Transfering old videos to more modern formats

[Spatial]

Just wondered if anyone had any suggestions for the best way to do this?

We've got a load of old footage from home videos that we'd like to transfer for safe keeping - I don't think the new format is really that important, but something that isn't going to degrade over time is what we're after (so MPEG, AVI or DVD etc).

I remember looking into one of those cheap USB devices that you put your RCA cable into but never could get that to work. I see more modern solutions like this

http://www.play.com/PC/PCs/4-/7791395/Hauppauge-HD-PVR-USB-High-Definition-Video-Recorder-01228/Product.html?searchstring=&searchtype=allproducts& searchsource=2&searchfilters=ae212{646620,648062}% 2b&urlrefer=search

but then the price seems a bit steep. Are there any other options out there I should be looking at?

[speedlolita]

If you have it on VHS, perhaps you could run it through a DVD recorder (maybe someone you know has one?) and then bung the DVDs in your PC and rip them using Handbrake.

[Lyris]

A DVD recorder is the fastest way. If you use a PC device you need to get involved with codecs, encoding, audio sync issues, etc.

[killy]

I used this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SANDISK-V-...#ht_500wt_1156

The quality is not bad and you can transfer it to Memory card, I think in mp4 format.

[Lyris]

Wow, that looks even better. A hardware device to do the dirty work is the best "quick and easy" option.

[Spatial]

Having Internet issues at the moment so having to resort to posting on my phone, which means I can't check out much from that link. Will have a look later, but thanks for the suggestions all. That Sandisk price point certainly sounds a bit more appealing

[Sketcz]

AverMedia sell a variety of capture boxes for around ?120. I use one for game screens and video - but they have other varieties. As long as you can pop Comp cables in you should be fine. The one I've got has a little remote so you can sit back and push record as and when you want to. Most handy!

[stevie vip 99]

Photo shops will transfer different media to dvd etc, Im sure they could do vhs.