The 7 Best VHS to DVD Converter to Transfer Old Tapes [2021]
If you are looking for the Best in the market. You have come to the right place.
Read this review completely and we will help you make the best buying choice today.
The Best Reviewed
Almost anyone who lived through the ’90s has a box of VHS tapes stored somewhere. Whether these contain reruns of your favorite TV show or precious family memories, odds are they’re just gathering dust in your attic or basement.
If you’re looking to relive your cherished family memories, or are just looking to save on buying yet another of Top Gun, getting a can help you preserve the contents of these tapes, without taking up nearly as much space.
Transferring to not only allows you to compact your storage space, but it also allows you to transfer those videos, , and to your computer or the cloud, allowing you to back them up against any disasters, ensuring those memories will be able to be enjoyed for years to come.
While it may seem daunting to transfer your tapes onto DVDs, thankfully there are plenty of options on the market to make this process easier than ever. Not only do these devices allow you to ensure your videos last for years to come, but the digitization process is also relatively painless and easy to do.
Of course, there are a few things you’ll need to consider before purchasing a . The first is the software needed for the project.
Obviously, many converters come with their own software to make it easier than ever to transfer your videos to a , but you should also keep in mind that some software programs allow you to edit the videos or add transitions, allowing you to cut out things like commercials from your favorite TV recordings, or leave out weird Great Uncle Bob’s drunk wedding toast.
If you’re looking to just change formats without any of these features, you can invest in a simpler VHS to but keep these things in mind before making your purchases.
Depending on what kind of you’re looking to transfer, you may be up against some copy protection features that make transferring the next to impossible. If this is the case, you’ll need to invest in a converter that can work around these protections, so you can successfully back up these files.
Thankfully, if you’re just dealing with home movies you shouldn’t have to worry too much about these added precautions, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
Finally, you want to check the output of the converter before starting the process. This can influence things like pixelation and quality, as well as conversion speed.
If you’re looking to convert one or two VHS tapes this might not be that much of an issue, but if you find yourself staring down your entire Star Trek collection, you may want to invest in a faster converter that can maintain the same quality throughout.
Best VHS to DVD Converters
Now that we’ve gone ahead and given you the basics of what to look for in a converter, here are our top 7 picks for the best available on the market.
We’ve taken several factors into consideration, including the ease of use, quality of the product, overall price, customer reviews, and quality, so you can shop with confidence knowing you’re getting the best of the best. Without further ago, here are the top 7 on the market today.
1. Elgato VHS to
If you’re looking to convert to a , this is an incredibly easy method that will help you transform your treasured recordings into a high-quality that can then be burned to or stored on your Mac, PC, or iPad, depending on your preference. The Elgato Video Capture - Digitize Video for Mac, PC or iPad (USB 2.0) is the best buying choice.
This handy device is not only compact and easy to use, but it also comes with that will make cleaning up your home videos easier than ever. On top of the helpful hints provided by the program itself, this converter helps you prep your videos for editing in other editing programs, making it ideal for any compilations you may have in mind for the future.
This device captures videos in H.264 , making it perfect for uploading projects to YouTube or other platforms. Not only can it handle NTSC, SECAM, PAL, and PAL/60 videos, it boasts a resolution of 640×480 (4:3) and 640×360 (16:9), giving you more capture options.
The real upside of this converter is how easy it is to use. This product works using USB 2.0, allowing it to work with most iPads, Macs, and Windows devices, depending on the versions and current updates.
Thanks to the four-input system, you can easily transfer from your VHS tapes using a regular , making it that much easier to keep all your videos in one location. This product is an incredible deal and boasts over 4,000 customer reviews which are overwhelmingly positive.
One customer noted that the average cost of getting your VHS tapes converted through an online service is $20 a pop, meaning this handy device will save you money in the long run.
It is worth noting some customers did mention this product was a little tricky to get to work with Windows 10, so be sure to keep that in mind before investing. Still, this is an incredible VHS to that will preserve your home videos without causing you undue frustration.
2. VIDBOX VHS to Suite
The first selling point of this product is that it works for both Mac and Windows devices, making it ideal for almost any digitization situation.
The VIDBOX Video Conversion Suite (2020) comes with a USB , USB cable, RCA cables, software installation CD, and a quick start guide, to help you get everything you need to convert your tapes in one convenient location. It is worth noting that you will need your own to complete the digitization process, but overall this product is a dream for .
