Use Your Camcorder To Convert VHS Tapes to DVD

Thu Jun 22, 2006 8:05AM EDT

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We all have them. Clunky old VHS tapes that hold some of our most precious memories. Technology is moving at such a fast pace, so if you want to share those memories with your offspring in years to come, it's probably a good idea to start converting your VHS tapes into a DVD format right away. In case you didn't know, VHS tapes have an average shell life of about 10-15 years before they start degrading.

Dory tackled the subject of converting VHS tapes to DVD by using third-party tools a few months ago. CNet also has a tutorial on how to use Pinnacle System's Studio MovieBox 9.0 to get the job done. Both methods require you to spend some extra cash on software and hardware tools.

There's another method available that allows you to convert VHS to DVD without having to shell out extra cash if you already have a digital camcorder. Techlore writes about a process that consists of playing the video through your VCR, and capturing it with your digital camcorder. Once captured on the digital camcorder, you'll have to transfer it back into your computer to edit it, then burn the DVD.

This may not be the fastest way to do this, but it's definitely the cheapest way if you already have a VCR and camcorder. Having a DVD camcorder will cut down on this process, since you can record straight to DVD!

Once you have that video on your computer, you can also share it with your family online. There are many video hosting solutions out there nowadays that allow you to do this. All you need to get started is a computer with a DVD burner, video editing software and blank DVDs.

Once you burn your DVD, look for creative ways to label your DVDs. Robin Raskin offers us some options like LightScribe, and other fun alternatives.

What tools have you used to convert VHS Tapes to DVD? 

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  • 1 Posted by dkcalifornia on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:45PM EDT Report Abuse

    I know the article only implies copying "your precious memories" (i.e. your own homemade video tapes). Don't let the DRM folks read this article or you'll be in their cross-hairs! They know full well that you can also copy your old VHS Hollywood titles and skip paying for them again in DVD format (or BluRay, or HD-DVD or whatever future format comes out). I mean, how many times does one have to purchase "Psycho" to keep watching essentially the same content?

  • 2 Posted by spizzie2001 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:36PM EDT Report Abuse

    i need all the info i can get on how to transfer vcr tapes into my computer to make dvds,,cables and where to hook them up at ,,i'm new at this ,i don't know all these cable & ports names .. i think there is something you can buy to upload vcr to and then to dvd burner ,,anyone know what that is i saw it some where here on yahoo tech,,,,help me if you can. tks carl

  • 3 Posted by gramps_1_c on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:12PM EDT Report Abuse

    the easiest way to copy video tapes that don't have copy guarded material is to buy a machine that has a vcr player/recorder and a dvd player/recorder in the same machine. just put your tape in one slot and a blank dvd in the other slot and press the copy button. sanyo, emerson and other companies make them and they can be bought at wal-mart or almost any electronics store for about $200 or less.

  • 4 Posted by amarnathvalli on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:52PM EDT Report Abuse

    i have a hitachi make camorder uses 8mm tapes. how o convert the tapes to dvd thank u vallam

  • 5 Posted by mairambija on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:04PM EDT Report Abuse

    or you can visit and try VHS to DVD and transfer your home video tapes to dvd. You can get a pretty good conversion at a reasonable price from a lot of places. But what are most of these companies lacking? Care and attention to detail! Other ways you get totally amateurish product done with domestic equipment. link: http://www.vhs-to-dvd.com/

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