1. Diamond Multimedia VC500ST One Touch Standalone Digital Converter
2. VIDBOX VHS to DVD 8.0 Deluxe
3. Digitnow USB 2.0 Audio/Video Converter
4. Little World The VHS to Digital Converter USB 2.0 Video Converter
5. Roxio Easy VHS to DVD for Mac
You might remember a video on the internet about a father showing his kids a VHS tape, and they were having the toughest time identifying what it was. This is not surprising because technology has advanced so much since the days of VHS players, which is great and more convenient by the way. These days, if you wish to watch a videotape, you will have to convert VHS to digital format so that you can watch it on your smart television and computer.
You will have to get one of these converters for yourself so that you can turn those old videotapes into a digital format. These converters come in different forms with varying features that may be quite confusing. To get the best machine that will give you a quality conversion result, you will need to have an idea of what works and what does not. We did some research and were able to discover some useful information that will help you make the most suitable decision.
What is a VHS to Digital Converter?
A VHS to digital converter is a device that can convert a video format from analog form to a digital form. The definition of this device may sound somewhat straightforward, but there are a lot of other things that take place in the background to produce the required results. Some of these factors will be listed below and explained in a way that will disclose how they contribute to the process of VHS to digital conversion.
Software: The best quality converters come with their own software applications that include a number of functions that help you make the most out of your analog contents. For instance, there is the editing feature where you can change a thing or two as you wish. With this editing feature, you can trim out unwanted footage, add or remove sounds, or introduce any other effect allowed by the software.
There are some other types of converters that may not come with dedicated software. This does not make them inferior to the other types that come with a pre-installed software application. It all depends on what you want and your budget. If you decide to get these more basic types, you may have to purchase an editing program or download a free one from the internet, which should work just as well.
Copy protection: Some VHS tapes come with copy protections, especially commercially produced contents that need to be protected against piracy. Transferring the contents of such a tape to a digital format would only be possible if you get a converter that comes with the special ability to overcome this limitation. You may decide to get a converter that does not have this ability if you are sure you do not have to deal with such limitations.
Great output: It is important to take special care to make sure you invest in a product that can complete the conversion without reducing the quality of the picture and sound in the least. Otherwise, the machine should be able to improve the quality, all things being equal. If for any reason, you are having a hard time retaining the original quality of the content of the tape, you may need to check out the video details like the pixelation.
How to Pick The Right VHS To Digital Converter
In the course of our research, we were able to come up with some of the most influential factors that can affect the general quality of a converter. These are the things you need to have in mind if you intend to get a functional, cost-effective, and effective converter.
Brand
There are a lot of different brands of converters on the market. There are so many that you may have a tough time deciding which one to go for. Of course, they are all great to a reasonable extent, which is why they made it to the market space in the first place, but which of them has the best VHS to digital converter?
To save you some time, start by checking out the most popular brands that have earned a good reputation for themselves. They must be doing something right if they have a lot of good reviews, so they are worth checking out. Some of the highly recommended brands are Diamond Multimedia, Vidbox, Digitnow, and Little World.
Type
There are different types of converters, and you have to be clear about which one you want so that you can make the best decision. There is the basic type that does not come with a lot of features. This type allows you to do the conversion, but that is all. There are no editing features or other features. There are other types that can only convert from VHS to DVD format. With the DVD, you can move the video to your computer to convert it into a digital format.
Speed
You do not want to spend the whole day trying to convert a few VHS tapes to a digital format. This is why you may want to ensure that the brand you are considering has a reasonable speed level to complete the work really quickly.
Quality
A quality brand is one that is functional, effective, fast, easy to operate, durable, and cost-effective. You should be on the lookout for these features even if you are getting the most basic type of converter. If you want to go for the most sophisticated types, then be aware of what type of software it comes with and what functionalities you can perform with those software applications to help make the whole conversion process worthwhile.
Top 5 Best VHS To Digital Converters
We understand that these converters are not typical household appliances and that a lot of people may have issues with selecting the best choice for them. We also understand that many people may not have the time to carry out the required research to find the most suitable products. On that note, we have put together some of the most highly recommended digital converters for you to choose from.
