VHS To DVD: 3 Tips To Help You Prepare

Many people remember watching their favorite movies on VHS cassettes in their youth. Home movies were originally shot with cameras that used VHS tapes as well. If you have memories stored on VHS tapes, you know how difficult it can be to enjoy these memories. VHS cassettes are bulky, and they have been replaced by the DVD in today's modern world. Converting your VHS tapes to DVD can be a great way to preserve your memories.

Here are three tips you can use to prepare for the process.

1. Pay attention to the format of blank DVDs before purchase.

While all DVDs might look the same to the untrained eye, there are actually several different formats available. The format of the disc you use when converting your VHS tapes to DVD will impact your ability to play the DVD in your home theater equipment in the future.

If you want to have the ability to reuse the DVDs in the future, then invest in DVD-RW discs. These discs are recordable and rewriteable, which allows you to reuse them. Discs marked DVD-R or DVD+R can only be recorded once. Be sure that you know which format will best suit your purposes before purchasing discs.

2. Make sure you have the equipment necessary to play your VHS tapes.

If you will be transferring your VHS tapes to DVD at home, you will need access to equipment that will allow you to play the VHS tapes. VCRs that played VHS tapes used to be common in households, but they have been replaced by DVD players.

If you no longer have your VCR, you can check out your local thrift store to find a used one at an affordable price. Camcorders that play VHS tapes can also be used during the conversion process.

3. Test the conversion process with a VHS that isn't important to you.

Although the conversion process usually runs smoothly, if you haven't tried converting a VHS to DVD in the past, you might encounter some problems. These problems could result in the destruction of your VHS tapes.

Rather than experimenting with the only tape of your child's first birthday, use a VHS that isn't important instead. You can purchase used VHS tapes at your local thrift store for cheap, so investing in a few practice tapes might be a good idea.

Converting your VHS tapes to DVD will allow you to more easily enjoy the memories you have made. Be sure that you pay attention to the format of blank DVDs before purchasing them, invest in a VCR or camcorder that can play VHS tapes, and buy some practice tapes to ensure your conversion goes smoothly. You can also hire companies like Prime Time Video Digital Productions to convert the tapes for you.