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How to Transfer VHS-C to a Computer

If you have a FireWire port on your camera and on your computer, transferring your tapes to your computer is basically plug and play. Just launch your video editing software to capture your video. Those without FireWire on their cameras or computers must use special video capture devices to digitize their videos. This process involves only a few steps to convert tapes to digital files to share on your computer.

Things You'll Need

  • Composite A/V cables
  • Computer
  • Camcorder or playback device
  • Video capture device
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Instructions

    • 1

      Check your VHS-C camera to determine what type audio and video connections it has. If you can connect a composite cable to the camera, you can transfer your video directly from the camera. It you cannot, you must get another camera with that capability, a VHS-C player or an adapter to play the VHS-C tapes in a standard VHS player.

    • 2

      Connect your composite cables to your playback device. If you are using a VHS player, plug your cables into the output plugs. If you are using a camera, it should be clearly marked but will vary from camera to camera.

    • 3

      Install your video capture device if you have already. Insert the CD to install the drivers, then plug the device into your computer via USB.

    • 4

      Plug the composite cables into the video capture device.

    • 5

      Launch the video capture software.

    • 6

      Choose a file name and destination for your video. Press "Record" on the software and "Play" on the playback device. Your video will record to your computer as it plays, so if you have a 30-minute video on your VHS-C, it will take 30 minutes to capture and digitize it on your computer.

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