Skip to main content

VHS to DVD Converters Review

If you’ve got boxes full of childhood memories on VHS tapes, you could end up losing them all if you don't convert them to a longer-lasting digital format. The magnetic material used in VHS tapes can degrade over time, and data can be irretrievably lost. This also applies to other analog magnetic tape formats such as Video8 and Hi8. Once you transfer your videos to your computer, you can play them from there or burn them to DVDs as DVD-burning software is included with the conversion devices. 
Whether you’re looking to preserve your memories or just transfer over a recording of your favorite show, finding the best VHS to DVD converter can be a tricky. Be sure to check out our reviews for the top VHS to DVD converters, including Diamond Video CaptureRoxio Easy VHS to DVD 3 Plus and the Honestech VHS to DVD 7 Deluxe. Also, be sure to check out our articles about converting your videos to DVD format and more. 

VHS to DVD Converters: What to Look For

With all the different file formats and connection types, choosing among VHS to DVD converters can be confusing. An understanding of the criteria below will help you find the one with the features and options you need.
Features
Not all converters offer the same features. Some things to look for include the ability to capture content from a DVR, compatibility with third-party video-capture software and the ability to record video-game streams from a gaming system such as Xbox. Before you choose a model, make sure it has the right connections for your device and that it’s compatible with your computer.
Most of the software bundled with these devices handle the basics of capture and conversion. For tasks such as editing, you might need a more full-featured software package. In addition, not all converters can get around the copy protection encoded onto some commercial VHS tapes, so check to see if the converter can capture these tapes. Some VHS copyright protection is too strong for even the best converters. Of course, this won’t be a problem with your own recordings.
Capture Format
It’s important that the converter and its included software can capture video in the format you want. Look for converters that support a wide range of file formats, including MPEG1, MPEG2 and MPEG4. These are the standard formats you need to make DVDs and digital copies for computers and mobile devices. In addition, be sure the converter can save the files in NTSC, the format used in the U.S.
Help & Support
If you’re new to video conversion or need product assistance, it’s good to have competent help sources available. Instruction booklets and online instructions are useful, but email or phone can be even better if you have a specific question to which you can’t find an answer. Many converters come with only minimal instructions and support, so if you think you’ll need a lot of assistance, look for one that offers free phone or email support.
Saving your memories and favorite shows can be quite satisfying, and the peace of mind that you get by preserving them is priceless. Be sure to use the criteria above to find the best VHS to DVD converter that meets your needs, and enjoy reliving your favorite memories on DVD.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

The iPhone 5s Review

For much of the iPhone's life Apple has enjoyed a first-mover advantage. At the launch of the first iPhone, Steve Jobs expected the device and OS would give it a multi-year head start over the competition. Indeed that's how the market played out. Although Android was met with some early success, it wasn't until well after the launch of the first Android devices that we started seeing broad, mainstream acceptance of the platform. The iPhone bought Apple time, and together with the iPad it brought Apple a tremendous amount of profit over the years. The trick of course is turning a first-mover advantage into an indefinitely dominant market position, a difficult task when you're only making one device a year. Today we find Apple in a very different position. The iPhone is still loved by a very loyal customer base, but the competition is much stronger than it was back in 2007. The modern smartphone market has also evolved. When Apple introduced...

BEST BLUETOOTH MOUSE REVIEW

Why Buy a Bluetooth Mouse? The top performers in our review are the  Logitech MX Master , the Gold Award winner; the  Microsoft Sculpt Touch , the Silver Award winner; and the  Logitech Ultrathin T630 , the Bronze Award winner. Here's more on choosing a Bluetooth mouse to meet your needs, along with detail on how we arrived at our ranking of 10 Bluetooth mice . A computer mouse is an often-overlooked tool. You don't tend to think about it until it stops working or the cursor stops responding effectively to your movements. Your mouse is a digital extension of your hand within your computer. It allows you to grab, drop, draw, outline, cut, copy and paste. Your mouse can be as simple as a single-blade pocketknife or as complex as a deluxe Swiss army knife. It's a critical tool that allows you to optimize your digital efficiency. Without one, you won't get very far. A Bluetooth mouse is functionally no different from a typical mouse except that it has no wire...

ACER PREDATOR 17

Acer Predator 17 (7700HQ, GTX 1070, UHD) Laptop ReviewFlorian Glaser ,  Gaming   Geforce   Kaby Lake   Notebook   Windows 4K Gaming.  The Acer Predator series stands for classical gaming notebooks, which – in contrast to some of their slim siblings – are purely trimmed for performance. After we tested the Skylake version of the Predator 17 in September of 2016, now the Kaby-Lake model, which is similarly built on the outside, must prove itself. Anyone looking for a powerful high-end notebook that offers more power than a  GeForce GTX 1050 Ti  ( Aspire VX5-591G ) or  GeForce GTX 1060  ( Aspire VN7-593G ) will find it in the Predator series. Starting at 2000 Euros (~$2238), the massive gaming giants are either equipped with a  GeForce GTX 1070  (Predator 17) or the front-runner from Nvidia's Pascal-generation, the  GeForce GTX 1080  ( Predator 17 X ), which promises sufficient performance fo...