Honestech VHS To DVD 5 HD

Several companies make devices to transfer old VHS video tapes onto the computer and then onto DVD discs, but VHS to DVD from Honestech is one of the most straightforward and affordable ones we have seen.

The package includes a ‘Vidbox', which is an adaptor that plugs into a USB port on the computer. Into this you can plug in a variety of devices such as an old video recorder or an old camcorder (for newer digital camcorders it's better and quicker to plug it directly into your computer using the Firewire or USB connection).

The kit includes the cables required to get started straight away – there are cables for composite and s-video connections, as well as a Scart connector, so you should be able to use the Vidbox with most video equipment.

A handy quick start guide shows how to set everything up and install the supplied software, which has two main options. The Easy Wizard mode will transfer recordings straight onto a DVD or Blu-ray disc. For the latter, which we presume is what gives the program the ‘HD' in its title, you will need a Blu-ray drive on the PC. However, video from a tape won't look any better on Blu-ray than on DVD so it's not much use anyway.

Alternatively the Advanced mode includes basic editing tools such as the ability to trim the length of video clips and add simple transitions and effects. The Advanced mode also allows you to transfer recordings onto other types of device such as an iPhone or other mobile phone, or to upload them to Youtube, so you are not limited to just using DVD or Blu-ray discs. Finally, there is also an audio recording option that can be used to record cassette tapes or vinyl records and convert them into WMA files. In that case you would need to plug the cassette player or hi-fi unit into the Vidbox.

The two modes ensure that VHS To DVD is suitable for both beginners and more experienced users, and it's definitely good value if you have got a lot of old tapes or other recordings you would like to transfer onto DVD or store on the computer.