We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Privacy policy
Automatically convert your audio and video to text using our high-end AI engines.
Let our transcribers perfect your text.
Add subtitles and captions to your videos automatically using our subtitle generator.
Original captions or translated subtitles are created and edited by our subtitlers.
Translated subtitles of unparalleled quality.
Add our Speech-to-text API to your stack and/or request a tailored model.
For filmmakers, production companies, and TV networks.
For universities, e-learning platforms, and schools.
For policy makers, public organizations, and NGOs.
For hospitals and medical research organizations.
For law firms, courts, and compliance teams.
Explore the world of Transcription and Subtitles.
Read how Amberscript helps customers achieve their business goals.
Find the answer on all questions you might have when working with Amberscript.
Get in touch and we will answer your questions.
We make audio accessible.
The wedding ceremony of a 60-year-old marriage. The recording of the birth process of a now-grown son. The naming ceremony of a dear son. The graduation ceremony of one’s dad. The list is endless. What list? This is a list of memories that one might decide to keep individually or as a family for generations to come. Alternatively, it might be the perfect gift from a doting child to his parents on the celebration of their wedding anniversary. It is important to keep the memory alive, either as a gift for a loved one or a personal collection.However, most of these videos are old, and most likely, they are only available in videotape recordings known as VHS. This poses a longevity problem because, after some years, these recordings are lost in mold infection or complete decay. If you still have some stored in good condition and want to preserve the memories for generations to come, what you need is a VHS to digital converter or a capture card. Using a VHS to digital converter or capture card helps you digitize the recordings and safely keep them on different storage platforms. There are two available methods available to anyone that wants to convert their VHS to a digital file.
The process of using a VHS to digital converter is a simple one that doesn’t require much expertise. Though the steps involved are straightforward, the whole operation takes time and might require hours depending on the length of the video. However, time is just a small price to pay for saving the memories from eternal extinction.
For digitization, you need a VCR. It might be challenging to get a new one, but if you can get a second-hand VCR in good shape, then it is all fine. Alternatively, if you remember keeping a VCR in the attic, it might be time to get the brush and do some digging. If the VCR is still in shape, then you are in luck.
Next, you need a VHS digital converter. It is a simple device that you can get online at a tech store. There are some VHS to digital converters available for sale. Your budget and the importance of this project would determine the VHS to digital converter of your choice. This converter should have a converter cord as part of the package.
The cord is RCA phono output and S-Video with a USB connector at the other end. Some VCRs have the S-Video output face; you should use this for video output. It is better than the yellow composite jack at video output quality. If your VCR does not have the S-Video output and you don’t care for top quality, you can go ahead with the digitization.
A laptop or desktop computer is only optional here. Some VHS to digital converters have built-in screens. This means that you can complete the whole process without a computer. What you need in this case is a flash drive where the digitized recordings are saved and stored. Once you have everything, you are ready to go. Now we go through the steps involved.
When looking to buy a converter, most people would like to buy the best type for their operations. While there are a lot of options out there, few have stood out based on customer’s reviews and recommendations.
Based on the types, we have two different categories. Those that require a computer for digitization and those that do not.
For converters that do not require a computer:
For converters that need a computer for software installation:
These are the top converters, according to research and reviews. There are many other options available for personal use. If you don’t have a large budget, you can still get other cheap options that fall within your preferred budget.
The use of a capture card is another method that is available to you. Capture card allows your computer to work as a VHS converter. The process of using a capture card is almost the same as using the VHS to Digital Converter. However, some steps are involved in using a capture card that is not exactly needed when using the converter.
Here are some tips that can help you go through the process without or with minimal issues.
Dust up your VHS
Check the tape for crunch
Now that you have your video digitized, there is just one step to complete the project. You can add subtitles to the videos. The videos are probably more than a decade old, and you are wondering how it is possible to add subtitle files to the video.
Well, here comes the good part. With a trusted digital platform and online software, you can do this without stress. There are other options like manually writing the subtitles, but that would be stressful, especially if the video lasts for hours.
To get the best subtitle for your old video, you should use the Amberscript AI speech engine to generate automatic subtitles for your video. Amberscript offers services that include automatic subtitles. We also help to transcribe your video and audio to text, if that is what you need. Unlike the digitization process that is as long as the video, generating subtitles is as fast as it gets. The whole process takes minutes.
The speech recognition engine starts to transcribe your video. This process takes just a few minutes. The online text generator provides the first draft. You can download this draft if it is to your satisfaction. The online text editor option allows you to edit the text. Editing includes grammatical structures, punctuations, highlighting, and many more.
You can download the file by exporting it in the format you want. For subtitles, the format would be SRT file format.
Add your download subtitle to your video, and you are set. Alternatively, some formats allow you to burn the subtitle directly into the video. That way, it would be a single file. The formats include SRT, EBU-STL, and VTT.
Amberscript is fast and saves time. Our AI-based engines give the best accuracy in speech-to-text conversion. You do not have to worry about the security of your uploaded video; the whole process is through a secured network.
Digitization is needed for the obvious reason of preserving old tapes and the memories they bring. This process is straightforward with the right steps and tools. A VHS to Digital Converter is one of the pieces of equipment needed for this operation. With that and the use of Amberscript to generate the automatic subtitles, you have everything necessary to enjoy a wonderful experience. You will be glad to have digitized your video.
