VHS started dying in about mid-2005. The last movie released in VHS was back in 2006. And ever since then manufacturing of VHS players has also halted. You might find someone selling VHS players on eBay, those are the living fossils of the 20th century. Even if they are still functioning, it’ll be a mission impossible that adapts to the outlets of the player.
It’s a given that you have many memories of your grandpa or your predecessor stuck in a VHS. The best VHS to DVD converter can be your trusty pawn in retrieving those memories. Since these are a decade old technology a veteran might have a hard time recognizing the best let alone a millennial.
The Best Vhs to DVD Converters Review
With old videos starting to deteriorate and functional VCR machines becoming tougher to find, it’s high time you sustain these century-old tapes. When it comes to VHS to DVD converters, there are various options to pick from. Here are some of the best converters of the market listed below to make the pursual easy for you.
1. Diamond VC500 USB 2.0 One Touch VHS to DVD Video Capture Device
Benefits
Diamond VC500 VHS to DVD converter introduces you to the simplest way of converting VHS tapes Hi8, and V8 cameras to digital format. You just need only one touch to capture the videos or audios from almost every device such as VCR, camcorder, DVD player, or devices supporting video data through S-video or RCA connection.
The Cyberlink Software does editing smoothly, creates DVDs, and makes it possible to capture valuable moments for the generations ahead. It also provides the opportunity to edit, add titles, music, menus anything you need before burning to DVD. It saves you from the cost of transfer devices.
This video capture can convert files instantly and show it beautifully on screen. Youtube videos can be personalized easily by this device with editings, transition effects, and other changes you want to bring.
By transferring them to DVD and other digital formats like AVI, MPEG2, MPEG4, and for audios MP3, this device can maintain and protect the memories or records in digital format. It is suitable for Windows 10, 8.1, 8, and 7. Therefore, it grants you with the benefit of sharing precious moments on any Social Media.
It is provided with USA technical support. This converter is easy to install. It only takes 8 minutes to burn a new DVD that’s the fastest of all converters lately. You can also eliminate footages, increase the quality of images or videos. You can save videos for doing adjustments later.
Pitfalls
- The software doesn’t assist with MACs.
- HD videos are not supported by this device.
- It is comparatively difficult to load to Windows 10.
2. VIDBOX VHS to DVD 8.0 Deluxe
Benefits
VIDBOX VHS to DVD converter features pc and mac compatibility. The Audio Recorder software allows recording audios from chronic cassettes and LP records to build WMA documents or audio CDs. This converter functions up to 1080p HD videos.
The Photo DVD helps to create photo slideshows by converting photos or videos into slideshow DVDs or movie documents with available themes. This device provides everything you need to capture and alter your videos to digital format.
It can bring back all your precious moments from old VHS, Betamax, and camcorder files in digital forms. It is not only suitable for professionals but also for noobs. You can add background music, take still images of moving scenes. It can be operated in Windows 10,8,7, Vista.
The advanced mode allows capturing videos from analog or HDV/DV camcorder, VCR or DVD player, etc. This feature enables to delete scenes that are not wanted, put transition effects, add menus before burning to DVDs, convert video formats for iPhone, iPad, or any android devices.
The wizard mode of this device helps to transfer videos to DVD with just one click. It has US-based live support. You can easily share videos on youtube or Facebook with this device.
Pitfalls
- Mac’s requirements are quite high.
- It needs a PC and a VHS player.
3. Roxio Easy VHS to DVD Burning and Video Capture for Mac
Benefits
With the Intel-based Mac operating system, Roxio easy VHS to DVD Burning and Video capture is a multi-purpose device. It allows users to either burn the captured videos to a DVD or transfer the file to a PC. It is an excellent choice to digitize and protect memories on outdated media.
This software captures videos and burns it to DVDs simultaneously. It can capture videos from VCRs and straightly from any other analog source such as Hi8, Video8 camcorders. So, it helps to preserve precious moments in digital format. It saves time and can transfer footage from VCR to DVD in just a few clicks.