This product can handle resolutions of 720×480 and 640×480 and can output as , MPEG-2, MP4, and MOV , giving you plenty of options to choose from. It supports NTSC, PAL, and SECAM formats, and offers you instructions in English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish.
Not only does this incredible product offer support for countless formats, but it also comes with the software you need to transfer your favorite tapes into new formats perfect for sharing on social media or saving for enjoyment by future generations.
Customers raved about how easy it was to transfer their tapes over with this device, and while some did note it took a bit of time to transfer over each tape, the end results were well worth the added wait time. If you’re looking for a great way to easily transfer your home movies to your computer or share them with loved ones, this is a great product for you.
3. UCEC USB 2.0 Capture Card Device Adapter TV to
Let’s start off by saying the UCEC USB 2.0 Video Audio Capture Card Device Adapter VHS VCR TV to DVD Converter Support Win 2000/Win Xp/Win Vista/Win 7/Win 8/Win 10 is probably the most compact on our list. By connecting the directly to a 2.0 device, you can easily do the for your videos to your computer in just a few simple steps.
This product comes with easy-to-use software to help ensure your VHS tapes don’t lose any quality during conversion, allowing you to convert your videos with confidence knowing you won’t lose any treasured memories.
This product supports NTSC/PAL formats, as well as high-quality resolutions of 720×480 at 30 FPS for NTSC, and 720×576 at 25 FPS for PAL. With input formats including +/-R/RW, +/=VR, and –, as well as output formats including DV, AVI, MPEG, WMV, VCD, and , this is your one-stop-shop for all things to burn to your .
With over 500 customer reviews, this is one of the best compact Amazon has on the market. Customers did note this product worked better with Windows systems before Windows 10 but could run on Windows 10 with a little extra effort.
Some reviewers noted that the USB unit may start to overheat if used with an incredibly warm computer, so it was best to ensure good airflow during use. Still, if you’re looking for a great product that streamlines the process, the UCEU 2.0 Capture Card Device Adapter is a great choice for you.
4. ClearClick to 2.0
If you’re looking to skip the jump to entirely, this is the converter for you. The ClearClick Video to Digital Converter 2.0 (Second Generation) - Record Video from VCR's, VHS Tapes, AV, RCA, Hi8, Camcorder, DVD, Gaming Systems allows you to convert RCA inputs into digital easily without the use of a computer. By recording your directly to an or , this product allows you to skip the hassle of working with a and instead go straight to a .
Not only does this product work with tapes, but it can also work on cassette tapes, retro gaming systems, DVDs, DVRs, and more, making it an incredible option for anyone looking to make the jump to digital. The included preview screen helps you monitor your quality while you record, and also allow you to easily pause, increase volume, and more from the easy-to-use control menu.
As a bonus, this product has an auto shut off feature that will stop recording at set time intervals, allowing you to leave it running knowing you won’t exceed your memory space. This makes it ideal for recording your favorite shows for later or setting to convert videos while you sleep, without worrying about wasting energy or ending early.
This product comes with a yearlong warranty, making it a great investment for everyone from those looking to save their to YouTubers looking to record retro let’s plays.
Customers did note that USB3 drives may cause recording problems, so you may have to switch to SD recordings. Still, this product is an exceptional VHS to digital conversion option for anyone looking to make the jump to digital.
5. DIGITNOW Converter: Transfer VHS to
If we handed out awards for top transfer VHS to , the DIGITNOW USB 2.0 Video Capture Card Device Converter, Easy to Use Capture, Edit and Save Analog Video to Digital Files for Your Mac OS X or Windows 7 8 10 PC, One Touch VHS VCR TV to DVD would be in the running for “coolest design.” This sleek little device allows you to transfer and tape from almost any source.
You read that right; whether you’re looking to capture VHS, , Hi8, , or TV Box inputs, this device does it all and gives you the added bonus of working on both Windows and Mac devices.
By capturing in H.264 , this device allows you to use your new and pretty much anywhere, whether you’re looking to work on things in movie maker, or are ready to upload a new YouTube .
This device works with NTSC, SECAM, PAL, and PAL/60 , and can also convert LPs and cassettes to CD and MP3 , making it great for converting your classic playlists to digital. One of the best upsides to this is the added software that is not only easy to use, it offers you the tools you need to edit your videos.
