FAQs • Burlington Library, MA • CivicEngage

Do I still need a USB flash drive or external hard drive if I want to burn a DVD?: Even if you want to burn a DVD, it is highly recommended that you save your converted videos to a USB flash drive or external hard drive. In the unlikely event of an improper burn or unreadable disc, saving you videos beforehand allows for easy burning and any corrections needed in the future. We’d hate to see anyone have to repeat a 2-hour conversion process for the same VHS tape when it can be avoided.

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VHS to Digital Converter

1. Is there a fee or waiting list to use the digital converter?: There is no charge and no waiting list to use the digital convertor, it is on a first-come basis. Feel free to call ahead at 781-270-1690 to see if the device is in use.

2. What kinds of video tapes can I convert?: We are currently set up to work only with standard VHS tapes and smaller VHS-C tapes (if the patron has the appropriate adapter tape).

3. What type of file is the video converted into?: The videos are converted into an MP4 file. We now have Wondershare Uniconverter, a separate software that can further convert the file into a number of different formats.

4. How long does converting take?: The conversion is a 1 to 1 process. If the tape is 1 hour long it will take 1 hour to be converted.

5. What do I need to bring in?: In addition to your VHS tapes, you will need to have your own USB stick or external hard drive to save your files onto. Please be aware of storage space as well, a 2-hour tape is about 2GBs.

The converted video files are playable on:

The files can be easily uploaded to YouTube as well.

7. Can I edit my videos?: The video files can be edited in a separate application such as iMovie (Mac), Windows Live Movie Maker or Video Editor (Windows), or equivalent editing software.

8. Can I burn my converted videos onto a DVD?: Yes, you have the option to burn your converted videos onto a blank DVD disc. It can be done at any time or not at all, it is up to you.

9. What type of DVD disc do I need to burn onto?: A blank DVD+R is recommended however a DVD-R disc can work as well. Please check your DVD or Blu-ray player for disc compatibility. DVD+Rs are available to purchase at the Reference Desk for $1 a disc.

10. How long does burning a DVD take?: The length of time will vary depending on the video size. The MP4 file has to be converted to a DVD file type known as VOB before it is burned. Between this conversion and the burning, a 2-hour video will take approximately 30 minutes to be properly burned to disc.

11. Do I still need a USB flash drive or external hard drive if I want to burn a DVD?: Even if you want to burn a DVD, it is highly recommended that you save your converted videos to a USB flash drive or external hard drive. In the unlikely event of an improper burn or unreadable disc, saving you videos beforehand allows for easy burning and any corrections needed in the future. We’d hate to see anyone have to repeat a 2-hour conversion process for the same VHS tape when it can be avoided.