Your own videos can be made into VCD, SVCD, and DVD movies easily. It provides you with the opportunity to personalize and flair your content as you like. Moreover, it increases DVD quality. It is possible to add music, titles, special effects as well as to eliminate the unwanted videos by importing into iMovie.
You can choose from your professional organized menu styles to improve your created DVD. This device grants you to share videos on social media. With this device, video files can be played on most known mobile devices including iPod, iPhone, and Sony PSP.
Pitfalls
- You can export converted videos in only three video formats.
- It provides only seven options for playing files on mobile devices.
4. ClearClick VHS To DVD Wizard with USB Video Grabber & Free USA Tech Support
Benefits
This ClearClick VHS to DVD Wizard includes USB Video Grabber. It directly converts analog files or old memories of VSR to digital format. With this device, it’s possible to save the family moments as masterpieces. The software will be installed on your PC automatically.
The product comes with a VHS2DVD Wizard software, USB Video Capture Device, RCA Video Cable, and User’s Manual. Once files are transferred to your computer, you can edit, do changes by adding effects or any settings, remove commercials, bloopers, trailers, etc.
You can burn to DVDs after editing or right away. It saves you from the need of storing the files on your hard disk. Direct2DVD(TM) Feature transfers files directly to DVD. It has USA-Based Tech Support. Instructions are provided in the manual that makes it easy to set the software.
It is supported by Windows 10, 7, 8 and Vista. It’s just a matter of a click and that will do the work for you. Copy-protected tapes don’t affect the converter. There’s no limit to a time it will record.
Pitfalls
- The converter needs a VHS player.
- The wizard software is quite buggy.
5. LG VHS to DVD Recorder VCR Combo w/ Remote, HDMI
Benefits
LG VHS to DVD recorder is known for its simplicity. It is constructed to transfer your VHS files to DVD with only a push on a button. It saves your money from buying any extra transfer device or giving it to any transfer lab to save your memories.
You can easily convert your cherished videos to digital format or burn it to DVDs at home. A digital multi-channel connection delivers good sound quality. The product comes in a package including remote, manual, HDMI, and AV cable.
HDMI that is the short form of High Definition Multimedia Interface allows both audio and video on a single digital connection. This connection is for use with DVD Players, Set-Top Boxes, and any other AV devices. It supports standard, increased, qualified videos.
You can play the MP3, WMA or JPEG files stored in the USB Flash Drive. The device includes blank DVDs. You don’t have to hassle for it. It doesn’t take time to start recordings.
Pitfalls
- The interface of finalizing the DVD is gauche.
- The picture quality is not up to the mark.
The Best Vhs to Digital Converter for PC
6. Elgato Video Capture – Digitize Video for Mac, PC or iPad
Benefits
For the latest operating systems, Elgato Video capture can provide several applications. By this, you can either choose to watch the video while it’s being transferred or you can only watch it. It converts videos as high-quality H.264 digital files.
This device allows you to transfer footage to Mac, or PC from your VCR, DVR, camcorder, or any other analog devices that have combined RCA or S-Video output. It provides a SCART adaptor. You can add your precious home memories to iTunes or Windows media player library.
This software enables your videos to sync with the iPad, iPhone, to do edits in iMovie, Windows Live Movie Maker, and to share on youtube. It provides video editing software to make changes to the files according to your wish. You can easily trim your videos and remove the unwanted parts.
This video capture is easy to use. It will help you in every step from the start to end. Also, you will love that it is capable of managing NTSC, SECAM, PAL, and PAL/60 video. It can provide video quality with a resolution of 640 x 430 that is 4:3 or 640 x 360 that is 16:9.
Pitfalls
- This VHS to DVD converter machine only supports Windows 7 and higher versions
- Windows users have to adjust the camera access settings of their PCs
7. DIGITNOW Video Capture Converter, Capture Analog Video to Digital for Your Mac or Windows 10 PC, iPad and iPhone, VHS to DVD
Benefits
DIGITNOW Video Capture Converter is a direct software process. It includes USB 2.0 Plug-and-Play video devices. It is considered as the most time and space-saving feature. You can capture videos straight to the PC. These videos can be divided into multiple DVDs for storage. It can manage NTSC, SECAM, PAL, and PAL/60 video.
