Last updated on February 7th, 2024 at 03:17 am
So, you have some VHS tapes to watch, either home movies or a commercial movie not available on DVD, Blu-ray or Netflix.
The thing is, you don’t have access to VCR. Maybe you have a non-functional VCR and can’t get it repaired.
Or it could be that you discovered some VHS tapes in your family attic and want to play them (you may not have been born when the VHS revolution was over).
Yes, you can always buy a VHS player, can’t you? You can’t just hop over to your neighbourhood electronics store and grab one. Unless, of course, you live in an area with vintage electronics stores. The golden age of VHS is over.
The fact is no new VCRs are manufactured. You have to make do with used units. They’re fast becoming a collector’s item.
Any collector’s item is bound to come with a steep price tag. VCRs are no exception. As they become scarcer, their prices escalate, owing to demand.
You can always grab a unit online, but what if you’re on a limited budget? How can you watch VHS tapes without a VCR?
Are there ways? There are, but they aren’t convenient solutions. But they’re worth considering.
Borrow a VCR
Before considering the options below, check out whether your friends or family members have a functioning VCR they may not be using.
Try to borrow it, especially if you plan to watch your VHS tapes for a few days.
You may also offer to purchase the VCR if a friend or family member is not using it.
Why, if you’re lucky, you may even get the VCR as a gift.
Use a VHS Video Camera/Camcorder
This is the other machine that allows you to watch VHS tapes without a VCR.
Although a VHS video camera is primarily used to shoot video, it also has a VCR function.
There are composite (RCA) ports which you can use to connect the video camera to your TV.
Make the connection, pop in your tape, hit the play button, and you’re good to go.
Be warned, though, that it may not be as easy to operate as a VCR.
Acquiring a VHS Video Camera
A VHS video camera is harder to come by compared to a VCR. But then they’re not in much demand compared to a VCR.
They’re seldom used for shooting video in these days of HD video. Look around your neighbourhood thrift store to see if you can find a functioning unit for cheap.
Again, ask around to see if someone has a functioning unit that he or she no longer uses.
If you don’t mind an odd piece of equipment on your TV cabinet, go for a VHS camcorder or video camera.
You may also want to get a VHS video camera for the sake of experiencing shooting with it.
Especially if you like to experiment with things.
Types of VHS Cameras
If you plan to buy a VHS camera, remember there are two types. Full-sized VHS and VHS-C cameras.
You must get the VHS camera and not the VHS-Compact camera. Your VHS tapes will not fit into a VHS-C video camera.
You may play a VHS-C tape on a VHS camera but not vice versa.
Use a Tape to Digital Service
The only way to play a VHS tape is through a VHS or S-VHS VCR or VHS or S-VHS video camera. If you can’t access them, here’s a sensible option. Especially if you have only a few tapes to play.
Use a tape-to-digital conversion service to watch VHS tapes without a VCR.
It’s a cheaper option and will benefit you in the long term, apart from saving you the expense of getting a VCR or video camera.
You don’t want to buy an expensive VCR or video camera and have it sitting around after viewing your few tapes. Then, having to spend again when you wish to convert them to digital.
A tape-to-digital service is a convenient option. Such a service will transfer your VHS tapes to DVD or MP4.
Once your tapes are digitized, you have much control over how you watch your VHS videos.
You can play your videos on a DVD player or Blu-ray player. With an MP4 file, you can play back your videos on a computer, smartphone, or HDTV or upload them to a video-sharing service like YouTube to share with family and friends.
You can’t go on watching VHS tapes forever. Time and environmental factors will take their toll on them. Mold attacks aren’t uncommon, and tape material will degrade over time.
So, the wise option is to transfer your VHS tapes to digital as soon as possible.
If you have a huge collection of tapes, you would want to go the DIY route to save the cost and hassle of shipping them out for conversion.
Otherwise, a tape-to-digital service will be the best option. Check out what you can expect from a tape-to-digital conversion service.
The above are ways you can watch VHS tapes without a VCR. Choose the best option after weighing the odds.
