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Converting Vhs Tapes To .....?

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Arrods | 11:02 Thu 14th Jan 2021 | Technology
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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.
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can I suggest that you ask the company who are doing the work for you?
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Yes woofgang, I should have said I will, but AB is also a good source of info.
MP4 files are fine to edit, VLC is probably the best free tool to do that.
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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.
Yes you can transfer to DVD but not all DVD players can play that format although most can
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.
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.
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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?
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Is Widows 10 my operating system?
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'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?
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".
You will need a player to watch on the computer

https://www.videolan.org/vlc/download-windows.en-GB.html
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Have done that and it comes up with a number of apps from the Microsoft store.
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

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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.
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
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 :)
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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.
Giz 0 Arrods wants to edit the conversion before writing the DVDs.
Gizmo on your machine can you convert a DVD to video tape

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