Making digital backups of VHS / Video 8 camcorder tapes

[acromite53 | 339]

Anyone have experience with digitally transferring VHS / Video 8 tapes from camcorders? My Sony Handycam has a Composite mono video output. What kind of device can I use to capture the footage? Just a capture card like an elgato? Same principles as recording game footage? If so, what is the best capture device? Should I upscale to HDMI first? Obtaining the best capture possible is important. I only want to do this once and do it right, since i have about 35 tapes to get through.. Thank you all.

Edited January 11, 2021 by acromite53

[OptOut | 9,445]

Yeah it's easy! Just point your smartphone at the screen while you play the tape on your TV and press record!

Of course, you gotta be sure to yell at the kids to shut up before you start tho, and hold the phone upright in portrait mode, as it's easier to keep steady in one hand!

[Jicsan | 623]

I just converted all of our old Christmas VHS tapes for my parents.  Since I had an Elgato HD60 S (I bought for my kids interest in making their own YouTube videos, that lasted about three hours lol), I just bought a $10 composite to HDMI converter box and used it to hook the VCR right into the Elgato.  The result turned out pretty good.  I still need a way to play a HI8 tape that has my wedding on it so I can get that converted.  We've never even seen that video.