Converting Vhs Tapes To .....?

[Arrods]

Hi. I'm arranging for a few old VHS tapes (children's memories etc) to be 'digitalised' for posterity by a local firm. I'm currently playing them through my VCR to sort out the ones to save.

The company doing the conversion has said they're happy to transfer the tapes to a digital format 'such as' .mp4 files and, if required, provide a USB drive.

I'd like to then be able to edit the files myself down to watchable viewing length.

Does anyone have any tips on what I now need to do? E.g. are .mp4 files what I need or are there any other suitable files. I guess I need to download some editing software? All suggestions gratefully received. Thank you.

[woofgang]

can I suggest that you ask the company who are doing the work for you?

[Arrods]

Yes woofgang, I should have said I will, but AB is also a good source of info.

[ToraToraTora]

MP4 files are fine to edit, VLC is probably the best free tool to do that.

[Arrods]

Thanks TTT. Can I also transfer the MP4 files to a DVD (with the appropriate equipment)? Some of the 'older' folk (OK I'm 74 nearly) only have DVD players.

[barry1010]

Yes you can transfer to DVD but not all DVD players can play that format although most can

[bhg481]

Video DVDs are like music CDs in that they are written in a special format ie, there are files written to the DVD other than just those containing the video. If you have any DVDs put them in your computer and Explore them.

[Tuvok]

Barry1010 is right.

Some DVD players will play MP4 files BUT

the file may have to be within a set resolution - too big and it won't play

the file may have to be at the root of the DVD and not in a folder - yet on another player it would have to be in a folder

Your best option would be to create a proper DVD - not just put the file on a DVD disk.

What operating system are you using - then we can source the relevant programmes for you.

[Arrods]

Whoaa! I've a fairly new DVD player that plays pre-recorded DVDs on my Smart TV. I've just put a pre-recorded DVD into my PC and nothing happens, though I think I may need to download some DVD player app.

Not sure what you meant by 'Explore' them?

[Arrods]

Is Widows 10 my operating system?

[Arrods]

'Your best option would be to create a proper DVD - not just put the file on a DVD disk.'

Apologies for all my silly questions, but what is the difference please/how do I go about it?

[bhg481]

By "Explore" I mean open the disc rather than play it. "Explorer" is the Microsoft program that you use when you look at the contents of a directory. Put the disc into the DVD reader on your computer; when it's settled right-click and chose "open".
Alternatively, when you close the disc drawer it might automatically offer "view contents".

[Tuvok]

You will need a player to watch on the computer

https://www.videolan.org/vlc/download-windows.en-GB.html

[Arrods]

Have done that and it comes up with a number of apps from the Microsoft store.

[Tuvok]

A pre-recorded DVD stores the files in 2 folders within the disk, but the files are in a specific format.

To make your own one you need a DVD Authoring programme.

If you just put a file onto the disk via Windows then you have just made a normal computer disk (data disk) NOT a DVD

[Arrods]

Thanks Tuvok. Not sure I'll need to be able to play on the PC. All I really want to do is put the (edited) tapes on to some digitalised medium for people to watch on their TVs via a DVD player.

[Tuvok]

I haven't tried these programs, but it gives you an idea of what is needed

https://videoconverter.wondershare.com/convert-dvd/dvd-authoring-software.html

[Gizmonster]

Can you not ask them to convert the VHS tapes to DVD instead? Much easier for playback.
I have a machine that will record to and from a hard drive; VHS and DVD.
I've converted quite a few old VHS tapes of friends' weddings, etc and put them on a DVD :)

[Arrods]

Thanks Gizmonster. I may well need to do that if I can't work it out myself, but the important thing is to get them edited first to manageable levels.

[bhg481]

Giz 0 Arrods wants to edit the conversion before writing the DVDs.

[jennyjoan]

Gizmo on your machine can you convert a DVD to video tape