What's the best bang for buck way to convert old VHS format to digital?

[Caveman]

Need good quality for archiving family home movies, but doesn't have to be "perfect"... Best bang for buck solution is what I'm after.

Not even sure what solutions are out there, and once I do, I'd also like some specific hardware recommendations if possible...

Hate to rely on the Geek Squad at BB for answers

 

[rivan]

AFAIK, your only option is to use a VCR and a video capture device.

I can't recommend specific hardware, having not owned any. I will say the VCR is important (don't just yank the 20-year old, dusty clunker one out of your garage), too, to supply the capture device with the best signal your tape can put out.

Edit: It looks like some of those devices support s-video inputs. It'd be my expectation that s-video would deliver results superior to an RCA transfer.

 

[corkyg]

For simplicity and direct conversion, I use a Sony combo VCR and DVD recorder. Similar to this:

Combo

Put the VHS tape in one side and a blank DVD in the other and do a direct conversion.

 

[rivan]

Originally posted by: corkyg
For simplicity and direct conversion, I use a Sony combo VCR and DVD recorder. Similar to this:

Combo

Put the VHS tape in one side and a blank DVD in the other and do a direct conversion.

Wow. Ignore my whole post and use that - a WHOLE lot simpler.

 

[Caveman]

Hmmm Was hoping to get out for under $50...

 

[IronWing]

How many tapes? If not too many, consider a service.

 

[Muse]

Originally posted by: Caveman
Hmmm Was hoping to get out for under $50...

Do you have a VCR? A lot of video cards have an S-VHS input. Myself, I have 3 SVHS VCR's, so I could do it now. You can probably get a VCR with SVHS output cheaply now, used. Or find one in a thrift store. I'd think that people are just giving them away these days now that digital has hit bigtime. Your electronic component recycling facilities probably have shelves filled with them.

 

[Caveman]

My VHS has an S-Vid output...

I'm thinking of getting the HD4870 or the new 4870X2... Don't think these have S-inputs...