Watch the full video review of the DIGITNOW! Video Capture Card: on YouTube
Before streaming, DVDs, and digital downloads, home video memories were captured on formats like VHS, Betamax, and tiny camcorder tapes. But how do you convert these analogue formats into a digital version today?
I recently faced this exact challenge. I wanted to digitise a collection of family camcorder footage, including classic 90s theme park clips for my new site, Mark’s Parks. That led me to test out the DIGITNOW! Video Capture Card, and after hours of use, here’s my full review.
Price & What’s in the Box
The DIGITNOW! Video Capture Card is incredibly affordable, typically priced around £17. It includes everything you need to get started, apart from a video player. I found a compatible VHS player on eBay for another £17 delivered, so the total setup cost was minimal.
Inside the box, you’ll find:
- The USB-A video capture device
- A Smart Connector
- A composite video and stereo audio cable
Tech Specs
This versatile device can capture footage from any source that uses composite video and stereo audio cables. It’s compatible with both Mac and Windows PCs, though you’ll need to supply your own software.
Supported features include:
- H.264 video format encoding
- Compatibility with NTSC, SECAM, PAL, and PAL/60 video standards
- Separate audio and video input recognition for potential audio-only recording
For software, you can use free programs like OBS Studio. On my Mac, I used QuickTime for capture and HandBrake for compressing the video files.
Mac User Experience
As a long-time Mac user, setup couldn’t have been easier. Just plug the DIGITNOW! Video Capture Card into a USB port, connect your video source via the included AV cables, and open your preferred recording software.
In QuickTime:
- Go to File > New Movie Recording
- Select the correct video and audio input sources
- Hit record in QuickTime and play on your VCR
The system had no problem recording a full 4-hour VHS tape. However, QuickTime creates very large files, so I recommend saving your footage, trimming or editing in iMovie or Final Cut, and compressing the final file using HandBrake.
Performance
In all my testing, the DIGITNOW! Video Capture Card delivered consistently smooth video and reliable audio capture. It handled long-duration recordings with ease, and the quality was just what you’d expect from 90s camcorder footage.
While QuickTime isn’t ideal for editing large files on machines with limited RAM—like my M1 Mac mini with 16GB RAM—the actual capture process remained smooth and problem-free.
Final Verdict
The DIGITNOW! Video Capture Card is a superb budget-friendly option for anyone looking to digitise old family videos. It’s easy to use, widely compatible, and works with free software options on Mac and Windows.
Whether you’re archiving nostalgic footage or preparing old content for modern platforms, this device gets the job done with minimal fuss and cost. Check out the DIGITNOW! Video Capture Card here
