Question: VHS to digital conversion.

[BoomBoomBigelow]

I just unearthed a VHS tape recording of a cover band gig I did 128 years ago.
So what's the latest and greatest and cheapest way to convert from tape to digits?
I only have an onboard graphics chip and for sure no RCA inputtage. I'm aware of special purpose cards for this but don't wanna spring, unless they are super cheap nowadays. As a last resort art project I could always play it on the TV and record it with my phone.

 

[mattburnside]

If it's just the one tape, I would find a local video store that does conversions. They'll do it for a pittance. I've got a DVD burner that takes RCA video/audio inputs but to be honest I only have it because I have about a bazillion Mystery Science Theater 3000 episodes that will never get released on DVD.

 

[Chad]

I had a DVD burner with RCA inputs at an old job and I used it to convert all of mine. They aren't too expensive, you can get one for under $100.

 

[OGG]

I got an RCA to USB capture stick at Frys for 25 bucks a couple of weeks ago for this very purpose, because I have boxes of old VHS tapes with stuff I want to convert.

It works great, way better than using a VCR/DVD Writer combo, because you can choose your file type, bit rate etc...

Been hacking away at tapes slowly but surely since I got it.

Of course... when I got it home and went to convert my first tape, my old VCR ate the first tape I put into it.

So I had to go back to frys and buy a new VCR.

You should have seen the weird looks I got from customers and staff.

 

[BoomBoomBigelow]

I got an RCA to USB capture stick at Frys for 25 bucks a couple of weeks ago for this very purpose, because I have boxes of old VHS tapes with stuff I want to convert.

It works great, way better than using a VCR/DVD Writer combo, because you can choose your file type, bit rate etc...

Been hacking away at tapes slowly but surely since I got it.

Of course... when I got it home and went to convert my first tape, my old VCR ate the first tape I put into it.

So I had to go back to frys and buy a new VCR.

You should have seen the weird looks I got from customers and staff.

That sounds like the right deal. I just dug an old Sony VCR out of the basement--I thought I had at least 3 down there .

 

[Chad]

I got an RCA to USB capture stick at Frys for 25 bucks a couple of weeks ago for this very purpose, because I have boxes of old VHS tapes with stuff I want to convert.

It works great, way better than using a VCR/DVD Writer combo, because you can choose your file type, bit rate etc...

Been hacking away at tapes slowly but surely since I got it.

Of course... when I got it home and went to convert my first tape, my old VCR ate the first tape I put into it.

So I had to go back to frys and buy a new VCR.

You should have seen the weird looks I got from customers and staff.

That sounds like a cool little gizmo. They didn't have those things when I converted mine. My folks have a bunch of old VHS tapes, I may have to get one of those to convert them.

 

[MonkeyZero]

Anything in my closet on VHS should probably be burned to destroy incriminating evidence. And I'm not talking about bad music playing...

Sent from The Nether