Convert VHS to DVD Before It's Too Late!
Remember that box of old VHS tapes sitting in your closet? Family vacations, childhood memories, weddings, birthday parties—or maybe even a questionable performance in a commercial from 1995?
Those memories are worth preserving!
Unfortunately, magnetic videotape doesn't last forever. Temperature fluctuations, humidity, normal wear and tear, and aging materials can gradually degrade your tapes. Every time you play an old tape, you also risk adding a little more wear.
The best time to preserve those memories is before your tapes become unplayable.
In this video, I team up with my buddy Joe from the Boston music scene to demonstrate three ways to convert VHS tapes to DVD. Joe plays in Joe Greaney & The Chasers, and he was awesome enough to let me feature one of his old VHS tapes.
But this wasn't just any old tape. It was a 1995 commercial that yours truly starred in!
A Little Trip Down Memory Lane
Before we get into the technology, let's talk about that commercial.
Back in 1995, Joe and I appeared in a commercial for First NH Bank. If you're wondering what happened to us after our brief moment of fame, well, Joe is still rocking out, and I'm making YouTube videos.
We go way back. In middle school and high school, we played in a garage band called Unauthorized Use. This was my first YouTube collaboration video, and it was a blast revisiting an old memory with an old friend.
The commercial even has an official production record:
Client: First NH Bank
Title: “Team Effort”
Date: July 12, 1995
Length: 30 seconds
And yes, there was a fake father pushing me on a swing set for what felt like 50 takes. Some childhood memories never leave you!
Now, let's save those tapes before they become another piece of forgotten technology.
Three Ways to Convert VHS to DVD
There are three main approaches to consider. The first is the simplest do-it-yourself option, the second lets someone else handle the conversion, and the third is for people who are comfortable working with computers.
Method 1: Use a VHS/DVD Recorder
Best for: People who want a straightforward do-it-yourself solution.
A VHS/DVD recorder combines a VCR and a DVD recorder in one machine. Some models offer one-touch dubbing, making the process remarkably simple.
Here's the basic process:
Insert your VHS tape into the VCR.
Insert a blank, compatible DVD.
Start the dubbing process.
Let the machine transfer the recording.
That's it! No computer, capture software, external converter, or video-editing skills required.
In my video, I discuss the Sony RDR-VXD655, which offered a one-touch dubbing feature. Unfortunately, VHS/DVD recorders are now legacy technology, and finding a working machine can be challenging. If you go this route, check the condition of the VCR mechanism, DVD recorder, and available connections before buying.
My take: If you can find a suitable, working recorder, this is probably the easiest method for converting tapes yourself.
Method 2: Use a Mail-In Conversion Service
Best for: People who don't want to deal with equipment or software.
You can also send your tapes to a professional conversion service. Depending on the service and package, you may receive DVDs, digital downloads, or files on physical media.
Two services mentioned in my original video were:
Check each provider's current offerings, pricing, turnaround time, shipping requirements, and return policies before sending anything.
These services are convenient, especially if you have a large collection. However, you're trusting someone else with your original recordings, so consider making an inventory of the tapes and choosing a service with clear handling and return procedures.
My take: If you have a pile of tapes and don't want to become a video-transfer technician, paying someone to do the work may be worth it.
Method 3: Use a Computer and a Video Capture Device
Best for: People who are comfortable with computers and want more control over the results.
The third option is to connect a VCR to a computer using a compatible video capture device.
In my original video, I mentioned products such as:
These are historical examples from the video, not current buying recommendations. Check operating-system compatibility, driver support, software availability, and connection requirements before purchasing any capture hardware today.
With this method, you'll need to think about a few things:
Storage: Video files can consume considerable disk space.
Software: You'll need compatible capture software and possibly DVD-authoring software.
Connections: Your VCR and capture device must support compatible video and audio connections.
File management: You'll need to organize the captured videos and back them up.
Time: Transferring an entire tape takes time, and troubleshooting can add more.
The advantage is flexibility. You can preserve recordings as digital files, edit them, organize them, and create DVDs if you have compatible software and a DVD writer.
My take: This can be a great option for tech-savvy users, but it isn't necessarily the easiest or cheapest approach once you account for the equipment and time involved.
A Note About Copyright Protection
These methods are intended for preserving home videos and other recordings you have the right to copy.
Commercial VHS tapes, such as store-bought movies, may use copy protection that prevents ordinary transfer methods from working. Don't assume that a device that works with a family recording will also work with a commercial movie.
Don't Wait Until It's Too Late
Whether you choose a VHS/DVD recorder, a professional conversion service, or a computer-based capture setup, the important thing is to preserve the recordings that matter to you.
Your old tapes may contain memories you can't replace. Once they're gone, they're gone.
And if you happen to find a box of old tapes featuring you as a child actor, well, you might even get a few laughs out of the process.
Thanks for Watching!
A huge thanks to Joe for joining me for my first YouTube collaboration. Check out Joe Greaney & The Chasers if you're in the Boston area and enjoy live music.
If you have a good idea for another collaboration video, leave a comment or send me a message. I'd love to hear your ideas!
And remember: preserve those memories before it's too late.
— BigNate84
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