For the lack of a better term.. recommendations on ripping vhs tapes

[RBCC]

I use a laptop with only a usb port and no capture card , is there something i can use on my laptop to capture the vhs tape? Also what type cord can i connect to my laptop? John

[johns0]

By a decent usb capture device and use that to capture your vhs tapes.

[DB83]

^^ Yip.

Look at Hauppage usb analogue capture devices or the genuine EzCap116 (lots of fakes exist so get from a recognised source)

Connectivity then depends on your VCR. Generally, you would need two composite cables from the VCR in to the capture device. The usb plug goes from the device in to the laptop.

Word of caution. It is not easy to capture in to a laptop ie with a single HDD since your OS is competing with disk access at the same time as you are capturing.

[RBCC]

I have 2 external and one internal.

[DB83]

Ok. Do you have a free usb slot with the external drive attached ?

You could try a usb hub if you do not have a free slot but there is always a chance of both capture device and the drive fighting for dominance on the usb bus.

[TimA-C]

Unless you're using E-sata or USB3.0 ports and external HDDs (and possibly even then) then you'll probably be better off capturing to your Laptop's internal HDD and then copying to an external drive later on in your workflow.