This allows you to reduce background noise, stabilize shaky cam, fix color issues, and even add transition effects, allowing you to get professional-quality videos at the click of a button. If you’re looking for an easy way to get the most out of your , this is the right capture converter for you.
6. UCEC USB 2.0 Card Device, TV to for Mac
If it’s , the UCEC USB 2.0 Video Capture Card Device, VHS VCR TV to DVD Converter for Mac OS X PC Windows 7 8 10 can convert it. This product doesn’t care if you’re working with Windows or Mac, this easy-to-use allows you to capture your favorite family memories in the universal H.264 , allowing you to transfer videos to your iPad, or almost any movie maker software available.
This converter gives you the option of working with a and burner or other products to change your into modern formats or keep them as a safe from deterioration and decay.
This is one of the easier converters on our list, with a convenient software disc to help you get the program up and running, and an extended cable to make it easier than ever to transfer your videos to a .
One of the biggest upsides of this product is the 24-hour online technical support to help walk you through the process, so you don’t have to worry about the ins and outs of . If you’re looking for a simple solution to all those piled up in your home, this is the device for you, hands down.
7. VHS To Digital , USB2.0 / Grabber Adapter Device
The VHS To Digital DVD Converter, USB2.0 Audio/video Capture Grabber Adapter Device,Transfer VCR TV Hi8 Game S video to DVD,Support Windows 10/8.1/8/7/Vista/XP takes the ideal of plug-and-play to heart. Made to work with and S- outputs, and usable with all Windows systems, this converter allows you to convert NTSC and PAL into a
This product doesn’t restrict you to just tapes, either. You can also convert Hi-8 and V8 , , home movies, and easily burn them to for compact storage. While it is worth noting you may need an additional to use this device depending on your , this product contains all the basic tools you need to preserve your favorite tapes for later use.
With and MPEG2 formats available, this product is a good baseline product to help walk you through the process. And if you’re having any issues with this product, they offer phone support to help walk you through the steps without any frustration.
While this may not be the fanciest converter on our list, this product makes preserving family memories and your favorite movies easier than ever, making it an excellent investment in the long run.
Frequently Asked Questions About VHS to
Do I Need iMovie or Another Program to Convert VHS Tapes?
In short, every program on our list offers the software you need to easily convert your tapes into digital formats. The only time you may need additional software (or hardware) is if you are looking to burn a or are looking to edit your home videos.
In many cases, these products come with their own simple which is fine for home videos. However, if you are looking for professional-quality effects, you may want to invest in another .
Do VHS to Come with VCRs?
The easy answer is no, most converters require that you have your own or other input source in order to play the tape.
Thankfully, this means that most converters are able to work with anything that uses RCA cables, though there are some exceptions with each product that is worth looking into. It is not rocket science like converting such as , , and tape (Old Japanese Sony Release back in the 1970s).
On the bright side, if your has bit the dust or you are looking for a replacement unit, you can usually find a used at thrift stores or cheaply online.
How Does a Work?
Sure you may know how to play a , and maybe a master of “be kind rewind,” but do you know how the works? If you’re interested in the incredible feat of engineering required to play a , check out this below:
If you are using an old , , , and with and , then you are in the stone age. You need to upgrade those , old , and old to more modern to save keep your memories.
How to convert VHS to ?
These are the steps to convert VHS to .
1. Buy an Analog to digital adapter with software such as Elgato VHS to or similar
2. Install the software into your computer or laptop.
3. Connect to your computer and create a of the .
4. Burn this to a or transfer it to a USB or or .
How to transfer VHS to ?
There are 3 ways to recommend to transfer VHS to .
1. The Easy Way: Find a Service That Does It for You. You can search “VHS to service near me.” They offer VHS conversion service at a price. These local retailers provide this service such as Costco, CVS, Walmart, and Target. They also digitize old film reels, , photographs, and slides, not to mention , 8MM, , , and other kinds of .
2. The Direct, At-Home Way: You can grab a separate that plugs into your with analog cables, but I recommend using a / combo unit if you don’t have one already. These are becoming rarer in stores, but you can possibly find these on eBay or Amazon.
3. The Custom Way: Connect a to Your PC VHS to software converter with our recommended reviewed Devices
- Elgato Adapter
- VIDBOX Suite
- UCEC USB 2.0 TV to
- Download Your Recording Program
- Prepare Software for Recording
- Change Recording
- Start Recording
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