Do you have old VHS tapes that are becoming damaged or scratched? If so, there is still hope for you. VHS tapes still preserve your favorite videos on clear plastic tape that eventually deteriorates and loses video quality; however, with modern technology, you will surely sleep better knowing your valuable family memories are still preserved digitally. Today, there is a huge selection of modern devices that use VHS technology to capture your memories digitally. If you’re wondering if you should invest in a new VHS tape or a USB video capture unit, here are a few things to consider when choosing to convert VHS to digital.

Arranging VHS to Digital

How often do you want to use your recording device? The more frequently you plan on using it, the better quality the tape or digital recording device you should buy. VHS tapes, though less expensive than DVD recording devices, are still much more expensive than the average iPod or other portable media players. If you’re planning on making multiple recordings on a regular basis, it would be best to purchase a multi-purpose VHS recorder. If you only need one recording on a regular basis, then you might want to settle for an easy to use digital recorder.

Is your VHS recorder compatible with computers and Macs? There are some newer computers that are designed to read VHS tapes. If yours does not currently support this function, then you may want to upgrade it before you spend the money on the more expensive video converters. Converting your old tapes to digital can be quite a complicated process, especially if you do not have a lot of experience.

Do you plan to store the videos in your computer or on a DVD? Even if you plan to store the VHS tapes in your computer, there is still a good chance that they will get damaged. Digital video discs use far less technology than the old VHS machines, but they still have their problems. Unless you have a DVD burner, it would be impossible to save your family memories to your computer or DVD. Even if you had a DVD burner, chances are that it would not work properly if the tapes were stored on your computer.

Using A Converter

How many people will be using your VHS to digital format machine? You will likely need several decks in order to record and convert all of your memories. If each person only wants to record one or two videos, then it might be more cost effective to just purchase a single VHS tape deck instead of converting vhs tapes. Converting the tapes to video can quickly become a very large expense, especially if you plan on using several decks.

Summary

When is your VHS to digital format equipment due for a replacement? When your equipment finally gives up the ghost or stops working, it will be time to purchase a new machine. It will be much cheaper to convert your old tapes to video than it will be to buy a new machine. There are many vendors out there who will sell you an entire new video deck for a small fraction of the cost of what you would spend on a new computer or DVD burner. Converting vhs tapes to digital format is a very easy process, but it does require some know how.