I sold 150,000 tapes at $80 each. You could say, “I blew up!”
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.
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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.
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Have you checked around the house? You could be sitting on a fortune
Want to make some extra money or even start a new career? Kim recently interviewed a woman who created a successful Etsy shop out of her home. Here’s how to start your own reselling business.
They say you can’t go back, but that’s not stopping people from spending tons of money on relics from their past. eBay helped to kickstart the online auction craze, but it’s not alone when it comes to big-ticket items. Sites like Heritage Auctions and RR Auction are giving eBay a run for its money.
Save your home movies from VHS before it’s too late
Your home tapes start fading away after 10 to 30 years. I’ll show you how to save those memories before they’re gone for good.
📼 Cassettes have A and B sides, and they were replaced by the CD: Big-time artists like Taylor Swift and Olivia Rodrigo are releasing new music on cassette tapes so Gen Z can discover that nostalgic crackling sound (paywall link). Surprise, they have no idea how to use them! Pro tip: Get the teen in your life a Walkman for cool points.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
Tech tip: Convert your old VHS tapes into digital format
The way we view and capture footage has changed over time. While many people still prefer to shoot on film, digital is easier to share, and the storage potential is massive.
Your smartphone has turned video capture into an almost careless practice. You can shoot just about as much as you want and quickly delete what you don’t need. But how do you share videos with others? Tap or click here for tips on putting together a movie from various clips for friends and family.
Tech how-to: Convert old CDs, tapes and vinyl to digital
Do you remember the last time you listened to music on a CD? If not, you’re not alone. As we’ve transitioned into the digital age, many of our media staples like discs, tapes and records have gone the way of the dinosaurs in favor of streamed digital files from subscription services.
We’re gonna need a pencil over here: Gen Z, who’s now obsessed with all things nostalgic, is bringing back the cassette tape. To play those tapes, new, snazzy portable cassette players are hitting the streets. Break out your tape collection and snag one. Here’s a cheap option, a middle-of-the-road option and a high-end pick.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
Libraries make “shhh” happen: You know those little libraries where neighbors give a book or borrow a book? “Free Blockbuster” neighborhood boxes work the same way, except you can give or borrow VHS tapes and DVDs for free, no strings attached. With over 200 locations, I love this idea!
VHS movies are big sellers for big bucks
Have a pile of old VHS tapes in your closet? Here’s how to see if you have a valuable one, in one minute.
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Scam calls are on their way down, while scammy texts are increasing. Here’s what to do about it. Plus, Amazon is finally taking responsibility for lousy third-party products, and Kim, Ben and Allie reminisce about the first MP3, Napster and even tapes.