How to Convert VHS to Digital and Upscale VHS Video to 4K/ 8K
- Last updated on 2025-04-27
Table Of Content
Introduction
Suppose your shelves are overloaded with a vast collection of old VHS cassette tapes filled with old movies, television recordings, and homemade videos of weddings and birthday parties of your loved ones. In that case, it's time to enjoy them on your HD device display by following the simple method to convert VHS to digital. This article will guide you through the process of converting VHS to digital using simple tools and techniques with video upscaling options.
What is VHS?
Video Home System is the complete form of VHS, a video cassette tape format played in a VCR (Video Cassette Recorder). Blank VHS tapes are used in the VCR to record television programming on analog TV for later viewing at your convenience.
There are also VHS tapes of theatrically released movies that can be played on VCRs to enjoy them on your analog TV. VHS tapes have also been used in cameras to record events such as weddings, live concerts, birthday parties, etc.
What You Need to Convert VHS to Digital
Hardware:
- VCR (Video Cassette Recorder): You need a working VCR to play your VHS tapes.
- VHS-to-Digital Converter (Capture Device): A device that connects your VCR to your computer and records the analog signal digitally.
Recommended Converters:
- Elgato Video Capture – High-quality, easy setup, very popular.
- ClearClick Video2Digital Converter – No computer needed, records directly to USB or SD card.
- VIDBOX Video Conversion Suite – Bundles capture device and software, beginner-friendly.
Cables:
- RCA Composite Cables (Red, White, Yellow) or S-Video Cable for better image quality (if supported).
Computer:
- A PC or Mac with enough storage space to save large video files.
Software:
- OBS Studio (Free) – Powerful and customizable for capturing.
- Elgato Video Capture Software – Comes free with Elgato device.
- HandBrake (Free) – Used after capture for compressing and converting formats.
- Roxio Easy VHS to DVD – Paid option, simple workflow.
How to Set Up Everything
Connect your VCR to the Capture Device
Use RCA cables or an S-Video cable to connect the output of the VCR to the input of the converter.
Connect the Capture Device to Your Computer
Plug the converter’s USB end into your PC or Mac.
Install the Required Software
Install OBS, Elgato Video Capture, or the software that comes with your capture device.
Prepare Your VHS Tape
Rewind the tape to the beginning and check that the content you want to digitize is intact.
Step-by-Step: How to Convert VHS to Digital
Launch Your Capture Software
Open OBS, Elgato Video Capture, or other recording software.
Configure Video and Audio Settings
Select the capture device as your video source.
Choose appropriate settings: NTSC for North America, PAL for Europe.
Preview and Adjust
Play the VHS tape and check video and audio levels. Adjust brightness or volume if needed.
Start Recording
Hit the Record button as the tape plays. Record in real time — a 2-hour tape takes 2 hours to digitize.
Save the Digital File
Once done, stop recording and save the file in a common format like MP4, AVI, or MOV.
Best Way to Enhance and Upscale Digitized VHS Video
After you convert VHS to digital, you might notice the video looks blurry or noisy — typical for old VHS recordings. To make your videos look stunning on modern displays, you can further enhance and upscale your digitized videos for a sharper, more cinematic experience using AI technology.
UniFab AI Video Enhancer offers a smart and simple way to upgrade your digitized VHS to 4K/8K/16K for a high-definition viewing experience.
Key Features of UniFab
- Upscale video up to 16K
Transform your videos to SD, HD, 4K, 8K resolution, or even 16K, enhancing every detail for an immersive viewing experience.
- AI-Driven Enhancement
Leverage advanced AI to intelligently detect and correct issues such as compression artifacts, detail loss, noise, over-sharpening halos, jagged edges, and blurriness.
- Universal Model
It sharpens video to enhance clarity and definition, optimize color, and restore all the essential and lost details.
- Animation Model
It preserves all the teeny tiny details of your favorite cartoon or anime characters and adds details to any motion graphics.
- Flexible Format Conversion
Easily convert digitized VHS videos into popular formats like MKV and MP4, ensuring maximum compatibility and accessibility across devices and platforms.
- Batch Processing & Customization
To save time and energy, you can upscale multiple VHS videos simultaneously and customize the output VHS video profile while adjusting various parameters such as codec, resolution, output format, etc.
How to Upscale Digitized VHS to 4K or More
30-day Free Trial with full feature access!
Launch the UniFab program on your Windows or Mac, navigate to the left function panel, and click “All Features.” From the 'Video AI' section, choose the 'Upscaler' mode. Then, upload your low-quality VHS video.
Adjust parameters such as resolution, model, codec, and format as needed.
Once configured, click “Start” to initiate the upscaling process.
Tips for a Better VHS-to-Digital Experience
- Use S-Video over RCA: S-Video offers slightly sharper images if both your VCR and capture device support it.
- Clean Your VCR Heads: Dirty heads can cause glitches or fuzzy videos.
- Record in Segments: For long tapes, record important sections separately for easier editing later.
- Backup Immediately: Save a copy on an external hard drive or cloud storage.
Conclusion
By learning how to convert VHS to digital, you can preserve your valuable memories and make them future-proof. Whether you want to convert old VHS to digital or digitize VHS movies, the process is easier than ever. However, the converted videos often suffer from poor quality due to the low resolution and outdated recording technology of VHS. To truly relive your memories in stunning clarity, try UniFab Video Upscaler AI, which uses advanced AI automation to upscale VHS to 4K quality.
FAQs about Converting VHS to Digital
Can you convert VHS tapes to digital?
Yes, you can convert VHS tapes to digital using a VHS-to-digital converter, a VCR connected to a capture card on your computer, or by using professional transfer services.
Is It Legal to Convert VHS to Digital?
To convert VHS to Digital legally, you have to follow the below parameters:
- You must own the copyright of the VHS video
- You must have the owner's permission if the content is not yours
- You must ensure that the content is not be misused
- Ensure the fair use of the content
What is the Recording Capacity of the VHS Cassette Tape?
A VHS cassette can contain around a maximum of 430 m/ 1,410ft of tape with a minimum thickness of the tape. The maximum playing time of this tape is around 4 hours in 240/DF480 for NTSC and 5 hours in E-300 for PAL with “Standard Play” quality.
Is There Any Way to Convert DVD to Digital?
Yes. You can convert DVD to digital by using DVD ripping software that extracts the video content from the disc and saves it in a digital format like MP4, MKV, or AVI. Tools like UniFab DVD Ripper allow you to do this efficiently, bypassing encryption and preserving video quality. Once digitized, the file can be stored, edited, or enhanced using other tools like UniFab Video Enhancer AI.