Not so long ago, the days when no one had heard of DVD yet, and people watched films exclusively from VCRs. Cassettes were forgotten, films were watched from DVD or even online. But what about those recordings that you only have on cassettes - old films or home videos? Just learn how to connect your VCR to your laptop.
Instructions
Step 1
Find an adapter first. In this case, it is a TV tuner. Its initial task is to be able to watch television programs on a computer. Some tuner models also allow you to listen to the radio. You also need a TV tuner capable of outputting data from a VCR.
Step 2
Also download and install drivers for your TV tuner. You can now connect your TV tuner to your laptop. Do not forget that the input of the tuner must be composite (of the "tulip" type, suitable for a tape recorder).
Connect your VCR to your TV tuner.
Step 3
Now start installing the video capture software. It will allow you to record a video stream from a TV tuner in a format recognized by a laptop. KMPlayer, a special EyeTV program, Fly2000TV, Pinacle studio programs will suit you.
Step 4
Prepare a blank disc (DVD) in advance for recording your digitized video. Insert the cassette you want to watch into the VCR. Turn on the capture mode on the TV tuner. Your video will begin dubbing from tape to digital.
Step 5
Please note that with such changes, the quality will suffer slightly. But the loss is quite insignificant - about 5%. Sound problems may also occur. Video and sound may differ in playback speed, and when the first frame is shown on the screen, the next one will be sounded. To fix this problem, use special programs.
Step 6
If you have a lot of videotapes, and finances allow, you can use an easier method. There are special adapters. On the one hand, they have a composite output for a VCR, on the other, a usual USB adapter.
Step 7
When video is needed immediately, but the necessary devices are not at hand, you can help … a regular video camera. Just play the video from the cassette tape on your TV and shoot the screen with your camcorder. Of course, the quality will suffer greatly.
