mpg and in almost all cases they will play. Panasonic 'all in one' units make the most sense as they encode from the VHS player without any cabling or further processing.ĭVDs are essentially MPEG2 files.

Using a DVD recorder is an excellent idea - provided the connection to it is either component or worse case Y/C. Yet because they are OLD, the content has an historic value, so are worth saving to DVD ( or Memory stick.). My tapes were all VHS, although the playback was on an SVHS machine, - so as to give me the best chance. However, as others have said, the ORIGINAL VHS quality is not really up to modern standards. I use Sony ( now Magix-), Studio v.12 software which comes with most of the above extras. =Could the lack of quality be an issue with the Mac as My PC appears to accept the DVD files and then I can Edit, add titles and commentary + non-copyright music. The DVD recorder allows ( prior to making a DVD), that I can cut-out (or repeat a specific sequence for use at the Video-Edit stage later). If the originals are commercial movies, there may be a copyright issue, but I'm sure you know this already.īTW do wind-rewind the tapes before playing - just to make sure they are free-running.įWIW I have used an SVHS record/playback with a Sony DVD recorder* and the quality is about the same as the original - any difference hasn't been noticed and the 'improvement' by using Software is a great up-lifter.

Also Once in digital form, you can apply Colour correction, add music, adjust brightness add Titles and generally 'Clean-up' the original.

but better than the analogue was originally. then convert to a DVD - not the highest quality. FWIW, I'd be reluctant to send the originals anywhere by post.Īnother means is to use a DVD Recorder ( now rare!) which can accept both SCART and SVHS inputs recording to HDD - simple Edits can remove obvious breaks. FWIW I recall that VHS was about 400 whereas SVHS was 600 - so nothing like HD at 1080x1920 ( you may need to search for the quality-factors, but VHS was not that good, being an analogue it was almost impossible to EDIT, without obvious degredation.Ī commercial outfit will be an expensive choice, but if the tapes are treasured - maybe worthwhile.

Vhs to computer converter