Converting VHS tapes to digital using an upscaler?

Question

Converting VHS tapes to digital using an upscaler?

On a 2019 Macbook Pro, can I input and capture, a 1080 P 60 fps signal using the USB c ports? The Mac specification only talks about "outputs" to monitors in which case the answer would be yes, but I am not sure the same applies to inputs.

Background:

I want to convert some old VHS recordings of sentimental value to a digital files. I have a VHS with the Red, White, Yellow Output jacks and have sent for a SoundBeast AV to HDMI Upscaler. I understand the SoundBeast will output 1080P HDMI signal at 60 fps. I was planning to connect the VCR to the SoundBeast Upscaler and directly to one of my Mac's USB C ports. Some YouTube videos are suggesting that I need a capture device like a Elgato Cam Link 4K in between the SoundBeast and the Mac, because a laptop might not be set up to receive the 60fps signal. In that case the YouTube videos say 60 fps updating would be lost. My searches on the MacBook seem to only the discuss the HDMI output capability for monitors and not the input capability for recording.

MacBook Pro 15″, macOS 15.4

Posted on May 28, 2025 11:48 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Grant Bennet-Alder

Level 10

141,571 points

May 28, 2025 11:56 AM in response to bennietschirky

<< can I input and capture, a 1080 P 60 fps signal using the USB c ports? ::

NO.

The Mac specs clearly say what they do because your Mac has NO input that can handle timing sensitive INPUT data like Video at the speeds required.

I strongly recommend you use a digital conversion service. They are quite common. Even CVS offers that service, but your tapes will be sent out.

if you insist on doing it yourself, you will need a fairly expensive Video capture External Hardware device. this makes no sense for a one-off conversion.

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Answer 2

May 28, 2025 12:15 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Thanks for your help. That is as I suspected. I did google searches for the MacBook specs and really never got them. All I get is this not to reliable google AI answers, which I am not surprised are inaccurate.

Despite your input about sending the tapes to a service, I am probably going to go ahead and buy the Elgato Capture device since I do not want to let these old VHS tapes out of my hands.

None the less, thanks again.

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Converting VHS tapes to digital using an upscaler?

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