# Digitization Studio Longmont Public Media has a Digitization studio, with which one can convert VHS, Audio Cassette, 8mm film, Super 8mm and more into a digital format.

Digitization Studio at Longmont Public Media

**Software included on the PC:** * DaVinci Resolve Studio * OBS Studio * Audacity * Elgato Video Capture ## How to convert VHS to video file Depending on the method used, VHS tapes can be digitized into a few different file formats. Longmont Public Media Currently has two processes available. ### Elgato Video Capture Insert your VHS tape into the silver DVD/VCR unit (Go.Video) Open the Elgato Video Capture program located on the desktop. Proceed through the setup wizard, choosing 4:3 aspect ratio, and adding a bit of extra time to the total runtime of the tape. (e.g. 50 minutes if the total runtime is 40 minutes, to allow some buffer for previews and information screens.) STOP and REWIND on the tape deck, start recording in the program, then press PLAY on the tape deck. Once the recording is finished, use the sliders to trim your recording, which can be found in the folder; C:\Users\Downstairs Office PC\Videos, which can be further edited as needed in other programs, such as DaVinci Resolve. Please log out of any personal accounts and move all personal files to your own storage device and delete them from the PC. Please advise staff if any settings were changed so they can be reset to default for the next user. ### OBS Studio Insert your VHS tape into the black DVD/VHS unit (Sony) Open the OBS Studio program located on the desktop. On the top menu, open Tools > Output Timer. Set the approximate runtime with the text fields next to "Stop recording after:" making sure to add a bit of extra time to the total runtime of the tape. (e.g. 50 minutes if the total runtime is 40 minutes, to allow some buffer for previews and information screens.) STOP and REWIND on the tape deck, click start recording in the program next to where you set the time, then press PLAY on the tape deck. Once the recording is finished, the video can be found in the folder; C:\Users\Downstairs Office PC\Videos, which can be trimmed and edited as needed in other programs, such as DaVinci Resolve. Please log out of any personal accounts and move all personal files to your own storage device and delete them from the PC. Please advise staff if any settings were changed so they can be reset to default for the next user. ## Digitizing Audio Cassettes Insert your cassette tape into the tape deck unit (Gelielim) Open the program, Audacity, located on the desktop. On the top bar, click the microphone icon and "Enable Silent Monitoring"

Enable Silent Monitoring

Press play on the tape deck and adjust volume accordingly. STOP and REWIND on the tape deck. In the menu bar, navigate to Transport > Recording > Timer Record...

Timer Record...

Using the arrow keys on your keyboard, set the "Duration" a bit longer than the total runtime of your cassette tape (e.g. 50 minutes if the total runtime is 40 minutes. The audio track can be trimmed later.) and click "OK". Press PLAY on the tape deck.

Set Duration

Once the recording finishes, navigate to File > Export Audio... and click "Export" in the next window. The MP3 file can be found in the folder; C:\Users\Downstairs Office PC\Music.

Export Audio...

Please log out of any personal accounts and move all personal files to your own storage device and delete them from the PC. Please advise staff if any settings were changed so they can be reset to default for the next user. ## Using the Kodak Reelz Film Digitizer More info to be added. ## Studio Clean Up Once you are done, **please clean up and reset the studio to its default condition.** A lot of people use the studio, and it is imperative that you clean up after yourself. Failure to do so will make LPM staff and members unhappy. Repeated notices about cleaning up will result in disciplinary action. A photo is provided above for reference! ## Digitization Studio Reservations The digitization studio is available for reservations via our reservation system. To make a reservation, please visit this link. If you need to learn how to make a reservation, please go here. --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://wiki.longmontpublicmedia.org/makerspace/studios/digitization-studio.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.