A Guide To Converting VHS To DVD

How to transfer your video tapes to a PC

If you've got a bunch of old video tapes, you probably have a collection of both home videos, Disney movies, and other classics on this old format. Well, don't throw out all your VHS tapes; convert them to DVD instead! This free guide will show you exactly how that is done.

First of all, you should be aware that there are services that will transfer VHS to DVD for you. However, the fact is that VHS to DVD conversion is actually pretty easy to do it yourself. It may sound difficult to install software, create DVD's, or connect video cables, but if you follow the step-by-step instructions in this guide, you'll be able to quickly convert your first VHS tape to either your Mac or PC.

You have two choices of methods of transferring VHS tapes to DVD. One method is to use a combo VHS/DVD recorder machine. This machine looks like a VCR, but it also has a DVD burner. Thus, you don't need a computer to convert VHS tapes to DVD with this solution. However, the problem with this solution is that machines like this can cost $200 or more!

In this guide, you'll learn to transfer your VHS tapes in the second way... with your computer. (But you can get more info on conversion machines at VHS To DVD Hardware.) Using the computer method, you can also transfer video to digital format from your DV camcorder, 8mm/Hi8 camera, or DVR box. You will need a few pieces of equipment to use this method, but it is extremely inexpensive once you have this equipment!

What Do You Need To Transfer VHS Tapes To DVD?

1. VCR Tape Player. If you don't have a VCR anymore, just pick up a used Sony VCR on eBay. They're cheap. (Obviously, you won't need it after you transfer your tapes.) Note that if you want to transfer PAL format tapes, you'll need to get a PAL format VCR. If you don't know what this means, you need a regular North America (NTSC) format VCR.

2. RCA Video Cable. You will need a stereo audio/video RCA cable. Get the kind with three plugs on both ends. It's best if you can get a longer cable (at least 6FT or more) because you will need to connect your cable from your VCR to your PC.

3. Video Capture Device. For example, consider the StarTech SVID2USB2 device which connects through USB 2.0 port (plug-n-play). Devices like these will allow you to transfer high-quality video from a video device (i.e. your VCR) onto your computer.

4. Video Editing Software. You can use free programs such as Windows Movie Maker, but we advise paying for professional video editing software. We highly recommend Pinnacle Studio 15 for its ease of use. This software will record video from your USB video capture device, allow you to edit transferred video (for example, to remove commercials or unwanted portions), and burn the video to DVD. Most software allows you to touch up video by adding DVD menus, adjusting shaky video, tweaking color and hue, and so on.

5. Blank DVD's & Labels. You should get DVD-R discs (such as Verbatim DVD-R discs), because these can be played on most DVD players (unlike DVD-RW or DVD+R). DVD-R discs are compatible with most older DVD players, whereas newer disc formats are not. Blank DVD's are normally sold by the "spindle." Each disc holds two hours (120 minutes) of video or 4.7GB of data. Consider getting some Avery DVD labels to create custom labels for your discs.

6. PC or Macintosh Computer. You'll need a fairly new computer running Microsoft Windows Vista, Windows 7, or Apple OS X. Converting and editing video is a resource-intensive task, and an old Windows 98 computer won't cut it!

Begin Converting Your Tapes!

Step #1: Install Software & Updates

You'll want to install everything before you start converting tapes to DVD.

First, get any updates for your computer before you start. Go to WindowsUpdate.com and get any new drivers for your PC, especially for your graphics card.

Then, install the software/drivers that came on the CD with your video capture device.

Finally, install the video editing software you chose. You're ready for step #2!

Step #2: Hook Up Cables

First, plug in your video capture card and let your computer recognize it. You will probably need to restart your PC.

Next, situate your VCR player near your computer. Plug one end of your RCA video cable into the analog "output" jacks in the back of the VCR. Plug the other ends of the cable into your video capture device.

Put a VHS tape into your VCR, rewind to the beginning of the tape, and start playing it.

Side note: this will bypass any copy protection on your VHS tape, since the VCR can't tell if it's playing to your computer or to a TV.

Step #3: Transfer Video

Next, start up Pinnacle Studio 15 on your computer. When the program has started, go to the "Capture" tab.

Click the "Settings" button. Make sure the video source is set to your video capture card.

After you see video in the program, click "Start Capture" to start transferring your VHS tape. After the tape has ended, stop the capture.

Step #4: Edit Video

After you've transferred your tape, you will need to add the video to a project timeline.

Go to the "Edit" tab in the software. Drag the created video onto the timeline at the bottom. If you'd like to include the entire video without editing it, click the "Files" button before dragging the video.

At this step, you can edit the video if necessary. For more information on how to do this, please see the Pinnacle Studio manual. You can also add a DVD menu by clicking the DVD menu button on the left.

Step #5: Burn DVD

Finally, click the "Make Movie" tab in the software.

Choose "Disc" on the left and "DVD" for disc type. Load a blank disc in your DVD burner and click the "Create Disc" button.

You can also create video files here if you just want to save your movie on your PC. You can save in any of the following formats: MP4/MPEG/AVI/DivX/MOV/QuickTime/iPod/iPad. You can also upload your video to YouTube.com to share with others.

You have transferred your first VHS tape to DVD! Believe it or not... but that is all there is to it!