VHS Camcorders
The camcorder is an electronic device that combines a video camera with a videocassette recorder. Vintage video recorders are tape-based, meaning that the frames of the moving image are recorded on film stored on spools within a VHS, DV, miniDv, or 8mm cassette tape. This motion picture camera was originally designed for television broadcasting and news shows, and the first professional and consumer models were released in 1983.
Is any additional equipment needed to use a camcorder?Most such cameras come equipped with everything needed for filming and recording, including lenses and rechargeable batteries. Additional lenses may be used with some cameras, and some models may require disposable batteries. Video playback methods may vary depending on the type of video media used by the device. VHS tapes can be played directly in a VC player. VHS-Compact (VHS-C) tapes can be played in a VCR using an adapter. You can also use cables to connect your 8mm camcorder to your television for direct video playback.
How do you play 8mm tapes in a VCR?In order to play the content of your vintage 8mm tapes on a video cassette player, the content must first be recorded in VHS format. To do this, just follow these simple steps:
- Connect the yellow composite/S-Video and red and white analog stereo outputs of your video recording equipment to the VHS recorder.
- Place a blank tape in the VCR's VHS slot.
- Start the player's recording feature, and then press \"Play\" on your camcorder.
When the playback is finished, you will have a VHS tape of your content that can then be played on any VCR. The same concept works with a DVD recorder as well.
How do you transfer VHS tapes to a computer?In order to transfer your tapes to digital files, you will need to connect your video recorder to your PC or laptop using an analog-to-digital video converter. This process is simple enough:
- First - Plug the yellow, red, and white output cables of the camcorder into the corresponding inputs on the converter.
- Second - Plug the converter into the computer using a USB port.
- Third - Use converter software to prepare and save the digital files.
Alternatively, you can send your vintage tapes to a video duplication service to have them converted to DVD, which could then be loaded on your computer. Your files will then be ready to show the world.