Getting VHS content into digital format
 

What's the best way to go about copying content from old VHS tapes into a digital format. The idea would be to get the content onto a hard drive, and then upload clips to youtube.

I've seen devices in various Brookstone-type catalogs for about $200 but I'm guessing there's an easier/cheaper way. Anyone have any suggestions?

Have you checked with your local library?

My wife is working with one of my students to do transfers to DVD. If you have any college connections that might be a way to go.

If your PC has a tuner card you can just plug the vcr into it. Or I believe there's a company that makes a usb solution called a dazzle. Anything involving a PC is gonna be 1:1 recording so it will take awhile. I think the usb ones are 50 or less.

Getting those last Leaf playoff games upgraded eh?

I can't 100% recall, but where I work has a software program called something like "DVD to VHS" and has the cables included. It's around $49 to $59. I work at one of the main office supply places and I would almost assume Best Buy would have it as well.

I have the Pinnacle Video Transfer Drive. It's a pretty nifty device, and you can find it on Amazon for under $90. You basically record the video to a jump drive and then can upload or edit. It comes with a very basic editing program that will also format videos for uploading to YouTube.

You would need the Betamax USB converter for that one.

I got this program on sale at Best Buy for $49 about a year ago. It works great, have converted a bunch of my old band concerts. They're nice'n safe now.