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How to convert old movies to digital format
7 min. read
Updated onOctober 4, 2023
updated onOctober 4, 2023
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VHS (Video Home System) cassettes were once the standard for videos during the 1980s. However, they started to decline in the 1990s with the advent ofDVDand are now obsolete.
Do you have some old recorded VHS movies gathering dust that need converting to digitalDVDformat? If that’s the case, there are three ways you can convert antiquated analog video movies toDVD.
First, note that old movies does not mean copyrighted films. It’s illegal to copy copyrighted VHS films toDVDs. However, it’s fine to convert your own recorded VHS movies to a digitalformat.
We have compiled a list of solutions for you to be able to convert old movies to digital format, so keep reading!
How can I convert old movies to digital format?
1. Use Adobe Premiere Pro
If you are wonderinghow to convert old movies to digital, then you should know already thatAdobe Premiere Pro is an industry-leading timeline-based video editor and converter.
This amazing software can be used to do pretty much whatever you want with a video file. In the case at hand, the program can even be used for digitizing analog video.
More so, the program can be used to compile and edit videos from scratch, add special effects, filters, soundtracks, and more.
Adobe Premiere Pro
2. Take the video to an alternative VHS-to-DVD conversion service
If you have just one or two VHS videos to convert toDVD, it’s probably better to take them to a VHS-to-DVDconversion service such as those provided by Walmart.
Walmart will convert a two-hour VHS video toDVDwith chapter menus and music video highlightsat a good price. You can find further details atthis web page.
However, there are plenty of alternatives to Walmart, like Southtree or Costco.
As you’ll still need some extra software and hardware to convert an old movie yourself, the conversion services might be a better alternative.
3. Convert the VHS movie to disc with a VHS-DVD combo player
It might be more economical to convert lots of VHS videos (perhaps 10 or more) to disc yourself with a VHS-DVDcombo player.
VHS-DVDcombo players play both cassette videos andDVD, and you can copy a VHS video toDVDwith one of those. Combo players are also in obsolescence, so they’re getting cheaper.
Converting a VHS video to digital versatile disc is straightforward with a VHS-DVDcombo player. Just insert the VHS cassette and a blank, rewritableDVDin the VHS-DVDplayer.
Then press the record button on theDVDside and the play button for the VHS video – or the combo player might have a direct dubbing option.
That’s all there is to it usually, but some VHS-DVDcombo players might have more unique settings. So check the manual first before converting VHS toDVD.
4. Convert the old movie with a VHS to DVD software
VHS toDVDsoftware that comes with a digital-to-analog converter is an alternative to VHS-DVDcombo players.
That software enables you to convert VHS to digitalformatby connecting a desktop or laptop to your old VHS player with a digital-to-analog converter like the one shown directly below.
The best VHS toDVDprograms will include avideo editor, and options to burn the captured video to disc.
As such, you can enhance the footage with the software by removing some content from it and adding transitions and other effects.
Diamond One-Touch Video Capture VC500for Windows and Mac is one of the best VHS andDVDprograms for Windows, and it comes with software to burn videos toDVD.
This is how you can convert an old movie to digitalformatwith this software:
So that’s how you can convert old movies to digitalformatfor playback onDVD. When you’ve converted the videos, you can toss away those dusty VHS tapes that had piled up and watch the movies in digitalformat.
Then you can also add thevideo clips to YouTubeand share them on social media sites, which is another big advantage of copying them to Windows.
More about the topics:Adobe Premiere,video converter
Matthew Adams
Windows Hardware Expert
Matthew is a freelancer who has produced a variety of articles on various topics related to technology. His main focus is the Windows OS and all the things surrounding it.
He is passionate about the tech world, always staying up-to-date with the latest and greatest. With an analytical view, he likes problem-solving, focusing on errors and their causes.
In his free time, he likes to read and write about history and tries to always develop new skills.
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Matthew Adams
Windows Hardware Expert
He is passionate about everything surrounding Microsoft’s OS, focusing on troubleshooting guides & tips for everyday problems.
