A few years ago, while cleaning out a cabinet, I discovered a stack of old Super 8 tapes. I’ll always remember the joy on my mom’s face when I digitized footage of her late brother Harold Jr.’s wedding. Tragically, he passed away in a car accident just a week after his wedding.
Moments like these are irreplaceable, but when was the last time you watched your old family videos? If they’re on VHS, retrieving them can be a hassle, and with each passing year, those tapes deteriorate a bit more.
Satish from Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, reached out to my national radio show for advice on digitizing old tapes, and I realized he’s not alone.
DIY Conversion
To convert your VHS tapes to digital, you’ll need a VCR or VHS camcorder. If you don’t have one, check platforms like eBay, OfferUp, Facebook Marketplace, or similar local sales sites. You’ll need to transfer the footage in real time, so set aside a few hours.
You have two main options for digitizing:
Option 1: Use a Video Converter
Get a converter like the Elgato model that connects to your computer via USB. Plug the converter into your computer, connect your analog video source (VCR, DVD player, DVR, or camcorder) with the included cables, and follow the instructions provided by the accompanying software to complete the digitization process.
Option 2: Handheld Video-to-Digital Converter
Use a handheld converter that doesn’t require a computer or software. Connect it to your video source, insert a USB drive or SD card into the converter, press the “Record” button, and watch as your footage is digitized in real time on the LCD screen. It’s straightforward and convenient.
Professional Services
If you prefer a professional touch, several stores offer tape conversion services:
- Costco, Walgreens, and Walmart: These stores convert VHS tapes to DVD starting around $20 per tape and also provide a digital copy.
- iMemories: Conversion starts at $29.99 per VHS tape.
- Legacybox: Starts at $60, with the starter pack including up to two tapes or 50 photos. (Check their website for discounts!)
- Capture: Conversion begins at $29.99 per tape.
Take Your Time
Approach this process in manageable steps: gather your tapes, get the necessary equipment, or choose a service. I upload digitized videos to YouTube with private links, making it easy to share with family and friends.
Bonus: Digitizing Old Photos
For photos, try Google’s PhotoScan app, available for iOS and Android. It’s a quick and easy way to digitize prints, whether they’re framed or in albums. The app captures multiple images of the photo, merges them to reduce glare, and improves overall quality.
Here’s how to use PhotoScan:
- Open the app and hold your phone above the photo.
- Tap the capture button to take pictures, which will save to your device.
- Move your phone to align the circle with the four dots shown on the screen.
- After processing, tap the photo thumbnail to rotate, adjust, or delete.
You can then use Google Photos to store, organize, and share your scans. It’s simple and efficient!