Convert VHS Tapes, 8mm Slides, and Vinyl Records to CDs or DVDs
Preserving obsolete analog media into digital formats insures years of enjoyment from old tapes, records and slides. Converting analog media to digital is easily accomplished with the right equipment. This guide will provide general steps to help you archive valuable older tapes, slides and records by using your computer to convert these analog sources to digital CDs or DVDs so they will last for years to come.
Instructions
1. Use the external audio and video inputs from your computer TV tuner to record VHS and 8mm tapes and records. Install the recording software supplied by your TV tuner, and plug the TV tuner into your computer's USB port.
2. Plug the outputs from your VHS player or 8mm camcorder to the video inputs of your TV tuner. Your record player will not be able to plug directly into the audio inputs of the TV tuner. Instead, first plug the record player into a stereo receiver, then plug the tape audio outputs from the receiver into the TV tuner. RCA audio and video cables will make the connections in all cases.
3. Use the TV tuner recording software to select a location for the digitized files on your computer. Note that your audio files will be recorded in video file formats using a TV tuner. You can easily convert these files using additional software. Enter the software's record mode and begin playback of your analog video or audio source as you record the digitized file onto your computer's hard drive.
4. Use a file conversion program to convert the MPEG video files created by the TV tuner software to audio files. Select either MP3 or WAV as the output audio file format.
5. Scan slide images by connecting a photo scanner with a slide adapter to your computer. If you only have a normal document scanner, you can make your own slide adapter device by following the link found in the resource section. Scanned slides can be converted to popular digital image formats using the software supplied by your scanner.
6. Burn your digitized audio files to a CD using media software included with your operating system or software supplied with your disc burning hardware. Likewise, you will need DVD publishing software to convert your digitized video files from VHS and 8mm tapes, or slides, to DVDs. DVD publishing software will allow you to add menus to navigate between video files and arrange the slide scans into a slide presentation for DVD.
Tags: your computer, audio files, software supplied, video files, analog media
