If you have a video tape collection, you’ve probably wondered whether you can preserve it in digital format. The good news is that you can.
Using a VHS-DVD combination player/recorder, you can transfer your home movies to DVDs or digital files that are playable on modern devices. But, there’s a learning curve and it’s time-consuming to convert old vhs to digital format.
Preparation
Before attempting to convert any VHS tapes to digital, it is essential to do a complete inventory of the collections in possession. This will provide a clear picture of the number of tapes and the overall condition of those tapes. It will also give an idea of how long the project will take to complete and the cost of converting. 
VHS, or Video Home System, was a popular home video recording format that emerged in the early 70s. It competed with competing disc and tape systems from Sony (Betamax) and Philips, but was able to retain market share due to its reliability and ease of use. VHS tapes are susceptible to many environmental issues that will shorten their lifespan and impact the quality of the recorded information.
Most of these issues are caused by moisture and environmental conditions. VHS tapes are best stored in a low relative humidity environment, between 30 and 50%. Any higher and the magnetic tape can degrade to a sticky, unplayable state. It is also important to keep VHS tapes in a stable temperature environment. Extreme fluctuations in temperatures stress the substrate and backing of the tape and will result in tracking problems during playback.
In addition, VHS tapes should be kept in a well-ventilated area with minimal light. Too much light will cause tape degradation and yellowing. It is also recommended that all VHS tapes be transferred to new cassette shells before digitizing, so they are less susceptible to damage during the process.
When converting to digital, the quality of the results will depend on the type of equipment and software used to record the VHS tapes to digital. The best quality is generally achieved with a professional-grade digitization device that is capable of capturing the highest quality analog signal possible. However, not all institutions will have access to this type of equipment and high-end digital conversion software. Regardless of the quality chosen, it is vital to do something, at least at a minimum level of quality, before tape degradation and/or playback machine obsolescence result in the loss of entire collections of analog video recordings.
Capturing
Most people have at least a small collection of old analog videotapes, and these need to be converted to digital format in order to be preserved. While many DIY enthusiasts might think that this is a simple process that can be done at home, the truth is that this is not quite the case and a bit of preparation is required in order to achieve high quality results.
The first thing that needs to be done is to prepare the tapes for digitizing. This involves cleaning the tapes to remove any dirt or debris that might be present on them. This is a critical step as any contaminants can damage the equipment being used for the digitization process. This can lead to digital errors that will be transmitted to the final digital file.
Fortunately, there are many different products on the market that are designed to clean tapes for digitization purposes. These include both hand-held and bench-top models. Some of these models are even able to do a more thorough job than other types of manual cleaners. In addition, they are often less expensive and can be found at a number of different stores including many major box retailers as well as large drug stores that have photo departments.
After the tapes have been cleaned, they can then be inserted into an appropriate video capture device that is used to digitize them. A computer that is running the software that will perform the digitization can be connected to the capture device in order to control it and monitor the progress. The final digital file can be viewed on the computer using the appropriate viewing screen available in the software being used. This can be an important step in ensuring that any problems with the captured video are not transferred to the final digital file.
While converting VHS to digital can be done at home, it is recommended that a professional service be considered for any high value or unique tapes in an archive. The higher level of digitization that is offered by some services will be able to ensure that all the data on the tapes is properly transferred to a new format that can be accessed and viewed by future generations.
Converting
VHS tapes are widely held in home video collections and, as with most analog media, they can only be stored for a limited amount of time before the magnetic medium begins to degrade. Once this occurs, the information on the tape will be lost. The goal of converting these tapes to digital is to ensure that the recordings can be accessed in the future.
Unfortunately, the process of transferring analog video to digital is not an easy task. In fact, it requires a substantial investment in both equipment and time. Therefore, it is important to consider the options available to determine the most cost-effective solution to your digitization needs.
There are a number of different ways to convert old VHS tapes to digital formats. These options range from DIY solutions to professional conversion services. Regardless of your preferred option, it is crucial to keep a few key factors in mind to ensure that you receive the highest quality and best turnaround time possible.
In order to transfer VHS tapes to digital, the first step is to evaluate the condition of the tape and cassette. This can be accomplished by visually inspecting the tapes and using a simple test to determine the quality of the recording. In some cases, it may be necessary to seek professional assistance or advice before attempting any type of conversion.
Once the tapes are in good condition, the process of digitizing can begin. A simple VHS-to-DVD converter or a more advanced model with a built-in digitizer can be used for the process. In either case, the preparation of the tapes must be completed beforehand and it is important to follow the specific instructions provided by the manufacturer in order to avoid errors during the capturing process.
During this process, the VHS videotape is recorded onto a digital file that can then be transferred to a computer for editing and playback. In many cases, the converted file will need to be converted back to the VHS format in order to playback on a standard television set.
It is important to remember that, just like the original VHS tapes, the digital files will need to be preserved in a manner that will allow them to remain accessible for years to come. This is especially true if the digital files will be required for legal purposes or to make them accessible to people with vision impairments.
Storage
VHS tapes were once a popular way for families to share home videos. But those tapes weren’t designed to last forever, and even if your family still has a working VCR, you may want to consider converting them to digital video files. This process allows the information to be more easily accessed in the future.
Digital video files can be stored on a computer hard drive, burned to DVD or uploaded to a cloud storage service. These files don’t create visual clutter and can be easily shared with friends and relatives. But, as with analog formats such as VHS, these digital files will degrade over time and require additional care and attention.
The process of digitizing analog videotapes typically involves scanning the tape’s magnetic signal and converting it to a digital file. This is often done using software that has specific settings and a connected external capture device. Many large box stores, camera shops and some drug stores have equipment for this purpose. However, the quality of these devices and the associated software can vary widely, so it’s important to explore your options.
Depending upon the quality and amount of data being transferred, you may choose to convert your tapes to a lower-quality digital format. This reduces the size of the resulting digital file, but is likely to result in noticeable image degradation. Alternatively, you can choose to convert the tapes to a high-quality digital format. In this case, you’ll be able to store the information on a single DVD disc or in a standard digital media file.
Regardless of which method you select, it’s a good idea to screen the tapes before starting the digitization process. This step will eliminate duplicate content and allow you to decide if the tape is worth keeping. In addition, it will subject the tapes to less wear and tear since they won’t be played twice.
