Help in converting video tape to digital - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Coffeecup · 03-23-2019, 04:17 PM

Over the last 30 years I have video taped family with VHS Tapes and 8 mm tapes.
Now 30 years later with computers I was wondering if anyone knows how to convert.
I have a Apple computer and would like to save the information on the tapes and view again in a newer way. I have the out put devices, a Vcr and the 8mm camcorder but would like to know how to convert. Could the end result be a thumb drive or a flash drive. The computer I owned doesn't look to have a CD slot. What would I buy to convert ?. Costs, it is simple to do. ?? Any help would appreciate.

Thanks

MrCleveland · 03-23-2019, 09:55 PM

I'd like to do that as well...I hear that your computer could be good in burning up to 8 hours of stuff...and I wanna get a DVD burner that's around $200.

Impressions · 03-23-2019, 10:16 PM

I would suggest getting a capture card or device that connects to your computer via USB. Then connect the camera or tape to the device via a composite cable and then use the software that came with the card/device to capture the footage as it plays.

treky · 03-24-2019, 01:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Impressions

I would suggest getting a capture card or device that connects to your computer via USB. Then connect the camera or tape to the device via a composite cable and then use the software that came with the card/device to capture the footage as it plays.

unless you have a computer that's like my piece of **** one

I know what's wrong with it; I keep getting error messages saying the drivers need to be updated, the anti-virus software is out-of-date, etc. But I don't want to sink more money into it and my brother agrees that I shouldn't since it's 15 years old. But I can't afford a new one.

Coffeecup · 03-24-2019, 10:45 PM

My computer should be ok. I paid $1,200. for it. It is an apple. Bought just last October 2018. I don't think it has a dvd slot. As I touch the bottom I do feel slots but they seem only be about 1 1/2 inches wide. They could be there for ventilation. I do have small slot on the side too.
I was thinking of Vcr to something and that something could give me a download to the computer. I do wonder how much space it would take up. Or the Something to a thumb drive or the little square drive. The gadget you put in cameras. If I had the little drive card thinga ma bob that I could use those in place of the cumbersome tapes.
Put them in to look and play around with. I have about 10 Vhs tapes and about 10 -8mm tapes of family videos. Then I wonder why am I doing this for. In 25 years I will be the cemetery and the videos may end up in the dump.

Coffeecup · 03-24-2019, 10:49 PM

Impressions

Where would I get something that you suggest? Someone mentions DVD but isn't that another gadget to sit on the shelf? With new technology wouldn't I be 10 years behind?

03-23-2019, 04:17 PM	#1
Coffeecup coffeecup. Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 17, 2003 Location: snoozeville Posts: 3,184	Help in converting video tape to digital Over the last 30 years I have video taped family with VHS Tapes and 8 mm tapes. Now 30 years later with computers I was wondering if anyone knows how to convert. I have a Apple computer and would like to save the information on the tapes and view again in a newer way. I have the out put devices, a Vcr and the 8mm camcorder but would like to know how to convert. Could the end result be a thumb drive or a flash drive. The computer I owned doesn't look to have a CD slot. What would I buy to convert ?. Costs, it is simple to do. ?? Any help would appreciate. Thanks

03-23-2019, 09:55 PM	#2
MrCleveland Drew Carey from Hell Forum Star Join Date: Nov 10, 2007 Location: The City of Cleveland, in The State of Cleveland, in The United States of Cleveland Posts: 14,235	I'd like to do that as well...I hear that your computer could be good in burning up to 8 hours of stuff...and I wanna get a DVD burner that's around $200.
	__________________ Thank God for kids that love Obscure Things. Lee Hazlewood (1929-2007) You ARE Special to God! Rev. Ernest Angely (August 1921-May 2021)

03-23-2019, 10:16 PM	#3
Impressions She died the way she lived Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: May 08, 2002 Posts: 4,640	I would suggest getting a capture card or device that connects to your computer via USB. Then connect the camera or tape to the device via a composite cable and then use the software that came with the card/device to capture the footage as it plays.

03-24-2019, 10:45 PM	#5
Coffeecup coffeecup. Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 17, 2003 Location: snoozeville Posts: 3,184	My computer should be ok. I paid $1,200. for it. It is an apple. Bought just last October 2018. I don't think it has a dvd slot. As I touch the bottom I do feel slots but they seem only be about 1 1/2 inches wide. They could be there for ventilation. I do have small slot on the side too. I was thinking of Vcr to something and that something could give me a download to the computer. I do wonder how much space it would take up. Or the Something to a thumb drive or the little square drive. The gadget you put in cameras. If I had the little drive card thinga ma bob that I could use those in place of the cumbersome tapes. Put them in to look and play around with. I have about 10 Vhs tapes and about 10 -8mm tapes of family videos. Then I wonder why am I doing this for. In 25 years I will be the cemetery and the videos may end up in the dump.

03-24-2019, 10:49 PM	#6
Coffeecup coffeecup. Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 17, 2003 Location: snoozeville Posts: 3,184	Impressions Where would I get something that you suggest? Someone mentions DVD but isn't that another gadget to sit on the shelf? With new technology wouldn't I be 10 years behind?