3 Ways to Convert VHS to DVD

There was a time that we captured wedding videos, family videos and party moments with video cameras and stored them on VHS (Video Home System) tapes. VHS once was a mainstay of home entertainment but now it seems outdated with the introduction of other formats like DVD, Blu-ray and internet streaming.

DVD is an inexpensive medium that can store data for a long term. Moreover, compared with VHS, DVD can store videos with higher quality and has a larger capability.

Therefore, if you want to preserve your precious videos well and playback them with common devices, you can convert and change VHS to DVD. In this tutorial, I will list three methods to help you convert VHS to DVD easily and quickly.

• Part 1: How to Convert VHS to DVD?
• Part 2: How to Burn Video to DVD with Sothink DVD Creator?

How to Convert VHS to DVD?

Method 1: Convert VHS to DVD with a DVD/VCR Combo

This may be the most straightforward way to do the conversion job with this VHS to DVD converter. But you have to find a DVD/VCR combo player. You can either borrow this all-in-one DVD and VCR machine or buy it from flea market or online.

Note: Before inserting VHS tape into VCR deck, please make sure the heads of VCR are clean.

1. Power up

Hook up the DVD-VHS recorder with your TV and turn the TV on.

2. Insert the VHS tape to the VCR deck

Insert the VHS tape to the VCR deck and play the VHS to make sure the video quality is well. Here you can forward or rewind the tape to the point you want to start recording.

3. Insert a blank DVD into the optical drive

Insert a blank DVD ± R/RW to the DVD tray.

4. Start recording

Press the record button to begin the converting process.

Method 2: Hook up a VCR to a DVD Recorder to Convert VHS to DVD

To transfer VHS to DVD in this way, the things you need are a VCR, a DVD player (not an external DVD burner for a computer) and an RCA cable that is used to connect VCR to your DVD player.

Note: Before inserting VHS tape into VCR deck, please make sure the heads of VCR are clean.

1. Connect VCR to DVD recorder

Connect VCR to DVD recorder with the RCA cable. Plug the cable to the corresponding color outputs on VCR and then plug the other side of the cable to the corresponding color inputs on the DVD player.

2. Insert the VHS tape and blank DVD disc

Insert your VHS to the VCR deck and play it. Here you can forward and rewind the tape to the point where you want to start recording. Insert a blank DVD ± R/RW into the DVD player.

3. Start converting

Then you can press the record button on DVD player and the play button on VCR. Please remember to press the record button first. Or you will lose the first few seconds of the video on VHS.

Method 3: Convert VHS to DVD by Using an Analog-to-Digital Adapter

To convert VHS to DVD in this way, you need to prepare a few more materials, involving a computer with a DVD burner (an external drive is ok, too), a VCR, an analog-to-digital adapter and a DVD burning software. Though it takes more steps, but it’s worth it. It allows you to convert your VHS to digital form on your computer first, and therefore you can edit the video, convert the video to different formats or share the video with your friends before burning it to DVD. Now please read on for the detailed conversion process.

Note: Before inserting VHS tape into VCR deck, please make sure the heads of VCR are clean.

1. Hook up the VCR with the computer

One end of the analog-to-digital adapter is a USB and the other end is color-coded RCA cable. Connect the VCR with the computer with the analog-to-digital adapter: plug the RCA cable to the corresponding colored outputs on the VCR and plug the USB to the USB port on the computer.

2. Insert the VHS tape and a blank DVD disc

Insert the VHS tape into the VCR and insert a blank DVD ± R/RW to the DVD drive.

3. Import the video to your computer

Most analog-to-digital adapters come with software that can import the VHS to the computer. Refer to the instruction manual to install the software and download the required drivers and then import the video to your computer. The imported digital file will be very large, and you need to leave enough available space for it in advance.

4. Burn the video to DVD

There probably is an option for you to burn a DVD after you transfer the VHS video to the computer with the software. But if there is not, you can employ a DVD burner or creator program to burn the video to DVD.

For Windows users, I recommend Sothink DVD Creator. It is a professional yet easy-to-use DVD burner tool, which can help you burn any video formats to DVD easily and quickly. For Mac, you can use iMovie to burn your footage to DVD.

Now you must have known how to convert VHS to DVD. You can choose one way from these three to have a try. At the end of the tutorial, I will show you how to burn video to DVD with Sothink DVD Creator. Sothink DVD Creator provides a 30-day free trial, so if you are in a demand of burning your digital videos to DVD, you can use it freely now!

How to Burn Video to DVD with Sothink DVD Creator?

Step 1: Start Sothink DVD Creator, and load the source video

Double click the desktop icon of Sothink Media launcher you've successfully installed, and opt for DVD Creator when it runs.

Step 2: Customize the output DVD

Define the output DVD size between DVD-9 and DVD-5 at the output size section, then move to the Save to part, and click the drop-down list, ISO icon or folder to burn the source video to DVD disc, be an ISO file or folder. And click the Next button to continue.

 Step 3: Begin burning video to DVD

Now, it's time to start to burn VOB video to DVD. All you need is just click the Start button, Sothink DVD Creator will immediately executes the task. The final processing time is determined totally by your PC hardware performance, the source size the video file.

OK, done! Now, check the output file. A standard DVD format, right? And you can enjoy the first-hand new movie now, have a nice time!