Convert VHS to a Mp4 Using OBS Studio | Mac & Windows 2023-2024 Tutorial

[@GuitarAudiologist]

The FPS setting for American VHS should actually be 29.97 NTSC (for proper frame capture and audio alignment), and the output (scaled) resolution should be 720x540 to give get right aspect ratio (4:3 instead of 3:2) because older TVs didn't use square "pixels" (or "dots" to be more accurate) that computer monitors do. I'm going to try these settings in OBS to confirm, but from what I have learned in the past dealing with other software and old NTSC video, these settings should be correct. Thanks for the video, I am looking forward to testing this cheapo capture card and OBS! UPDATE: Yes, my settings are correct and work well. Here are a few other tips: 1. Deinterlacing (to smooth the lines you might see in motion) - Right-click on the capture device under "source," go to "Deinterlace," and select "Yadif" 2. No Sound - If you've tried everything in OBS and still can't get sound, check Windows Settings/Privacy & Security/Microphone and make sure Access is ON and Allow Apps to Access it. 3. No Capture Device shown under "source" in Windows - Mentioned at the end of this video, but make sure Desktop Apps have access to "Camera" in Windows Settings. I was stumped earlier on why I didn't see any devices when he did, researched it and fixed it before I realized he mentions this towards the end. 4. Set Color space to "601" in advanced settings and under the capture device source setting, and set color range to "limited". I had to turn down the saturation a bit too. Overall, these cheap little USB capture devices work great, as long as you set it up right! I didn't use the exact "Digitnow" brand he has, but mine looks the same and probably is. Slightly different naming in the device list. Mine was currently $11 on Amazon, so if you get that one it should work just the same.

[@kennyguevara6277]

You are the MAN! thank you so much this helped out so much.

[@ptschankin]

Seems to be working great! Thanks for the tutorial to get me started.

[@JOBT0]

Many thanks, so clear and informative tutorial, you helped me a lot, and you got a new subscriber.👍

[@TechThatDoesntByte]

Thanks for the support!! I'm glad to hear the video helped you.

[@chaloschicles114]

You were the only one to helped me, cheers

[@itsacslife]

Thanks for this!

[@eatmorefood4080]

Thank you for telling me the resolution ratio for PAL @11:53. It saved my videos from skipping. Not everyone lives in the USA.

[@SmithlineMuse]

Very helpful, many thanks!

[@patrykdalecki9527]

Thanks for easy tutorial, I will try this later on.😊

[@kingmidas812]

thank you, very well presented. massive help!

[@dilshodbekbobojonov7370]

Thank you

[@Stamorwogham]

I have a videocapture device that looks exactly like yours but my PC (windows) cannot detect it. So if yours a modern one? Mine is bought many years ago.

[@danielvilleda715]

Ayuda! Cuando conecto la casetera en la tv los colores se ven bien, pero cuando lo conecto en la capturadora y lo veo en obs, no se ven los colores.

[@TzOk]

This way you will end up with 25/30 fps instead of 30/60 fps which VHS has, not to mention interlace artifacts during horizontal camera movements.

[@freestyla101]

Can you describe what should happen? I'm having issues with interlacing and i can't eliminate it.

[@charminbaer2323]

You don't need OBS, you can just use Quicktime to record your VHS videos. It automatically detects the resolution and frame rate from the capture device. Much simpler to use than OBS.

[@MattSchulze]

Do you get more than 10:57 min out of that? There seems to be a recording time limit

[@S3SSioN_Solaris]

*On MacOS yes,* however QuickTime is a no no on Windows because of software vulnerabilities and dangers that come with it QuickTime being discontinued years ago.

[@IvanLairWTF]

Everything worked perfectly for me after recording two tapes, the next one could no longer see the video in OBS but if the audio played the first tapes again and the same thing happens to them, I don't know what it could be. You only see everything in black but the sound comes out perfect, please help

[@prettygirlrock56]

how do I fix laggy videos on playback? I converted my vas tape from my JVC handy cam.

[@laserfilmlab]

Does anyone know a better usb capture card that is good. The one that is being used on this video is awful.

[@via22]

I followed the steps and added the video. When it came time for audio I'm not hearing anything from my computer. I even tried pressing configure crossbar and nothing pops up for me. Do you know how to fix it?

[@mariofanalex4455]

Alright, so if the vhs is copyright protected should I be worried about this not working?

[@Jambi14]

OBS will not see my Sony 8mm vcr connected by Firewire at all despite following instructions. Magix Movie Studio does see it but capture is choppy.

[@osmankerimben2149]

Thanks for the video. I Have a question, at my Device option i can't get and see AV TO USB2.O ? Can you help me out please

[@TechThatDoesntByte]

Thanks for the comment! There might be some settings you have to adjust within your operating system in order for OBS to see AV to USB 2.0. Are you using Windows or MacOS?

[@osmankerimben2149]

Thnks for the response, i use mac. 👍🏼

[@TechThatDoesntByte]

@@osmankerimben2149 Thanks for the update! So on MacOS you will need to add OBS to the camera section in 'Security & Privacy' or 'Privacy & Security' in MacOS Ventura or later. Normally you shouldn't have to do this after installing OBS studio as it should have automatically been added, but I have encountered this issue before. On MacOS click on the apple icon and select 'System Preferences' or 'System Settings' if you're using MacOS Ventura or later. Then click on 'Security & Privacy' or 'Privacy & Security' and scroll to the 'Camera' area. Once you are in the camera area you should be able to add OBS studio by clicking on the plus sign. Restart OBS and try adding your capture device. If you still don't see your capture device in OBS, then try restarting your computer as well. I hope this helps!

