Steps to convert your old VHS tapes to digital
Think you can only score free shipping on Amazon? Tap or click for five tricks to get free shipping on most major sites.
You can also go the more personal route. Digitized home movies are an excellent gift — or a fabulous way to relive old memories at your next get-together. Put away the projector and check out the best ways to preserve and share your home movies.
Save your old home movies
Today, you take videos on your smartphone, but I bet you have a stack of VHS tapes full of treasured moments. Tapes degrade over time, so you should do this now to prevent any more wear and tear.
The good news is you can convert home movies to digital and easily enjoy them again while sharing them with others. Here are your options.
LOOK SLIMMER: Say cheese! 5 simple tricks to look better in family photos and selfies
Best VHS to digital converters
You’ll need a VCR or VHS camcorder if you want to go the DIY route to convert your VHS to digital. If you don’t have one, check places like eBay, where you can buy VCRs for as little as $35 to $40.
Ensure the seller has good ratings and ask questions before placing a bid. It can be as simple as asking, “Does it function?” and “When’s the last time you tested it?” You can also try using OfferUp, Facebook Marketplace or some other local sales platform.
You’ll also need a converter like this option from Elgato that digitizes video onto a computer. Simply plug the device into your computer’s USB port and connect your analog video source (VCR, DVD player, DVR, or camcorder) using the included RCA composite or S-video cables.
The included software guides you through every step of capturing your footage. You’ll have to transfer your VHS recordings in real-time, so set aside some time.
Another option is this handheld video-to-digital convertor. You can record and digitize from numerous sources, including your VCR, camcorder, DVD player, or DVR.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
Protect your phone: Steps to take if your device is lost, stolen, or broken
Losing a phone is a nightmare. Are text messages the only thing you have left to remember someone by? Do you know your family and friends’ numbers by heart? How many magical moments have you captured with your phone’s camera?
3 steps to make your (or a family member's) phone safer
When it comes to tech questions, I’ve gotten them all. More than ever, I’m hearing from people inundated with requests from older family members to fix their devices.
Maybe they clicked a bad link, and their computer is acting up. Tap or click for eight signs it’s infected with malware or other malicious software.
3 smartphone tech tips everyone over 50 must know
Embracing the digital age can improve your life, both personally and professionally. But it can be hard to keep up with the crowd if you didn’t grow up with high-tech gadgets like smartphones or tablets. That’s why we’re sharing a few tech skills all folks over 50 should know.
Free tool from Microsoft to recover deleted data
If you’ve ever accidentally deleted a computer file that you needed, you know the panic that ensues immediately after it happens. It’s a terrible feeling, knowing that you don’t have access to the file anymore, especially if it’s something you’ve been working on for a while.
Speed up your PC using this free, easy-to-use program
For many of us now stuck inside, installing and uninstalling new programs on your PC has become the new normal. With all this digital shuffling, it’s important to make sure leftover files don’t accumulate and take up space on your drives.
3 reasons you need IDrive for data backup
Scammers and cyberhackers aren’t taking days off. In fact, coronavirus-related scams are everywhere — and as criminals get smarter, it’s even easier to fall for their tricks.
Don’t risk clicking on the wrong link and losing your important files to nasty ransomware. Even beyond your computer, there can be precious photos or files on a phone or tablet that you don’t want to lose. Back up all your files the right way, and those hackers won’t have a leg to stand on.