Computer Help and Support

Hokie

(4,341 posts)

4. Do them yourself with a good video capture device

Sat Apr 7, 2018, 03:37 PM

Apr 2018

I have digitized about 15 VHS videos using a Hauppauge USB Live 2 video capture device. It sells for around $50 on Amazon.

http://www.hauppauge.co.uk/site/products/data_usblive2.html

It comes with all the software you will need. I put my videos on an external hard drive but you could also burn DVD's, put them on a USB stick, or even upload them to YouTube. You have to be careful not to have any copyrighted music or video. YouTube can detect that and will remove the video.

I would not mess with the cheaper ones. I tried one for $20 and it was junk. It used free software that was awful and the video would not sync (it had the streaks that you used to get with bad VHS tapes). I tried several VHS machines and it would not work with any of them.

The Hauppauge USB-2 Live performed flawlessly using my Hitachi VHS VCR.

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Need advice: Having VHS tapes transferred - do I ask for DVDs or USB? [View all] phylny Apr 2018 OP

Do both?? One for back-up Angry Dragon Apr 2018 #1

That's what I'm thinking, too. phylny Apr 2018 #3

Also have similar situation; help please from anyone with advice. northoftheborder Apr 2018 #2

Do them yourself with a good video capture device Hokie Apr 2018 #4

This is perfect advice - thank you! n/t phylny Apr 2018 #5

You shouldn't Hokie Apr 2018 #6

They will open and play if stored on a usb thumb drive? brush Apr 2018 #7

Yes, on a PC Hokie Apr 2018 #8

My newer TVs will play videos from USB files csziggy Apr 2018 #14

depends, Eko Apr 2018 #9

Another option is YouTube Hokie Apr 2018 #10

Thats a good one Eko Apr 2018 #11

The problem with that Eko Apr 2018 #12

Most of the ones I digitized were the recorded in original VHS format and were copies Hokie Apr 2018 #13

Each time you recode something Eko Apr 2018 #15

Semi-related question. Susan Calvin Apr 2018 #16

You should be able to digitize them the same way Hokie Apr 2018 #17

Thanks! nt Susan Calvin Apr 2018 #18

Commercial video cassettes usually have copy protection. hunter Apr 2018 #19