Transfering your old VHS to DVD and then uploading them to the cloud.
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What is the best software to burn my family VHS videos to DVD?
Are you worried about your family history being lost due to outdated formats like VHS? If so, you are not alone: now that VHS players are no longer being produced, you are right to worry because once your VHS players stop working it means that you can no longer enjoy your family movies.
And what will happen with the next generation, who aren’t going to have old VHS players in the garage?
Sharing family films with your children, especially films which feature family members who have passed away will be nearly impossible if you leave them on VHS. Thankfully, you don’t have to leave your family movies on VHS to rot away. Transferring them to DVD is the first step to preserving them for future generations and making them accessible to watch for other people in your family who want to enjoy family history. To do this, you will need the right software and tools.
Let’s take a closer look at the best software you can use to transfer your family movies from VHS to DVD.
Roxio Easy VHS to DVD 3 Plus
This is the most accessible software that anyone with access to a computer should be able to use. With the Roxio software, you will be able to connect your VHS player or camcorder right to your computer using a USB device. From there, all you have to do is use the installed Roxio software to capture the movies, transfer them and then burn them onto a DVD or even convert them into files you can store on your phone, the digital cloud, Facebook or YouTube. Best of all, the Roxio software isn’t just a convertor: you can actually stabilize shaky old home videos, trim them if you want, or split them into different DVDs by theme, year, and people who are in the film, and so on. For example, you could create a DVD solely of children’s Christmas concerts, family birthday videos, and so on.
Golden Videos VHS to DVD Converter
Like Roxio, this is fairly accessible software that allows you to easily convert family movies on VHS to DVD. This software works similarly to the Roxio software. You connect your VHS player to your computer, use the software to capture and transfer the footage, and from there you can burn it onto DVD or convert it into a file that can be shared online or stored in the cloud. There are some more complex video editor tools with this software, such as automatic stabilization and the ability to add subtitles and even special effects. If you are looking to do more than simply capture the videos as-is, then this is a good software option that will let you play around with your family videos in a more complex way.
Remember: VHS tapes do not last forever. If you are worried about sharing home movies with your children and grandchildren and others in your family, then make sure you back them up to DVD so they can be cherished forever.
Uploading DVDs to the cloud.
Now that you have digitized your VHSs into DVDs, you already know how fun it is to pop in a DVD and relive your family history at the push of a button. But did you know that DVDs are actually quite limiting when it comes to sharing and preserving family movies? Let’s take a closer look at the limitations of family films on DVD and how you can transfer the DVDs of your family movies onto the cloud to the benefit of your entire family—and to the benefit of preserving your family history.
Limitations of Using DVDs for Family Videos
DVDs are a step up from VHS, which is now an outdated method of film preservation. However, there are still some limitations to having family movies on DVDs. The two most significant limitations are as follows. One, the fact that DVDs do not last forever: They can be lost, scratched, and eventually will not work due to the natural degradation of the DVD material. The second limitation is that you can’t easily share DVDs with other people in your family, which makes sharing family movies more difficult than it has to be; for instance, if you want to share your childhood home movies with your sister who lives across the country, there’s no easy way to make a copy of the DVD for her.
The solution to this problem is simple: transfer DVDs to the digital cloud. This way, family history, and family films can be shared using an easy digital file that can be sent to whomever you would like. The file will also be backed up on the cloud so that if something ever happens to the DVD, you have a copy and your family history isn’t lost.
How to Transfer DVDs onto the Digital Cloud
Now that you know that you want to transfer your family movies DVDs onto the cloud, all you need to do is follow the step by step guide that will teach you how to back up your DVDs on the cloud for easy sharing and storage.
Step One: Transfer the DVDs to a computer
You will first need to transfer the DVD files onto a computer. This will almost always require using a software program, since most DVDs are encoded and it’s not as simple as dragging a file onto your laptop or computer desktop.
Step Two: Check the format
Once you have the DVD video files onto your computer, you will need to make sure they are in an accessible format. The most accessible format today is “.mp4,” so this is the format you should aim for, as it can be viewed on almost all smart phones, laptops, computers and tablets. If you are using a software program, it will give you the option to choose the format.
Step Three: Upload to your preferred cloud—and share!
Next, upload it to your preferred cloud service such as Google Drive. Then share with friends and family and enjoy the fact that your family history is now accessible and preserved.
Should you store your files on YouTube?
It’s becoming easier than ever to backup family mementos in ways that allow you to share them with the rest of your family—but what about family movies? Unlike family photos, movies aren’t as easily uploaded to sites where your family can privately access them to view family history. One option that many people are turning to in order to store family films is YouTube. But should you store your family history on YouTube? Let’s take a closer look at the options you have for storing family movies using this service.
Uploading to YouTube
There are three primary ways that you can upload family films to YouTube: public videos, private videos and unlisted videos. Each of these video options has its pros and cons when it comes to uploading family movies.
Public Videos
Public videos are completely available to the public. Anyone can technically find your family movies if they happen to come across them using the search function. This also means that the videos can be shared and embedded by anyone on the internet. It is not the best option if you want your family movies to be private, or if the information or content on the videos is something you (or someone in the video) wouldn’t want to be shared with the world. This option does allow for easier access for family members because they won’t have to follow special links or get invited, but it does come with the drawbacks of no privacy.
Private Videos
Private videos can only be viewed by people who have been specifically invited to view the video. This means that anyone who wants to view the video has to have a YouTube account, and you (or whoever decides to upload the videos) have to invite them. This is the ultimate private option on YouTube, as it allows you to grant exclusive control over who can view the video. This option is limited to 50 accounts, so it’s not ideal if you want to share the video with a massive amount of family members.
Unlisted Videos
Unlisted videos can technically be viewed by anyone—however; they cannot be found using the search function and can only be discovered by people who have the specific link to the video. You can then give out this link to a select group of people whom you want to see your family movies. The upside to this option is that people can view it without having a YouTube account or waiting to be invited/approved; the downside is that the videos are technically not private and if someone gives out the link in a public location, other people could view the video.
If you want to store your family movies on YouTube, carefully consider the above options when making your decision.
To learn how to film your grandparent with a smart phone click here.
To learn how to back up your old photos click here.
To learn how to convert old family slides click here.
To learn how to Label Your old photo digital scans by using metadata click here.
At Silver Screen Family, our mission is to help families create beautiful films that capture the stories and experiences of their elders, ensuring that they are remembered and cherished for generations to come.
First and foremost, creating a film about your elders is a wonderful opportunity to preserve their legacy. Our parents and grandparents have lived through times and events that we may not have experienced ourselves. By documenting their stories and experiences, we can ensure that their legacy is passed down accurately and authentically. Moreover, these stories can help us to understand the world from their perspective, which can be incredibly enlightening and valuable.
Secondly, creating an heirloom-quality film is a perfect way to honor and show gratitude to your elders. Our elders are often the ones who have laid the foundation for our lives and our society. By creating a beautiful and heartwarming film about their life, you are showing them that their hard work and dedication have not gone unappreciated.
At Silver Screen Family, we work with you to create a unique and personalized film that captures every aspect of your elders' lives. Our experienced team combines visual elements with insightful interviews to create a beautiful and compelling film that you and your family will want to return to for years to come.
In conclusion, a well-made film about your elders is an invaluable investment for your family. It allows you to preserve their legacy and honour their contributions, offer them therapeutic benefits, and create a treasured heirloom that can be passed down through future generations. We at Silver Screen Family are committed to providing you with a personalized and high-quality service, and we would be honoured to help you create a beautiful film about your elders.
Thank you for considering our services.