1. Our Pick: Diamond Multimedia VC500ST One Touch Standalone Digital Converter
Features:
- Converts VHS tapes, Hi8 Mini DV tapes, DVDs, and set-top-recorded videos to a digital format (MP4)
- Comes with a pre-installed software application
- 3.5” LCD display screen and HDMI output for large-screen playback
- Records directly to SD card or USB flash drive
- Comes with a built-in speaker and pause-record option
- Supports scheduled recording
This device can convert contents from different outdated formats to a digital format. These old formats include VHS tapes, Hi8 Mini DV tapes, DVDs, and set-top-recorded videos. This takes place readily without the need for a computer or drivers. It comes with pre-installed software that takes care of the direct conversion process and saves the converted video to an SD card or a USB flash drive. With the built-in LCD screen, you can see the preview of the file as well as the playback
Pros
Pros
- Does not require computers, drivers, or additional installations
- Easy to preview and to play back
- Auto-stop recording supports 60-, 90-, 120-, and 150-minute selectable limits
- Free PowerDirector 12 editing and DVD burning software
- Installation manual guide included
- Signal stop detection
Cons
Cons
- Output that is not high definition
- Sound quality issues
If you do not want to record everything, you can use the pause record option, and no, you do not need to create multiple files for this. It also supports scheduled recording and auto-stop recording after any of the following selectable time frames: 60 minutes, 90 minutes, 120 minutes, and 150 minutes. This device also comes with free PowerDirector 12 editing and DVD burning software. You will need a computer to be able to use this software application.
Public Review Summary: This converter retains the quality of the original tapes andworks easily. It takes a very short period of time to save the video after you import the file in real time. The software that comes with it is easy to install and use. The only thing is that it does not work on all devices and operating systems
2. Best for Editing: VIDBOX VHS to DVD 8.0 Deluxe
Features:
- USB Cable and RCA AV Cable included
- Quick comprehensive start guide
- Installation software CD
- Compatible with old VHS, Beta, 8 mm or camcorder tapes
- Converts contents to DVD or other digital formats
- Works with Windows Vista, 7, 8, and 10 operating systems
Unboxing the Vidbox, the pack comes with a USB video capture device, USB cable, RCA AV cable, quick start guide, and installation software CD, which can also be downloaded from the website. It can effectively work with a number of different formats including old VHS, Beta, 8 mm, or camcorder tapes and convert them to DVD or other digital formats. It also works with different computer operating systems.
Pros
Pros
- Multifunctional and compatible with different formats
- Can be used to add music and take still images of videos
- Easy to operate and convenient
- Access to a toll-free support line for US-based customers
- Editing features and direct upload to the internet available
- Fast enough and improves video and sound quality
Cons
Cons
- Requires specific cables for conversion
- Only compatible with the latest version of iOS
The content you hope to convert does not necessarily have to be in VHS format. It could be in other formats, which is great and effective in saving money. It may come with pre-installed software, but you will need a computer if you wish to edit the videos in any way. This VHS to digital converter has a few downsides to it. It requires a specific cable connection for the conversion. This means the common ones do not work for it. Also, it is only compatible with the latest versions of operating systems.
Public Review Summary: It has a lot of cool features and settings. The software interface is simple, and also it has an advanced mode where you can stop recording or fast-forward to other sections. Also, there is the ability to select the quality and the format. Unfortunately, it does not work properly all the time, and the quality of the cables is not the best.
3. Best Budget: Digitnow USB 2.0 Audio/Video Converter
Features:
- Converts any analog format—VCR, VHS, and DVD
- Capture audio without a sound card
- Pre-installed software application
- Compatible with internet
- Video adapter with audio features
- CD-ROM and quick installation guide included
This VHS to digital converter is much more than just that; it can convert just about any analog format including VHS and DVD. It comes with pre-installed software that allows you to access a number of functions. Some of these include adjustment of brightness, hue, contrast, and saturation. So, you can make these adjustments as you see fit during the conversion process.
Pros
Pros
- Can be used for internet conference and net meetings
- Easy to set up and operate
- Includes s-video output
- Editing features available
- 12-month warranty and a steady support system
Cons
Cons
- Software that may be substandard and outdated
- No returns allowed
Another interesting feature of this device is that you can capture the audio without a sound card. The video adapter also comes with audio features you will most likely benefit from. It is also compatible with the internet, so you can share your video over the internet, in a video call, or upload it to social media platforms. For the most part, you should not have any issues setting up and operating this device especially if you take the time to look through the guide and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. If you have any problems, you can reach out to the support unit to help you sort things out.
Public Review Summary: This converter is very simple to use. It only takes a few seconds, and you start converting. The converter dongle itself is plug-and-play compatible. The quality is good, and the software is easy to understand and use. On the other hand, customers admit that it does not work on all operating systems and can have some troubles while converting.
