A really anachronistic question: Analog video/audio (VHS tape) capture... in 2019?

mhardy6647
mhardy6647 Posts: 32,926
edited January 2019 in Going Digital
I'm like a decade or two late, but I just got interested in this topic.
Mrs. H is a very avid birder, and has rediscovered some old commercial VHS videotapes containing birding programs.

We still have a VHS VCR (imagine that?!), so she can watch 'em, but I was thinking it'd be good to get them into the digital domain for the future. These are all fairly obscure tapes that likely aren't available elsewhere today (although I probably should google-search the titles :p ).

At any rate, in 2019, is there still any reasonably inexpensive audio/video digitization/capture hardware/software products available? If I need to go with something used, any suggestions (I have no idea where to start).

Thanks!

Comments

  • JayCee
    JayCee Posts: 1,474
    edited January 2019
    I ordered a USB based video capture device in 2015 and transferred 20 years of family video. Attach VCR to the RCA inputs and USB to computer. Included software was easy to use. Made copies of all files and gave to my family. Looks like it's still available and very easy on the pocket book.
    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00M7T8T1E/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
    618uqAAEy9L._SL1200_.jpg
    Speakers: Polk1.2tl's (Uber Mods) Pre/Amp/DAC: PS Audio BHK Signature & 250, DirectStream Cables/IC's: MIT S1Bi-Wire/S1 Balanced +Avel Lindberg 1000VA "Dreadnought" Power Conditioner: PS Audio P15 Power Plant Power Cords: Core Power Technologies Gold, DH Labs Power Plus DIY w/Neotech NC-P301 & P311ends Streaming: Roon ROCK on wifi'd NUC, TP-Link WAP, & Uptone EtherREGEN, AfterDark, Emperor Double Crown Clock, Black Modernize LPS, PS Audio AirLens⟿Ω☯☥☮⟿🔊♩♪♫♬♩♪♫♬♩♪♫♬
  • vmaxer
    vmaxer Posts: 5,116
    I have some as well that I need to convert.
    Pio Elete Pro 520
    Panamax 5400-EX
    Sunfire TGP 5
    Micro Seiki DD-40 - Lyra-Dorian and Denon DL-160
    PS Audio GCPH phono pre
    Sunfire CG 200 X 5
    Sunfire CG Sig 405 X 5
    OPPO BDP-83 SE
    SDA SRS 1.2TL Sonicaps and Mills
    Ctr CS1000p
    Sur - FX1000 x 4
    SUB - SVS PB2-Plus

    Workkout room:
    Sony Bravia XBR- 32-Inch 1080p
    Onkyo TX-DS898
    GFA 555
    Yamaha DVD-S1800BL/SACD
    Ft - SDA 1C

    Not being used:
    RTi 38's -4
    RT55i's - 2
    RT25i's -2, using other 2 in shop
    LSI 15's
    CSi40
    PSW 404
  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 32,926
    vmaxer wrote: »
    I have some as well that I need to convert.

    This actually makes me feel a little better :)
    JayCee wrote: »
    I ordered a USB based video capture device in 2015 and transferred 20 years of family video. Attach VCR to the RCA inputs and USB to computer. Included software was easy to use. Made copies of all files and gave to my family. Looks like it's still available and very easy on the pocket book.
    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00M7T8T1E/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
    618uqAAEy9L._SL1200_.jpg

    Poifect! Thanks!
  • JayCee
    JayCee Posts: 1,474
    mhardy6647 wrote: »
    Poifect! Thanks!
    Coincidentally, my new daughter-in-law, as of September, texted me yesterday and asked if her mom might borrow mine. DIL and son have been spending quality time watching what I transferred and the new in-laws want to do the same for her. :smiley:
    Speakers: Polk1.2tl's (Uber Mods) Pre/Amp/DAC: PS Audio BHK Signature & 250, DirectStream Cables/IC's: MIT S1Bi-Wire/S1 Balanced +Avel Lindberg 1000VA "Dreadnought" Power Conditioner: PS Audio P15 Power Plant Power Cords: Core Power Technologies Gold, DH Labs Power Plus DIY w/Neotech NC-P301 & P311ends Streaming: Roon ROCK on wifi'd NUC, TP-Link WAP, & Uptone EtherREGEN, AfterDark, Emperor Double Crown Clock, Black Modernize LPS, PS Audio AirLens⟿Ω☯☥☮⟿🔊♩♪♫♬♩♪♫♬♩♪♫♬
  • DarqueKnight
    DarqueKnight Posts: 6,760
    I used this to transfer all my VHS tapes to DVD discs in May 2013:

    vo5tmcl68qol.jpg
    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006GOFW3E/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

    In January 2018 I used MakeMKV to transfer the DVDs to MKV format digital files that are stored on my computers and NAS video server.
    Proud and loyal citizen of the Digital Domain and Solid State Country!
  • adam2434
    adam2434 Posts: 995
    In around '07, I bought a Toshiba DVD player/recorder (stand-alone unit) to convert all of our VHS-C home videos directly to DVDs. No PC was needed - this is the same concept as VHS to VHS copying with 2 VCRs

    Unfortunately, I don't think this type of stand-alone DVD player/recorder is sold anymore. So, the PC/software route is probably the way to go, although it will be a multi-step process if you want the VHS content on DVD.

    5.1 and 2.0 ch Basement Media Room: Outlaw 975/Emotiva DC-1/Rotel RB-1582 MKII/Rotel RB-1552/Audiosource Amp 3/Polk LS90, CS400i, FX500i/Outlaw X-12, LFM-1/JVD DLA-HD250/Da-Lite 100" HCCV/Sony ES BDP/Sonos Connect. DC-1/RB-1582 MKII/Sonos Connect also feed Polk 7C in garage or Dayton IO655 on patio.
    2.1 ch Basement Gym: Denon AVR-2807/Klipsch Forte I or NHT SB2/JBL SUB 550P x 2/Chromecast Audio.
    2.0 ch Living Room: Rotel RX-1052/Emotiva DC-1/Klipsch RF-7 III/Sony ES BDP/LG 65" LED.
    2.0 ch Semi-portable: Klipsch Powergate/NHT SB3/Chromecast Audio.
    Kitchen: Sonos Play5.
  • adam2434
    adam2434 Posts: 995
    Come to think about it...I still have the DVD player/recorder packed away somewhere in the basement.

    You are free to borrow it for as long as you need. It is doing nothing for me packed away...
    5.1 and 2.0 ch Basement Media Room: Outlaw 975/Emotiva DC-1/Rotel RB-1582 MKII/Rotel RB-1552/Audiosource Amp 3/Polk LS90, CS400i, FX500i/Outlaw X-12, LFM-1/JVD DLA-HD250/Da-Lite 100" HCCV/Sony ES BDP/Sonos Connect. DC-1/RB-1582 MKII/Sonos Connect also feed Polk 7C in garage or Dayton IO655 on patio.
    2.1 ch Basement Gym: Denon AVR-2807/Klipsch Forte I or NHT SB2/JBL SUB 550P x 2/Chromecast Audio.
    2.0 ch Living Room: Rotel RX-1052/Emotiva DC-1/Klipsch RF-7 III/Sony ES BDP/LG 65" LED.
    2.0 ch Semi-portable: Klipsch Powergate/NHT SB3/Chromecast Audio.
    Kitchen: Sonos Play5.