What Does "VHS a DVD" Mean?
If you typed "VHS a DVD" into a search bar, you’re in good company. It’s one of those shorthand searches—likely intended to mean "convert VHS to DVD." Whether it’s an old home video or a forgotten vacation reel, you’re probably hoping to get that content off the tape and onto something viewable.
So, is VHS to DVD still the best way to preserve your tapes?
Not anymore. There’s a better way.
Why VHS to DVD Used to Be Popular
DVDs were once the shining upgrade from analog tapes. Compared to VHS cassettes, DVDs were smaller, easier to store, and looked high-tech at the time. Converting your old tapes to DVD felt like a fresh start.
But now those discs are starting to show their age.
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Most new laptops don’t even have DVD drives.
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Discs scratch easily, and once they do, the data can be lost.
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It’s difficult to share memories with family scattered across devices and locations.
If you've already made the jump from VHS to DVD and those discs aren't playing, read our guide on what to do if your DVD is unreadable.
There's a Better Option: Cloud-Based VHS to Digital
Instead of converting one outdated format to another, today’s best choice is to digitize your tapes straight to the cloud. With a secure platform, your memories are:
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Instantly streamable from any device
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Easily shareable with a simple link
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Organized and searchable by date, person, or event
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Stored safely with no risk of disc rot or hardware failure
If you’ve got tapes in storage, check out our VHS to digital service or our VHS-C tape to digital service—both offer easy shipping options, free tape repair, and cloud delivery.
What About Doing It Yourself?
You might be considering a do-it-yourself option. While there are converter boxes that promise to let you transfer VHS a DVD at home, the reality can be tricky:
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You need a working VCR and the right cables
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Most devices only record in real-time (yes, that means sitting through the whole tape)
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Poor video quality or failed transfers are common
Instead, consider using Heirloom’s video tape conversion service. Whether you have VHS, Hi8, or MiniDV tapes, Heirloom is faster, more reliable, and ensures your memories are ready to be enjoyed—not lost again to broken tech.
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