Ripping VHS tapes to MP4

[zroboy]

I have some old prerecorded Drum Corps VHS tapes. A few years back I was able to make DVDs (on a now defunct DVD/VHS machine) of some but a couple would not copy. I also have some copy protected VHS that can not be found on DVD that I would like to rip. Many of the devices I see for sale say they don't work on copy protected VHS. These are for me to watch and protect the tapes from damage. Anyone know of a sure way to do this? Would like to keep it under $50.

[lingyi]

Pet peeve. You don't RIP a VHS tape. You capture it.

Your $50 budget is unrealistic as you'll need an external Time Base Corrector $$$ to remove the copy protection. Add in a quality VCR and quality capture device and you're looking at 10X+ your budget. The upside is you can resell your equipment and recover most of the cost.

If you're willing to spend the money to do your project correctly and with quality, read these articles and threads:

http://www.digitalfaq.com/editorials/digital-video/professional-analog-workflow.htm

http://www.digitalfaq.com/forum/video-restore/1567-vcr-buying-guide.html

http://www.digitalfaq.com/forum/marketplace/8057-sale-complete-workflow.html

[zroboy]

Just a follow up on this. I found an article https://www.pcmag.com/feature/365201/how-to-convert-vhs-home-movies-to-dvd I bought the device for $13 and downloaded the free OBS.
As it turns out some of the older Drum Corps tapes must not have had copy guard because this worked just fine. Two of the tapes would copy but the color kept going in and out and lines would distort the picture.
I wonder, is the copy guard detected by the connecting device or the OBS program?
Moral, it you really just want to convert home movies there is no need to spend big bucks.

[jagabo]

is the copy guard detected by the connecting device or the OBS program?

The device.

[zroboy]

Well rats. I am down to only 2 tapes so I am not going to spend big bucks. I like to make mp4 of these so I can watch on my laptop with my bose headset. Watching the vhs on TV is not the same and I don't have the sound system for it. Besides, my wife won't let me buy a big screen TV. A 19 inch laptop gives the same effect.

[p_l]

is the copy guard detected by the connecting device or the OBS program?

The device.

I'm guessing he means this: https://www.amazon.ca/REDGO-Capture-Converter-Adapter-Support/dp/B01N6WQHPB/ref=sr_1_1...5929788&sr=8-1

[16mmJunkie]

Pet peeve. You don't RIP a VHS tape. You capture it.

Your $50 budget is unrealistic as you'll need an external Time Base Corrector $$$ to remove the copy protection. Add in a quality VCR and quality capture device and you're looking at 10X+ your budget. The upside is you can resell your equipment and recover most of the cost.

If you're willing to spend the money to do your project correctly and with quality, read these articles and threads:

http://www.digitalfaq.com/editorials/digital-video/professional-analog-workflow.htm

http://www.digitalfaq.com/forum/video-restore/1567-vcr-buying-guide.html

http://www.digitalfaq.com/forum/marketplace/8057-sale-complete-workflow.html

This could be a sticky note for all future inquiries


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