It can store videos in polished CDs from various sources. This device provides USB Grabber with a component that enables us to capture videos from any kind of home A/V devices such as VHS, VCR, Hi8, DVD, and TV BOX or other analog sources.
The device turns files into high-quality H.264 digital files. It is possible to link the videos to the iPad, iPhone, edit in iMovie, Windows Live Movie Maker, and share on social media with your family and friends.
This converter can convert LPs and audio cassettes to CD or MP3 format. You don’t have to add title, artist and genre information as the device will automatically do that for you. It includes professionally classified tools to reduce noise, stabilize shaky videos, correct colors, add transition effects, and so on.
Pitfalls
- This device needs much effort to work straight.
- You need to adjust the sound settings manually.
Aspects You Need to Know for the Best VHS to DVD Converter
Reviews may not be perceivable if you are not introduced to the aspects of being a good VHS to DVD converter. This primary knowledge will help you to kick-off in the emulative market of the device. Thus, here the necessary details are highlighted that can make a converter unique from the others.
Software
Most of the converters provide their own specialized software to edit videos or remove unwanted footage. There is a software like The Cyberlink Software, VHS2DVD Wizard software. The more basic converters may not come with dedicated software. In that case with this VHS to DVD converter machine, a free program on the internet named Audacity can help you well.
Capture Ability
To convert VHS files to DVDs first the device has to capture the videos. It should have the ability to capture from different analog devices. Analog sources generally include VCR, DVR, Hi8, camcorders, high-end big inches TV BOX, etc. Check if the converter can capture from these sources and convert them into digital format.
Customization
H.264 digital files are highly qualified if converted. The more the device can enable changes to the captured files, the higher will be the preference of the burnt DVD. It should be supported by Windows and mac if needed. The ability to sync with the iPad, iPhone, and Android devices makes the converter worthy.
Copy-protection
Many commercial VHS files come with a feature that has a defense in place against copying. It is not possible to transfer videos to a DVD if a converter cannot outdraw this limitation. So, it’s more reliable to select a model that doesn’t have this feature if you want to get files that aren’t available on DVD.
Output
A good converter should successfully digitize an old VHS tape and preserve the same quality of audios and videos. It should also take less time to show output.
Resolution
The output video quality will be high if it contains the actual or double pixel size as the source video. If your analog video is of 320 x 240, the settings of the output software should be 640 x 480.
Time
The less time it would take to burn DVDs, the sooner you’ll get the output files. The converters may take from 8 to 40 minutes to burn a 45 minutes VHS tape to a new DVD. The rate should be relatively fast.
FAQ
Q: What is the bitrate for recording a VHS file with a DVD?
Ans: DVDs generally support 10 megabits per second. But that’s not suitable for VHS tapes. For a VHS tape, a DVD can support 4 megabits per second.
Q: What is the duration of VHS tapes?
Ans: It is better to burn to DVDs as soon as possible. According to ScanCafe, a company providing photo and video converting services, VHS tapes start to degrade after 10 to 25 years. But this duration may be less or more as tapes left in humid or extremely cold places degrade soon.
Q: How many videos can a VHS tape carry?
Ans: A VHS cassette can bear a maximum 430m length of tapes with the lowest considerable amount of tape thickness, delivering a maximal playing hour of four hours in a T-240/DF480 for NTSC and five hours in an E-300 for PAL at SP quality that is known as standard paly.
Final Words
Family videos, old memories are a reminder of our happy days and golden past. Thanks to technological successes, these moments will not just fade away with the deteriorating VHS tapes. To save our beautiful journeys, it’s worthy to invest for the best VHS to DVD converter.
Diamond VC500 Video Capture device is a good option if you want your device to be super-fast with built-in software for Windows. Roxio Easy Video Capture is preferable for high operating systems. You can consider DIGITNOW Video Capture Converter as it provides excellent customizations and features to enhance the DVDs.
However, it’s up to you which amenities you need the most. Focus on the output, customization, software mostly. Compare the features with what you have. Once you get the best VHS to DVD converter for you, you can adore the moments for generations.
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