Do you have an old VHS cassette at home? If so, you might be wondering what to do with this. If there is still intact footage on that VHS cassette, you should consider digitizing it. The footage on that VHS cassette is still valuable, even if it doesn’t compare to the digital quality of today. Eventually, old VHS cassette footage will degrade, and you may lose that footage for good. You don’t want this to happen, so convert that old footage to a digital format. That way, you can play it whenever you want. At the same time, you might be wondering, how do I digitize VHS fast? If you want to learn how to digitize a VHS cassette fast, there are a few important points to keep in mind.
Gather the Equipment
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Regardless of whether you have an old Disney movie or a home video you would like to convert to a digital format, you need to have the right equipment. The essential equipment you need to have includes:
A VCR:
First, you need to have a VCR. A VCR is responsible for playing a VHS cassette. You may have a standalone VCR player that you need to plug into a TV. Or, you may have a TV that includes a VCR player in it. Importantly, you do not necessarily need to have a TV for digitizing the video footage, but you may want to have one so you can watch the video play.
A Computer:
Of course, you need to have a computer that will help you digitize the footage. You don’t necessarily need to have a TV because you can watch the video play on the computer. Make sure you have a computer that is capable of handling this type of footage. What this means is that you need to have a computer that has a USB port.
A USB to Composite Video Converter:
There is a good chance that your VCR player does not have a USB port. Therefore, you need to have something that can convert the footage from the VCR player to the USB port on the computer. What this means is that you need to have a USB to composite video converter. There are plenty of options available, but you need to find one that is not only cost-effective but also affordable. Unfortunately, these converters are not necessarily cheap.
Even though you would like to do this as quickly as possible, it is still going to take several hours. You will need to play the VHS cassette in its entirety if you want it to convert to a digital format. Therefore, make sure you set aside some time.
Make Sure To Rewind the VHS Cassette
If you don’t have one, you should also have a VHS cassette rewinder. Even though you can slide the VHS cassette into the VCR player and ask it to play in reverse, this is not the fastest way to complete the process. You may also damage the footage. Because you are going to play the VHS cassette from start to finish, it has to be rewound all the way. Otherwise, you will not collect all the footage.
Start the Conversion Process
Finally, once the VHS cassette has been rewound all the way, you need to start the process. Make sure you have an operating system that is capable of handling the conversion. Even though you don’t necessarily need to watch the VHS cassette play, it is still a good idea to do so. When the VHS cassette starts to play, you need to hit the record button on the computer. That way, it will collect the video file in a digital format.
It is important for you to keep an eye on the video as the conversion process takes place. You need to make sure the audio and video do not get off. If they are not even, you won’t be happy with the final result. Even though your computer probably has an automated tracking system that will keep the audio and video footage aligned properly, you never know what will happen.
Furthermore, you need to make sure you have a clear picture. If the picture begins to wobble on the computer screen, you need to pause and address this issue before you continue. Otherwise, you won’t be happy with the quality of the final product.
Rely on a Professional Service For Help
So, can you do everything on your own? Even though you can probably handle this process, you don’t necessarily want to spend all the money on the equipment for just a few videos. Furthermore, if the audio and video files get off, what happens to the digital footage? Do you have the ability to fix this?
For this reason, it is always better to rely on a professional service that can help you convert your video files. For example, you may want to work with ARS Video, which has a tremendous amount of experience helping people convert old VHS cassettes to digital formats. Even though there is always something special about holding a physical videocassette in your hand, you don’t want the video footage to degrade. It is valuable to you, and you need to protect it. Make sure the process is done correctly by working with a professional team. Furthermore, you will still get the original VHS cassette back when you are done. You will also get a digital copy that will last for posterity.
Get Ready To Digitize Your Old Movies
These are a few of the most important points you need to keep in mind if you want to digitize your old VHS cassettes. Even though you might be able to do this on your own, it is better to work with a professional service that has the equipment and experience necessary to help you. Take the necessary steps to protect your old video footage now. Make sure you can watch it for years to come.