How to convert VHS and Analog Camcorder tapes to DVD

Converting home videos to DVD is a great way to preserve, share and enhance those old tapes that may be aging not too gracefully and "do it yourself" tape to DVD conversion can be easy and affordable. If you want to transfer VHS to DVD, several options exist for the VHS to DVD conversion and, if done right, the DVD's can look even better than the original VHS tapes (for simplicity sake I use VHS, but this process also applies to VHS-C, SVHS, Hi8, regular, even Beta). In order to convert VHS and analog camcorder tapes to DVD, you need to transfer VHS tapes to your computer hard drive first and then burn the transferred video to DVD.

Part 1 Transfer VHS tape to computer to digital video
Depending upon the devices you own and the features of those devices, your options are numerous. The options listed first are the easiest and least expensive to implement assuming that you already own the devices and/or peripherals. You must own or purchase a DVD burner for all options.

Method 1 Convert Using a Computer with a Video Capture Card Video
Capture Card

If you own a computer with a video capture card, this is typically the best and easiest option for converting your video. Unfortunately, only high-end computers and media center PCs typically come equipped with these cards. If not, they are fairly expensive to purchase and generally not worth the money for this one time usage. If you are unsure if your computer came with a video capture card, refer to your owner's manual or look for composite, S-Video, or other video inputs on the back of the computer. The input should look like the output on your VCR.

Method 2 Convert Using a Digital Camcorder sony camcorder

If your computer doesn't have a video capture card, consider an alternative for converting the video below. Internal video capture cards are quite expensive.Many newer digital camcorders have a feature called 'pass-thru' mode.

This feature enables the camcorder to act as a video capture device, which enables it to convert analog video to digital video and pass it through to the computer.The best way to find out if your digital camcorder supports this feature is to read your user manual or refer to the manufacturer's website.

Method 3 Convert Using an External Video Capture Device

Even if you are still unsure, you can still do the conversion, it just is more time consuming because instead of one step conversion, you have to record to the digital camcorder tape first, then record to the computer.

If you don't own a digital camcorder, the next best solution for converting your analog tapes is to buy an external video capture device. It is similar to a video capture card that is physically installed inside a computer except that it is connected externally to the computer. The advantage of this device over an internal video capture card is that it is much less expensive (under $100 vs. typically several hundred dollars).

Part 2 Convert VHS to DVD
Once you transferred VHS and Analog camcorder tapes to digital video saved on your computer hard drive, then you need DVD burner software which allows you to edit videos and burn videos to DVD. Aimersoft DVD Creator is an easy-to-use yet quite useful program specifically designed to let you edit videos and burn videos to DVD. This step-by-step guide will show you how to how to transfer and convert VHS to DVD.

Buy the full version now for $35.95

Step 1 Install and launch Aimersoft DVD Creator

You can download DVD Creator here. This program specially designed to allow you to burn video to DVD like a professional. Once you’ve downloaded the program, install and launch it. The interface looks like:

Step 2 Load video files

To get started, you simply add the videos you want to create DVD out of by either hitting the "Add Video" or "Add Folder" buttons. The difference between "Add Video" and "Add Folder" is with "Add Video" only the videos you specifically select will be added (you may select more than one video at a time) and with "Add Folder" all the videos in the folder you select will be added. Drag and drop loaded video files to storyboard below to organize titleset.

Step 3 Edit videos

The plug-in video editor lets you edit videos quickly and easily. Selecting a video file in storyboard and clicking on Edit selected video file button will bring up the video trim window. Here you can crop, trim, add watermark, plug in subtitles or adjust video effects, according to your specific request.

Step 4 Set transition effects

You may set some transition effects to your titleset for a better visual effect. Simply click on Transition tab and there will be more than 60 transition effects displayed on the left interface. The right window will display the visual transition effect by randomly clicking any one of these effects. Simply drag and drop the selected transition effect to the between of two videos in the storyboard to apply it. Or click on Apply the selected transition button to apply.

Step 5 Customize DVD menu

Also, you have many DVD menu options for you to choose from. There are more than 32 various built-in DVD menu templates. (Download Free DVD Menu Templates). Double click the selected on the left interface to apply it, while the right interface will display the menu effect. In addition, there are many kinds of Fames, Buttons and Text in the menu drop-down list for you to choose from. You can double click the selected template, frame or button to apply it. Moreover, you could add text, customize background image and music to personalize your DVD menu.

Step 6 Preview

When you are done with all settings, you may click on Preview button to preview your titleset.

Step 7 Burn video to DVD

Now comes the burning step. Click on Burn button to burn video to DVD. DVD Creator gives you three options regarding to the output: DVD disc, DVD folder, or ISO file.

DVD Label: You may want to give a name of your DVD for easy management.
Burn to: DVD Creator gives you three different output options to meet your individual needs. These options includes burning videos to DVD disc, creating DVD Folder or producing ISO image file stored on computer.
TV Standard: "NTSC" is 30 fps, which is used in USA, Canada and Japan; "PAL" is 25fps, which is used in Europe and Asia.
Aspect Ratio: Select 4:3 for a regular TV and select 16:9 for a wide screen TV.

Note: The used disc space is shown on the disc space bar underneath the storyboard; You can select the size of burning DVD between "DVD-R4.5G" and "DVD-R9.0G"; The output quality is also up to your choice, you may select "Low video quality", "High video quality" or "Highest video quality".

Buy the full version now ---- $35.95 Platform: Windows Vista, XP, Windows 7

Supported OS	Windows XP/Vista/Windows 7
CPU	Intel Pentium II 350MHz or above, or any Athlon
Hard disk space	512 MB or above
RAM	512 MB or above

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