Can the VHS recorder be connected to a computer? If so, how is it done?
I know this is somewhat off topic but I asked the question in a PC newsgroup and couldn't get an answer so I came to people who do answer questions.

Thanks~

Check these out.
VHS to PC

I don't really want to convert the VHS to DVD, I just want to be able to play some taped programs and movies on the computer.

When the TV sat unused for almost a year, I decided to get rid of it. But there are these tapes and the VCR still around that I might want to see again. Or maybe not. I'm more a reader anyway.

Thanks~

Is the VHS connection S-video? Do you have an S-video connection on your computer video card? S-video doesn't carry sound, but there might be connectors that also plug into the sound card. I'm thinking Windows would also need a "player" of some kind to recognize the video format. Not really too sure of any of this. It's definitely possible to convert them to DVD so they could then be watched on the computer.

Perhaps this article will help
Watch VHS on PC

I have not tried this I converted my old tapes to DVD using a connection from VHS player to a stand alone DVD recorder.

It is much easier to play audio cassettes on your pc. Simply plug your tape player into your sound card and turn the tape player on. To put anything on your pc it must be converted into digital format. To simply play it you will need a program to do it. For video a tv tuner or capture card may be required.

For audio recordings Goldwave is an excellent reasonably priced program. You get free lifetime updates. It has enough filters to do amazing things. Remember the pops and ticks heard on Lps? How about the hiss and hum on tapes? I was able to remove all of that using Goldwave. I had a 1973 tape of an album I liked that was never released on cd. Managed to record it on the pc and Goldwave removed all the noise. The resulting cd is surprisingly clean.

Rather than S-Video connector the three stereo cable connectors on your vhs will carry both audio and video avoiding the synch required for separate connections. Of course a capture card having the appropriate connectors can be pricy. It my be a better choice to buy a stand alone DVD recorder. You can get them for less than two hundred and use it with your tv just like a vcr.

Any Tuner card (with the appropriate inputs) ought to be able to handle that one.

Check out Hauppauge's line - Hauppauge

Hello,
You need something called a "Video Capture device". This device converts the analog signal from the VHS to a digital signal that the computer can understand.

That's what I was wondering - how do you get the computer to recognize the VHS format and then play it?

The devices will accept analog input and convert it to digital - they also come with software that allows you to either view or capture (record) the video.

I've owned several, they never let me down.

Just so I can keep my brain straight, will sarahandus be able to watch her VHS tapes straight from the video capture device or will she have to convert it and save it as a digital file somewhere in order to watch it?

The Hauppauge cards that I've used will play or capture the video. Mine were basically "tuners" with analog inputs, so there was no difference between running the input from the VHS player to a TV or the card. WinTV can be configured to play either over the air, or from external device sources.

This one ought to work -

Hauppauge - USB-Live2

Watch, capture or record live video from your VCR, camcorder or video camera!

That looks like exactly the thing the sarahandus needs. I'm so glad she started this thread because I've wondered about this since I got some software and a special cable to convert a bunch of old music cassette tapes to digital files. Saved some real oldies, but goodies from the early 1980's.

Thanks for all the help, I knew the great folks here could explain things in the detail even I could understand.

InlandAZ, that device looks like just the ticket and doesn't cost an arm and a leg.

Checking with Newegg they have several, some cheaper. including the Hauppauge one. I know Newegg and trust them, don't know Hauppauge. However since you say you have had good luck with that brand I'll give it a try.

Thanks again~

Let us know how it works out. I'm very interested to see what you think of it.