How to Convert Commercial VHS to DVD Devices

VHS tapes age and the tape can deteriorate, resulting in lower quality.

Converting old VHS tapes to DVD is a relatively simple process and can easily be done at home using a standard computer. While the DVD will still play at only VHS quality the DVD will allow the user to skip to sections of the video quickly, something that is not possible with a VHS tape. There are commercial devices that automatically convert VHS to DVD and they range in price from $150 to $500, with standard models costing around $200, as of 2010.

Things You'll Need

• Video capture software
• DVD burning software
• Blank DVD
• Computer with audio/video inputs
• VCR

Instructions

1. Download or purchase a video capture software. Industry professionals use Adobe Premiere Pro or Sony Vegas for capturing, yet free options exist in the form of Windows Movie Maker which comes standard on Windows operating systems and can also be downloaded from Microsoft.

2. 

   RCA cables are typically red, white and yellow.

   Connect the VCR to the computer and insert the VHS tape. Many computers have RCA inputs that allow the VCR to connect easily. If the computer does not have RCA inputs then purchase an RCA to USB converter from any electronics store. This device costs less than $20 (as of 2010) and converts the RCA signal from the VCR to a USB plug which all computers have. Plug the RCA cables from the VCR either into the computer or into the converter and the converter into the USB port.

3. Open the video capture software. Create a new file by clicking "File," "New." Capture the video from the VCR by selecting "file," "capture." The default capture settings are usually fine for most captures. Turn on the VCR and press "Capture" on the program. Play the VHS tape; the program is now capturing the video from the VCR. After the capture has ended the video will not be in the default capture location for the program. The default capture location can be found by looking at the "Options" or "Preferences" for the video capture program.

4. Find the newly captured file on the hard drive. Open the DVD burning program; Nero and Adobe Encore are both great programs for burning DVDs. Insert the captured VHS file into a burning track, insert a blank DVD into the computer's DVD drive and "Burn" the DVD.

References

• Sign Video: How to Convert VHS to DVD
• PC World: Making Movies: From VHS to DVD
• Cnet: Burn Those Tapes: VHS-to-DVD Decks