Bringing your VHS memories back

Bringing your VHS memories back!

8/20/2020

Guest author Soledad Buznego shares tips on how to digitize your VHS family videos!

This summer I challenged myself to bring back all my childhood memories that were sleeping at my parent’s house in boxes and boxes. If you are an 80s kid like me, you will then know that the only format that can give testimony of how you looked, how you moved, how you played and how you sounded are VCR videos.

I did know it wasn't going to be an easy task – not because of the IT part, as I consider myself a bit nerdy on that aspect – but because it meant bringing back vivid pictures that captured the essence of so many people whom I loved and who are sadly not here with me anymore (my grandpas, aunts, uncles). So, I prepared myself for an emotional task – oh yeah!

Photo Credit "In Joy Organization"

Bottom of VHS cassette tape; black with white circles; background is a light pink wall

Photo credit Pexels

KonMari tackles sentimental items (such as photos, memorabilia, heirlooms, etc.) as the last category of the tidying festival, because when you reach to this point you have already honed your spark joy sensibility and are in a better position to decide whether an item will serve a good purpose in your life. By the time I did my tidying festival -I have to be honest- I didn’t check these cassettes (shame on me! I know) but mainly because I had forgotten they even existed and because they were not 100% mine, they were my whole family’s.

I knew my project would mean bringing my entire family history back into the 21st century: making them easy to watch, easy to share, and easy to store. So, how did I digitalize my VHS memories? Here’s the recipe that worked for me:

Ingredients:

1. The actual cassettes (I had both little ones and the large ones)
2. A working VCR (I didn’t own one but was able to get it at one of the Goodwill Houston stores for around $12 – totally worth it + supporting a good cause)
3. A video capture tool – I ended up choosing the brand "elgato". It was very user-friendly. Whichever brand you end up choosing, just make sure it has the USB port to connect to the computer + the 3-colored cords to connect to your VCR.
4. (Optional) A VCR cassette adapter (if you have the little cassettes as I did)
5. A computer – with a working USB port

Rows of small VHS tapes for video cameras

VCR cassette adaptor in black; it is used to put a small cassette tape from a video camera to fit into a normal sized VCR

silver apple laptop computer with black keys and screen on a white and grey marble counter top

Directions:

*Note: I used the "elgato" video capture tool, so these instructions are specific to that program and my devices. The same general format should be applicable to other programs and tools.

1. Install the software program that comes with the video capture tool onto your computer.

2. Connect your computer to the VCR, using these 3-colored cords. Don’t worry, the software program actually guides you through this step. 3. When all parts have been connected, you will need to turn your VCR on, insert the cassette you want to digitalize, and push “Play”.

4. On your computer, you will need to push the big red “Start Recording” button, so that your video is actually recorded.

Hand plugging in red yellow white cords for VHS to video capture device (devices not shown, only the cords)

Photo credit In Joy Organization

5. Once done, you will have the chance to trim your video before it’s completed and saved into an .mp4 format into your computer.

6. Once saved, feel free to categorize your files so that it is easier to find your memories. I categorized mine into years>events (yes, they are in Spanish as my whole family is in Argentina).

Screenshot of computer video files organized by date

Photo credit In Joy Organization

7. All set! I was able to upload my files into my Google Drive account and share them with my whole family. Super exciting!
The feeling of having brought back all those amazing memories was priceless. So, I really hope that with these steps you are a little bit closer to bringing them back yourself. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at hello@injoyorganization.com

Soledad Buznego is a certified KonMari Consultant who uses her degree in educational psychology to help people set personal goals and tidy their homes! She loves guiding people and providing the support that they need for every step of the journey towrads leading a more joyful life. Learn more at her website: https://injoyorganization.com/

*Disclaimer: Flourish Organizing may receive commissions from some links.

From the desk of Laura