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We are digital librarians. Among us are represented the various reasons to keep data -- legal requirements, competitive requirements, uncertainty of permanence of cloud services, distaste for transmitting your data externally (e.g. government or corporate espionage), cultural and familial archivists, internet collapse preppers, and people who do it themselves so they're sure it's done right. Everyone has their reasons for curating the data they have decided to keep (either forever or For A Damn Long Time). Along the way we have sought out like-minded individuals to exchange strategies, war stories, and cautionary tales of failures.

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Digitizing VHS- Where to start? (feddit.rocks)

submitted 2 months ago by Sandpaper1046@feddit.rocks to c/datahoarder@lemmy.ml

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Hi, I'm having a bit of information overload. I'm trying to digitize my VHS collection as I know they'll stop working one day, and I'd like to keep their contents around after their analog form has parished. Ive tried startpaging this issue, but I'm honestly overwhelmed. The biggest take-away I have is avoid cheap USB capture devices (EasyCaps and generic variants.) What is the best option for an American on a fixed budget who wants to digitize their collection in the highest quality possible? Ive seen people recommending: TV Tuner Cards RF Video capture via MISRC and Domescape? i think were the names Using a combo DVD/VHS player to copy the VHS to DVD and then ripping the DVD with MakeMKV or handbrake Probably more, I can't recall at the moment but, I'm sure someone will.

Basically, if I dont have to spend money, I would prefer not to, but I do want a quality recording/rip. I know for a fact anything over $200 USD is going to be out if my budget. I have sufficient Linux knowledge and soldering knowledge and I have seen some people those are needed for the RF tools, but I also see some of those options are pricy.

Lemmings, what are your opinions on my situation? Is there anything short of an easycap in my budget that I should be looking into? What are your experiences? Thanks.

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[–] greengnu@slrpnk.net 1 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

My general Digitizing VHS tapes advise is:

Watch:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZC5Zr3NC2PY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQioCb4KUHM

Look into:

https://legacybox.com/products/vhs-conversion

https://lotusmedia.us/convert-tapes/

https://www.memoriesrenewed.com/video-transfer-services/

and only if you have a shitload of personal VHS tapes should you get a TV tuner card and try to convert.