VIDBOX - Video Conversion for PC - Windows

I got a few tapes and I was able to make copies of old videos in DVD I like it

Good for transfer old videotape and make a dvd and saved in computer

Good to make copies of old videos of old memories!

I bought this needing to transfer old family VHS tapes to digital and it works very good. It is very easy to hook up. It uses standard RCA or S-Video to transmit video signal from the VCR. S-Video will not work for VHS transfer on VCR/DVD combo units. You must still have the White/Red audio RCA plugs plugged in as well if using the S-Video cable (Which is NOT supplied with the kit). Only the RCA cable and USB cable is supplied. It connects from the VCR out RCA connections or S-Video and RCA audio out into the connector box, Then plug the mini-USB end into the connector box, and the Full USB end into the computer. Software installation is pretty straight forward and has very easy step by step use when launching the program. Starts with what kind of file you are transferring (Video, or Audio) , Then what type of connection you are using to complete the transfer (RCA, or S-Video) . Then you set a timer for how long you want to record for. (I just fast forwarded the VHS tape to the end and counted the timer on the VCR to know how long to set the record for, then rewinded the tape again.) It was a little confusing to me at first setting the timer though, as the slide bar only shows a 1, 2, 3, 4 etc . Each number is the hour length you want to record, and then you can select the minute length between each hour. After that a recording screen will come up that will have a small live preview box of your recording, and on this screen you can name the file to what you want it, and what aspect ratio you want to record in (4:3, or 16:9 for video transfers, I prefer to use the 16:9). Then just hit play on the VCR, wait for the video to come up in the preview box and when the video gets to the spot you want to start recording, just hit the red "RECORD" button. When recording starts, the "record" lettering will turn from white to yellow. There is a gray "STOP" button next to it that you can use to stop recording if needed. I found it better not to use this button because I had some instances where I decided to use it, and the software ended up not recording the video. So, I just set the timer and let it runs it's course. It has always worked fine for that method. After your recording is finished, a screen will pop up over the record screen, giving you a preview screen where you can fully review your recording, (Play, Stop, Short Skip, and Beginning and End Skipping) and also asks what you would like to do with your recording. It gives the options (Open File Location, Convert to .MP4 file (which is going to be your option to save and view on your computer, and also later edit if you need to in a video editor (I use windows video editor), and also burn to a DVD at a later time) and it also gives the option to transfer to DVD right away. (I have not used this option yet)). When you convert to .MP4 after the recording is finished, Another screen will pop up with more options for the conversion which includes (Video Resolution (640x480, 720x480, 720x576, and 1024x768), Video Quality (Normal, Good, and Best. Each of which raises the file size.) and Output Folder location (so you can select a specific folder you want to save the file to.)) Then hit the "disk" icon on the lower right and it will begin the conversion. It does take quite a while for the conversion, so be patient with it. I always use 1024x768, and Best settings for the conversion. A 2 hour video transfer equals just over 2000mb, or 2GB in file space and takes 20-30 minutes to convert to .MP4 I find it best not to do anything anything else on the computer during the recording time, as I fear messing up the recording somehow and having to sit through another 2 hours of recording, but I usually just get up and do other things while it records. I have surfed the internet and had it recorded fine as well but again I prefer to just leave it alone with no interference. It is also important to make sure you turn off your power saving on the computer as to not have the computer go into sleep mode during the recording process as it will mess up the file and you will have to start again. Overall this product works very good, and is great in bringing back a lot of memories left on those old VHS tapes. The only problem I have encountered with the software is with ending recording early and it not recording any of the video it just captured. Only 4/5 stars due to that, as it is a major function of the recording process and should function correctly. (Again the set timer method of recording works absolutely fine) Definitely a must have if you have a lot of old VHS tapes you would like to have transferred to digital or DVD.

This product worked like a charm for our purpose. I would highly recommend to anyone needing to move recordings from tape media to a computer/DVD/flash drive. We have an old Sony camcorder that used the small cassettes (video 8, I believe). The recordings needed to be transferred to a different media before the tape became brittle and wouldn't play back. We also had a couple VHS cassettes that had home movies of family and friends that were in the same situation. Transfer services seemed to be a flat fee per tape regardless of how much was recorded on it. Some of our tapes had less than an hour so this was hard to justify. The VIDBOX software was easy to install and followed basic file management layout and logic. It connected easily with the provided cables - to the laptop via USB and the camcorder and VCR with audio/video cables (red/yellow/white jacks). Playing the tapes back for the transfer is little time consuming but that enabled stopping at the end of each recording and naming it something useful. Have not tried to edit any of the recordings but don't anticipate it to be a problem as they are mp* files.