Want to save your old VHS tapes, or the DVDs you burned yourself, to your computer? A USB capture adapter does it, and it works with almost any VCR or DVD/VCR combo that has red, white and yellow output jacks. Watch the video, or follow the written steps below.
Video Chapters
- 0:00 Intro
- 0:18 What you need
- 0:59 VCR: which jacks to use
- 1:27 DVD/VCR combo: which jacks to use
- 1:52 Connect the capture adapter
- 2:27 OBS: add the VCR
- 3:01 OBS: settings and test
- 3:26 Record a tape
- 3:48 Mac: QuickTime
- 4:17 Quick fixes
What This Guide Covers
The USB Video Capture Kit with any VCR or DVD/VCR combo that has red, white and yellow (composite) output jacks: Sony, Panasonic, Magnavox, Funai, Philips, Samsung, Toshiba, Sanyo and most others. Windows uses free OBS Studio; a Mac uses QuickTime Player, which is already installed.
Step 1: What You Need
- The USB capture adapter: the small black stick with red, white, yellow and black (S-video) leads.
- An RCA cable with red, white and yellow plugs on both ends (included in the kit).
- Your VCR or DVD/VCR combo.
- A Windows PC or Mac with a free USB port. If it only has USB-C, use a small USB-C to USB-A adapter. The kit's USB extension cable helps if the computer is far from the player.
- Time and space: tapes copy in real time (a two-hour tape takes two hours), and each hour of video needs about 1–2 GB.
Step 2: Find the OUT Jacks on a VCR
On the back of the VCR, look for the red, white and yellow group marked OUT. Depending on the brand it may say LINE OUT, AUDIO/VIDEO OUT or just OUT. Skip the jacks marked IN (they're for recording into the VCR) and the round antenna connectors. If your VCR has only one white audio jack, it's a mono VCR and it still works.
Step 3: Find the OUT Jacks on a DVD/VCR Combo
Use the red, white and yellow group marked DVD/VCR OUT, AUDIO/VIDEO OUT or LINE OUT. It's the only group that sends out both tapes and discs. Component, S-video, coaxial digital audio and HDMI are DVD only, and the capture adapter can't use them. Leave the IN jacks alone too.
Step 4: Connect the Capture Adapter
- Plug the RCA cable into the OUT jacks, matching the colors.
- Plug the other end into the matching red, white and yellow jacks on the adapter's leads. Leave the black S-video lead empty. On a mono VCR, use only the white plug.
- Plug the adapter into a USB port on your computer. The green light comes on and the computer sets it up on its own.
- Turn on the VCR. On a combo, press VCR or DVD to pick what you're copying.
Step 5: Set Up OBS Studio (Windows)
- Download OBS Studio free from obsproject.com and open it. If a setup wizard appears, choose Optimize just for recording.
- In the Sources box, click + and pick Video Capture Device. Name it VCR and click OK.
- For Device, choose USB Video. Set Resolution/FPS Type to Custom, the resolution to 720x480 and FPS to 29.97.
- Check Use custom audio device and choose USB Digital Audio. Click OK.
- Right-click the VCR source and choose Resize Output (Source Size).
- Open Settings → Output. The Recording Path is where your videos are saved. Set Recording Format to Hybrid MP4 and click OK.
- Press PLAY on the VCR to test: you should see the picture, and the audio meter in the mixer should move.
Step 6: Record a Tape
Rewind the tape to the start. Click Start Recording in OBS, then press PLAY on the VCR. When the tape ends, click Stop Recording, then press STOP on the VCR. Click File → Show Recordings to open the folder with your new video.
Step 7: On a Mac, Use QuickTime
Open QuickTime Player and choose File → New Movie Recording. If asked, allow access to the camera and microphone. Click the small arrow next to the red record button: under Camera choose USB Video, under Microphone choose the USB audio device. Click the red button, then press PLAY on the VCR. When it's done, click stop, then File → Save. Your video goes to the Movies folder.
Troubleshooting
- Picture is black and white: unplug the adapter and plug it back in. In OBS you can also double-click the source, click Configure Video and set the video standard to NTSC_M.
- No picture: make sure USB Video is selected, close any other app that uses the camera, and on a combo check that it's set to VCR or DVD.
- No sound: check that USB Digital Audio (or the USB audio device on a Mac) is chosen.
- Sound on only one side: that's a mono VCR. In OBS, open Advanced Audio Properties and check Mono.
- Rolling lines: press TRACKING on the VCR.
- A store-bought movie won't record: many are copy-protected. Your home movies are fine.
More walkthroughs are on our Setup Videos page. Stuck? Contact us or leave a comment on the video.
Shop
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- Sony SLV-N55 VHS Transfer Bundle: a fully tested and refurbished VCR with the capture adapter, AV-to-HDMI converter and remote in the box
- All tested VCRs and DVD/VCR combos
- VHS to digital: every way to convert your old tapes
TEKlinq is not affiliated with the OBS Project or Apple. OBS Studio and QuickTime are trademarks of their respective owners.