How to Download a VHS Video Onto a Computer

Connect a VCR to your computer with a USB TV tuner.

Over the years, you may have used a VHS camcorder to record home videos, or perhaps you have a collection of VHS movies that you want to back up to your computer. Transferring VHS videotape to your computer is easy with a video capture device, which is often included in popular USB TV tuner hardware designed to record live television and other video sources.

Things You'll Need

• USB TV tuner with RCA video inputs
• RCA audio video connection cable
• VHS player (VCR)

Instructions

1. Insert the installation CD that was included with your USB TV tuner. Run the installation program to install the device drivers and recording software on your computer.

2. Plug the USB TV tuner into a USB port. When the computer notifies you the device was installed correctly and is ready to use, proceed.

3. Connect the VCR to your TV tuner using the RCA audio and video connection cable. Match the yellow, red and white connectors with the corresponding color-coded jacks on the RCA outputs of the VCR and RCA inputs of the USB TV tuner.

4. Open the video capture software and designate a location on your hard drive where you want to save the recorded video file.

5. Configure the inputs used on the USB TV tuner by selecting "Composite" from the input options menu.

6. Insert a VHS tape in the VCR and press the "Play" button.

7. Click the red "Record" icon in the video capture software.

8. Click the "Stop" icon when you get to the end of the video you are transferring.

Tips & Warnings

• If recording a significant number of VHS tapes to your computer, you will need 40 to 60 gigabytes of available space on your hard drive to accommodate the large video files. Consider adding an external USB hard drive dedicated to video storage.

• Use the USB TV tuner to record live television programming using the cable input from your antenna or cable television.

References

• reviews.cnet.com: Transfer your VHS tapes to DVD