[@TechThatDoesntByte]

@@osmankerimben2149 You can also follow this guide too, but I believe this is for MacOS Ventura and later. obsproject.com/kb/macos-permissions-guide

[@balpreetsingh8494]

thank you for the detailed video. However once exported to Mp4 or MOV, I am not able to fast forward and reverse, any settings to fix this ?

[@P3rsonn3859]

I don't understand I've followed the exact same step but I can't get the image I get the sound though, and I tried it with a dvd player and it worked but not with my vhs

[@SuperTezd]

great

[@TiNiB]

How do I get my device to show up? I'm on macOS and using the Elgato Video Capture device

[@TarenCapel]

Did you manage to solve this? I can't get it to show up either.

[@TiNiB]

Unfortunately not 😢

[@sombahadurbishwakarma]

Hi, thank you so much for this video it has helped me a lot to convert my old VHS. But I am currently struggling to get the audio to also play on my Mac. Do you have an idea how this can be done.

[@TechThatDoesntByte]

Hi. Thanks for the comment! You'll need to make sure audio monitoring is set to 'Monitor and output' on the USB video capture device. In your sources area, select the audio input for the USB video capture device. Click on the three dots and select 'Advanced Audio Properties.' Look for the audio input and select 'Monitor and output.'

[@gwxllagaming]

not sure why my roxio doesn't pick up video signal, anyone have this problem?

[@kennyguevara6277]

Anyone know of a fillter or audio setting to help decrease the static background noise?

[@InaCongoII]

How to record In Secam with OBS please ?

[@sillymovieeditors356]

Audio Tutorial at 12:07 for those who updated the app and found that the sound isn't working.

[@TTVEaGMXde]

OBS Studio cannot pass interlaced video.

[@JLU61307]

Im having issues where my capture card along with the color output, over it, there is grey lines that distort the image. this is either a capture card or OBS issue. if it deals inside OBS can someone help me fix it.

[@gabrielaknach9780]

O meu fica em preto e branco, consegue me ajudar?

[@kennyguevara6277]

Deinterlasing really helps but there are still some parts of the videos that it doesnt fix does anyone have a good work around for this?

[@lzbnundrgrdmusic]

This was extremely helpful. I was able to get the video working but now have a new issue. I am recording from VHS to my laptop. The audio is coming through with a cracking broken sound. I have gaps and static. Do you have any idea what this could be. It isn't in the original recording. I have a different version of OBS than you because I don't have all the settings you have. I am on a MAC silicone. OBS 30.0.2

[@TechThatDoesntByte]

Hello and thanks for the comment! This is a strange issue. I might have to try out version 30.0.2 on my Mac to see if I can duplicate the issue. Here are some things you can try. 1.) Mute your microphone input in OBS studios. 2.) Mute your desktop audio if that is enabled in OBS studios. 3.) Try changing the audio sample rate to 44.1khz. You can find that setting in settings>audio>sample rate. 4.) Try lowering the volume on your video capture card within the Audio Mixer area.

[@michaelrickman3161]

29.97 Frames Per Second for NTSC

[@AnimationFilms101]

Hi there, thanks for the video. But I am having trouble with my VCR. When I plug in everything and open OBS studio, the screen is completely blue, even after I press play. What can I do?

[@unknowncsd]

Your vhs tape might be done aka too old.

[@kmk1020]

Can you edit/cut the video before saving it so there isn’t like 10 seconds of blank after the video?

[@TechThatDoesntByte]

Hello. Thanks for the comment! Unfortunately you can't edit videos with OBS. Once you have recorded/convert your VHS tapes to a Mp4 file, you'll need to use a video editor such as iMovie, Openshot, Clipchamp, or any other video editing software to cut out any parts you don't want to keep.

[@Edubarca46]

First of all, you only mention VHS. Beta tapes are very popular here, much more than VHS. I suppose your procedure is good for both formats and also perhaps for Laserdisc. Although you explanation is excellent, it is a very confusing and difficult procedure for common "Joe Average" chaps. I ask, Is this the easiest way of configuring Betamax (or other analog players) for digitizing analog recordings? Perhaps it would be easier if the software included with the video grabber is used instead of OBS? Thank you

[@violeta7146]

Thank you so much for this tutorial! I just have one question: the file size is extremely large, I'm getting a 15GB 30 minute video file. How can I reduce that? I tried reducing the bitrate from 60000 to 2500 and all it did was lower the quality of the video, the size stayed the same. Thanks a lot in advance for any tips!

[@WJV9]

You need to compress video to MP4 compression, that should reduce the file size.

[@user-wi2yn4pu4u]

I have about 30 VHS-C tapes I am trying to convert on my Mac, do I need to run through the OBS settings for each tape? or once the settings are selected, will they stay that way?

[@TechThatDoesntByte]

Thanks for the comment! You only need to set up OBS once and the settings will be saved. You don't need to run through the settings for each tape.

[@kathuta8117]

all these USB digitisers are out of audio sync and quality is low.