How to transfer video from a Digital8 or MiniDV camcorder to a computer running a Windows operating system
Tapes that have been digitized on a thumb drive or as a digital download from the cloud are saved as MPEG-4 files. Legacy Box offers complimentary splicing if a tape’s film is broken. If you are short on time or want to leave it to the pros, there are a number of mail-in services that will digitize your VHS tapes for you. These are some companies that we recommend for the service. Most converters come with downloadable software to process the transfer. Before you begin the process you will want to make sure that you’ve installed that on your computer. Once the software is installed in your computer you are ready to begin.
With alternatives dwindling, the best way to preserve old camcorder videos, exclusive of having it done professionally, is enlisting the aid of your PC. The upload quality depends on how much RAM is on your PC, the processor, and the hard drive speed. Also, think of the convenience of having an 8mm cassette viewer. You get to directly play your 8mm tapes to TV just like you would with a VHS VCR. Get this player if you have a mix of Video8, Hi8 and Digital8 8mm video cassettes. Feel free to read the reviews before committing to an 8mm video cassette player purchase.
So, before you go out and buy a Firewire-to-USB adapter check with your camcorder manual if such a connection is permitted. In a dark room, set the projector and video camera up next to each other. Project the film evenly onto the wall or screen, then adjust the viewfinder in your digital camera so that the image being projected fills the whole view. Then press Play on the projector and Record on the camera to capture your footage.
Converting your old home VHS tapes into digital files may feel like a never ending project, especially if you’ve got decades of memories stored in the aging format. The process isn’t quite as straightforward as digitizing photographs or negatives and it can be difficult to track down a VCR to even play the tapes, let alone convert them. The VHS format wasn’t intended to be archival, and chances are your old home movies are already starting to degrade. However, once you convert VHS to digital, you can then use one the best free video editing software to clean up and share your videos with friends and family. DIY requires technical knowledge, editing skills, time, and proper gear, such as old players and camcorders, video capture devices, and software, among other auxiliary equipment. On the other hand, professional services save you from technical mistakes , buying old players and camcorders. After you save your converted videos to digital files, make sure they’re a part of your computer’s regular backup or put a copy of them in a cloud service like Dropbox or OneDrive.
How to digitize VHS tapes at home
Like the others, the Elgato package includes software that lets you save video from VHS to DVD or your hard drive. Aside from the ability to trim the beginning and end of the video, though, there are no editing capabilities here. You also get all the cables you need—both USB and RCA analog audio. (If you want to use the slightly higher-quality S-video connection, you’ll need your own S-video cable, though).
If you have analog tapes, such as Betamax, Hi8, and VHS, you’ll need a VCR that plays the type of tapes you have. If you don’t have a VCR, try sites such as Craigslist, eBay, and Freecycle to find a low-cost one. If you or a family member was a prolific photographer back in the day, you may have a number—okay, scores—of photo albums or shoeboxes full of loose prints stuffed into closets. Sadly, these start to feel like unwieldy clutter and can’t be easily shared with relatives, copied, or organized the way digital photos can be. This article cover two methods for transferring 8mm and Hi8 videotapes to DVD or VHS. This is another device in this category that you can rely on. It is a Helical scanning mini-DV VCR with 2 rotary heads.
Future-Proofing Digital Images and Videos
After the played footage ends, press stop on both the camcorder and capturing device. The simplest way to transfer your miniDV to digital form is onto a DVD via DVD recorder without any software. Your computer needs at least one free USB-A port and software to capture played footage from the camcorder. During the research, we found one free software that may help you, VirtualDub.
Read more about mini dv tapes to digital here.
Remember, you should probably try this process with a test tape first, ensuring you don’t lose anything in the event that your equipment malfunctions. Connect the USB output of the video capture device to a USB port on the PC. The type of camcorder, the connections it has, and the supporting software on the PC determine how videos can be uploaded and saved.