edit them. Several of my video files contained long moments with just a blank screen before the next segment.
When I find the time, I’ll delete these moments using iMovie on macOS. If you’re using Windows, the software Windows Movie Maker will probably be suitable.
Wrapping up
Transferring old VHS tapes to digital form is time-consuming, but very rewarding. It might be technically tricky and expensive, but once you’ve done it the video will be there forever (if you store it well).
Some memories will surprise you, many will make you smile and others will be bittersweet to watch.
Here is a short video clip from July 7, 1994 of my little bunny rabbit Snuffe. He turned eleven years old before he passed away in the Summer of 2004. I still miss him from time to time.
Do you have any questions? Let me know in the comment section.
/Alex