4. Best for Convenience: Little World The VHS to Digital Converter USB 2.0 Video Converter
Features:
- USB 2.0 interface
- Video converter and audio capture card
- Supports most video formats
- Adjustable feature for hue, brightness, saturation, and contrast
- Internet-compatible technology
- Suitable for Windows 10 and Mac
Just like all the other converters on this list, this device is compatible with most analog video formats; with this, you can save on the costs of getting a different converter for other non-VHS contents that you may want to convert. It makes use of the famous USB 2.0 interface for this procedure, which supports high-quality output. It captures quality audio output as well. During the conversion process, you can choose to apply the adjustment features to change the hue, brightness, contrast, and saturation settings. With this feature, you can make the video more appealing and modern.
Pros
Pros
- Easy to set up and operate
- Produces high-quality video and audio result
- Software application on a CD-ROM
- Effective customer care service
- Time-efficient process
- Comprehensive product guide
Cons
Cons
- May be a little too technical for some people
You can share your videos on the internet with this device or put them up on social media platforms. This device is suitable for Mac and Windows operating systems, comes with a software application on a CD-ROM, and does not take a lot of time to convert your video from analog to digital format. To make it work, you will need a computer system that can read the software. It works well with Windows and Mac operating systems.
Public Review Summary: This converter is plug-and-play compatible, and its software installs and works without problems. Also, it is a plus that it works on Linux. Impressively, it converts the content from old VHS tapes almost without losing any quality. But as is usual for this type of product, there can be problems with synchronization on different operating systems.
5. Best for Mac Operating System: Roxio Easy VHS to DVD for Mac
Features:
- Editing features
- Internet-compatible technology
- Designed for Mac operating systems
- Supports VHS, HI8, Video8, etc.
- USB 2.0 port available
- 512 MB RAM
The last of the best VHS to digital converter on our list is the Roxie Easy VHS to DVD for Mac. This is one of the most highly recommended converters and is only compatible with the Mac operating system; there is another model for Windows users though. It comes with special editing features that allow you to make adjustments that can improve the quality of the output. It is compatible with the internet, so you can share your videos on an internet platform directly from the converter.
Pros
Pros
- Convenient and easy to operate
- Create your own movies by importing into iMovie
- Easy digitization and time-efficient
- Comes with a comprehensive user manual
- Latest software and security updates installed
Cons
Cons
- Does not work with Windows (use a different Roxie model for that)
- Price that is a bit on the high side
This device supports VHS, HI8, and Video8 formats as well as a lot of others. It has a USB 2.0 port available, which is quite common and easy to use. There is also 512 MB of RAM for better efficiency in processing videos, which cuts down on the processing time significantly compared to a lot of others out there. If you use a Mac, then this converter will be great for you; it is quite convenient and easy to operate.
Public Review Summary: It is a great option for Mac users, supporting Mac OS X 10.11 and above. The instructions, while sparse, are quite clear. It connects and installs easily. In just a few moments, you can start converting. The software interface is simple and intuitive. The only complaint here is that it can have problems on some versions of macOS.
Best VHS to Digital Converter FAQ
We hope that you find enough information in this post to help you make the best decision on which converter to buy. If you have any questions, please go through the most frequently asked questions and their answers for a better understanding.
Do I have to pay to get software for my digital converter?
Some converters come with pre-installed software. Some others include a CD-ROM, while others do not come with any at all. If the software comes with the package, then that means you have already paid for it, but if you buy a converter without a software application, you can always download one online for free. To be on the safe side, be sure you download only recommended applications.
How do I handle VHS tapes that are copy-protected?
Many mass-produced VHS tapes are copy-protected to avoid piracy. To convert such tapes, you would have to buy a converter that can bypass the protection.
What are the most important factors to look for in a VHS digital converter?
The most important factor to look for is the quality of the device; you should select something that can provide an amazing output at the end of the conversion. This has to do with the built-in features of the converter. Also, if you have some peculiar needs, then you may have to consider these as some of the most important features to search for when purchasing one.
What is the average cost of a VHS converter?
Depending on the brand and the quality of these units, the price may vary. Generally, the average cost is about $50 to $60. You can get a very basic low-quality one for about $30 or a high-end one for about $80. If you have more questions or need to make inquiries about these issues, please feel free to reach out to us, and we will get back to you.
Conclusion
With any of these devices, you can easily change the format of your old videos from analog to digital. There is no special skill for how to convert VHS to digital. All you need is the right tools, and then you can do it yourself. Be careful when making your purchase to avoid investing in a substandard unit that will give you nothing but frustration.
You can prevent these difficulties by taking quality time to research the product you want to buy to make sure it is good enough. Better still, you can just pick any of the highly recommended ones listed above. To ensure the durability and functionality of the machine, make certain you handle it with care. Keep food and drinks away from it, and clean it from time to time. When your converter is not in use, store it in a clean and dry place away from moisture and dust.