How to Digitize VHS tapes

Don't jeopardize your memories. Learn how to preserve your old home movies by digitizing your VHS tapes.

You Will Need

* A capture card

* A computer with movie-making software

* A VCR

* RCA cables

* An external hard drive

Step 1: Purchase an external or internal capture card

Purchase a capture card. Internal capture cards are installed into the hardware of the computer; external cards plug into the computer via the FireWire or USB ports.

Step 2: Install the capture card

Install or attach the capture card to your computer.

Step 3: Attach the VCR

Connect the VCR to the capture card with the RCA cables.

Step 4: Insert tape

Insert the VHS tape into the VCR.

Step 5: Open movie-making program

Open the movie-making program on your computer.

Step 6: Capture video

Open the capture feature of the video-making program, and capture the footage by pressing play on the VCR and record in the capture window.

Capture the best footage by capturing only what you will use later.

Step 7: Store footage

Store your footage to your computer, or to an external drive, since video files take up a lot of computer space.

Fact: The last major motion picture released on VHS tape was A History of Violence in 2006.