Hiya, pretty much the title. I have a dozen tapes I want to backup before age takes its toll. My basic idea after watching some videos online is to buy a hardware based upscaler that can interface with my vcr then throw that signal to a video capture card and record on my computer. I’ll go with name brands to avoid problems but is that really the best method? I want to avoid sending them to a service since it will cost more than just buying the hardware in the first place and I got time to kill.

  • davefischer@beehaw.orgEnglish
    2·
    1 year ago

    Are there any VHS decks that will allow digital transfer without writing a DVD?

    Edit: Found it! There are MiniDV / SVHS combo decks with digital out via firewire. Pricey though.

    • teawrecks@sopuli.xyz
      2·
      1 year ago

      Yes. Just get an RCA to USB adapter and use software to capture the video as it’s playing on the VCR.

    • ParanoidFactoid@beehaw.orgEnglish
      2·
      1 year ago

      And you’ll still need a firewire card too.

      I still have a bunch of old 8mm tapes, a camera, and firewire card. It’s archived work product. Otherwise, I’d toss 'em.

      • davefischer@beehaw.orgEnglish
        2·
        1 year ago

        Oddly enough, the laptop I’m sitting in front of has firewire. (And linux sees it! Might actually work…)