Looking for the perfect Christmas present?
Converting home movies to digital format is a great way to preserve memories and make them accessible on any device. Plus, it’s easy!
You can convert old family movies on VHS tapes, Super 8 films, and other old media into high-quality digital files that you can share with family and friends anytime, anywhere. You won’t have to worry about fading colors or scratches anymore!
Keep reading to learn more about how this works.
What Does It Mean To Convert To Digital Format?
This means transferring the footage from your old VHS tapes, Super 8 film, and other old media onto a digital file.
You can then edit the files on your computer and upload them to YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, etc., share with family and friends through email, or even load them onto a smartphone or tablet.
This is great because it means you’ll never have to worry about the tape breaking or damage from chemical decay or environmental destruction. Digital files are durable and you can play them on all devices!
What Equipment Do I Need?
If you plan to do this yourseld, you’ll need a functionong VHS player or Super 8 projector and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC).
If you use a VHS video:
An ADC is the only media converter that will transfer your home videos to digital format. You can purchase one online or at your local electronics store. Otherwise, we recommend using a webcam with the EasyCap USB. If the VHS player has a built-in DVD recorder, you can copy your video to a DVD and use an ADC to convert the digital file. TIP – if you want to enhance the quality of your transfer, you should add a time base corrector inline between the VHS player and the ADC.
If you use Super 8 film:
For converting Super 8 films, we recommend using a high definition Digital Camera, a working film projector, and a lens to lens converter. This is the best way to convert the film at home, in a do it yourself environment..
Can I hire a service to do this for me?
Of course! Companies like Envision Video Services specialize in this type of work. The benefit of using a professional company is that they use professional equipment. This means your videos and films will look more clear and crisp. The downside to using a professional company is that, assuming you already have all the equipment needed, it will cost you more than doing it yourself.
What Are The Advantages of Converting To Digital Format?
Quality: Digital files will maintain the quality of your footage for years to come. That means no more dirty, damaged, or broken tapes that are hard to fast-forward! You’ll be able to edit your footage with ease.
Convenience: You’ll be able to load your footage onto any device and share it with family and friends from anywhere in the world!
Accessibility: Digital files are the easiest way to keep home movies accessible for years to come. You can easily store a digital file on a computer, tablet, or any device with a USB card slot.
Peace of Mind: Once you convert your home video to digital format, you’ll always have the footage on hand.
What Are The Disadvantages of Converting To Digital Format?
There aren’t many downsides when you convert film camera to digital format. But here are a few things you might want to think about.
No More Family Heirlooms: Once your parents or grandparents die, you can’t go back and share their home movies with them.
Future-Proofing: The downside of converting to digital is that one day the equipment needed to play these files may become obsolete. So it’s important to have a plan in place after you’ve converted your home videos.
Cost: Converting home movies can be costly if you choose the wrong option, but if chosen carefully, this gift will provide years of enjoyment and satisfaction for family and friends!
Can Converting Home Movies to Digital Format Be A Gift?
Some of the best Christmas gifts are the ones that incorporate our fondest memories. Here are 6 reasons why converting home movies to digital format will make the perfect gift:
1) You Can Easily Play and Share the Footage
Since your videos will be digital files, it makes it easier to share memories with loved ones. Before, this would be a bit difficult. If you wanted to share the footage with someone, you had to physically hand them a VHS or Super 8 film.
With digital files, it’s as simple as sending a file to someone in an email, a text message, or a tweet.
2) Family Can Enjoy These Memories From Anywhere
If your family is across the globe, it’s important to have a way for them to view and share their home movies no matter where they are. Just think of how fun this will be for family gatherings!
Whether you’re under the same roof or miles away from each other, you can easily upload your files to YouTube and share them with friends and family.
3) Footage Quality Will Remain Consistent and Clear
If you convert home videos to digital formats, your footage will be high-quality for years to come.
You’ll no longer need to worry about rewinding or fast-forwarding because tapes can get damaged easily. Some old videotapes can even become sticky and jam the VCR. With digital files, this isn’t an issue.
4) You Can Edit Your Footage With Ease
Editing home movies on a computer has several advantages.
If you convert your files to digital formats, the process of editing is as simple as clicking and dragging with an application like Windows Moviemaker or iMovie. For example, if you want to edit together years of gatherings at grandma’s house for Christmas, you can easily do so with any movie editing software.
This means that you can continue building on these gifts year after year.
5) Peace of Mind
Once you’ve converted your home videos to digital formats, they’ll always be accessible which will provide peace of mind.
In the past, if an old VHS or a Super 8 film broke, it meant losing all of your footage. With digital files, this isn’t an issue anymore! For example, with iMovie, if a file gets corrupted or your hard drive crashes, you can still recover the footage.
6) Makes a Great Family Heirloom
Home movies are already meaningful in their own right. But once they’re converted to digital formats, it makes them that much more valuable. You’ll have a way of showcasing old memories for years to come.
And you’ll always have compatible devices to share them on. This makes keeping the family heirloom easier.
Get Started With Your Home Video Conversion
Now you know a bit more about converting home movies to digital format. It makes it a lot easier to share memories and give gifts that people will love for years.
It’s a simple process to get started. And if you need help or want someone to do the work for you — give us a call. We would be honored to work with you!