每隔几年，似乎某种形式的技术就会被新事物所取代。但对我们许多人来说，旧媒体拥有宝贵的记忆。您可能有一个带有小学戏剧的VHS磁带，或者是您祖父母传给您的一堆旧专辑。
无论您持有什么媒体，为了充分享受它，您可能需要将其转换为数字格式。为此，您需要一些硬件、将硬件连接到计算机的电缆以及进行转换的软件。
一旦您进行了少量的前期投资，您就可以开始转换文件了。以下是一些最流行的模数转换以及实现它们所需的条件。
VHS 转 AVI 或 MPEG(VHS to AVI or MPEG)
如果您想转移旧的VHS磁带，首先需要的是VCR。很有可能，您家里没有这些 1900 年代后期的设备，但您通常可以在亚马逊(Amazon)或 eBay 上以不到 100 美元的价格找到一台。
您还需要一个模拟转换器，它的一端有一根RCA电缆插入VCR，另一端有一根USB电缆用于您的计算机。连接后，您将需要软件来进行切换。
Golden Videos VHS to DVD Converter不仅可以将您的VHS磁带转换为数字文件，还可以自动纠正视频中的任何缺陷，为您提供最佳质量。您可以将文件刻录到DVD或共享到YouTube等网站。家庭许可证的全(Full)价为 50 美元，但目前售价为 24.99 美元。
录音带转 MP3(Audiocassette to MP3)
如果您家中的磁带属于音频类型，则适用类似的过程。你需要一个录音带播放器，在亚马逊(Amazon)等网站上售价不到 30 美元，还有一根带有迷你插孔连接器的RCA电缆。(RCA)如果您愿意，您可以购买一盘 PC 盒式磁带播放器(tape to PC cassette player)，其中包含您所需的一切，价格低于 20 美元。
将录音带传输到数字文件(transferring audiocassettes to digital files)的工具并不缺乏，但Audacity 的(Audacity’s)免费开源解决方案应该拥有您需要的一切。您可以输入和导出多种文件类型，包括 mp3 和WAV。
照片转JPG(Photos to JPG)
如果您在智能手机时代之前就在身边，那么您很可能有一个装满旧照片的鞋盒。与数码照片不同，这些旧照片会随着时间的推移而褪色。通过将这些旧照片转换为数字文件，您不仅可以继续保存它们(preserve them)，还可以使用软件来恢复它们丢失的一些质量。
要将您的照片转换为JPG(JPGs)，您首先需要一台扫描仪(first need a scanner)，该扫描仪可在任何办公用品或电子商店购买。Photoshop在照片修复方面非常出色，但它可能非常昂贵。
GIMP可以完成类似的工作，并且可以免费使用。您将可以访问褪色照片所需的颜色调整，以及用于修饰随着时间推移而受损的区域的克隆和蒙版工具。
黑胶转 MP3(Vinyl to MP3)
无论您是喜欢当前的黑胶唱片潮流，还是只是拥有一个装满旧专辑的阁楼，转换它们意味着您可以在您最喜欢的移动设备上收听歌曲。但是，要转换它们，您需要一个带USB输出的电唱机。你可以找到这些的预算版本，但如果你想要最好的质量，你可能不得不购买价格更高的版本。
将硬件连接到计算机后，您将需要软件才能开始使用。推荐用于录音带的Audacity包也可以在这里使用，但(Audacity)Pure Vinyl专为将专辑移动到数字文件而设计。不过，这个软件并不便宜。You’ll need to pay $379为许可证支付 379 美元。
将模拟文件转换为数字文件时，最大的开销通常来自您需要购买的硬件。因此，如果您持续需要进行这些转换，您可能只想进行投资。
尽管如此，一旦您完成了设置，您可能会发现您的朋友和家人希望您通过将他们的VHS、录音带、专辑或照片转换为高质量的数字版本来提供帮助。
How to Convert Your Analog Files to Digital Format
Every few years,
it seеms some form оf technology hаs been replaced by something new. But for
many of us, older mediа holds valuable memories. You mаy have a VHS tape with
your elementary school play or a stack of old albums your grandparеnts passed
down to you.
Whatever the media you’re holding, to enjoy it to its fullest, you’ll probably need to move it to a digital format. To do that, you’ll need some hardware, a cable to connect that hardware to your computer, and software to make the conversion.
Once you’ve made that small up-front investment, you’ll be set to convert files moving forward. Here are some of the most popular analog-to-digital conversions and what you’ll need to make them happen.
VHS to AVI or MPEG
The first thing you’ll need if you want to transfer old VHS tapes is a VCR. Chances are, you don’t have one of these late-1900s devices in your house, but you can usually find one for less than $100 on Amazon or eBay.
You’ll also need an analog converter, which has an RCA cable to plug into the VCR on one end and a USB cable on the other end for your computer. Once that’s hooked up, you’ll need software to make the switch.
Golden Videos VHS to DVD Converter not only converts your VHS tapes to digital files, but it also automatically corrects any defects in the video to give you the best quality possible. You can burn the files to DVD or share them to sites like YouTube. Full price is $50 for the home license, but it’s currently on sale for $24.99.
Audiocassette to MP3
A similar process applies if the cassettes in your home are of the audio variety. You’ll need an audiocassette player, available on sites like Amazon for less than $30, and an RCA cable that has a mini-jack connector. If you choose, you can instead buy a tape to PC cassette player that will include everything you need for less than $20.
There’s no shortage of tools for transferring audiocassettes to digital files, but Audacity’s free open-source solution should have everything you need. You can input and export a variety of file types, including mp3 and WAV.
Photos to JPG
If you were around before the smartphone era, chances are you have a shoebox full of old pictures. Unlike digital photos, those old prints fade over time. By converting those old photos to digital files, you can not only preserve them moving forward, but you may be able to use software to restore some of the quality they’ve lost.
To convert your photos to JPGs, you’ll first need a scanner, available at any office supply or electronics store. Photoshop is great at photo restoration, but it can be pretty pricey.
GIMP does a comparable job and is available free of charge. You’ll have access to the color adjustment you need for faded photos, as well as clone and mask tools for touching up areas that have suffered damage over time.
Vinyl to MP3
Whether you’re into the current vinyl trend or you simply have an attic full of old albums, converting them means you can listen to the songs on your favorite mobile device. To convert them though, you’ll need a record player with a USB output. You can find budget versions of these, but you may have to spring for a higher-priced version if you want the best quality possible.
Once your hardware is hooked up to your computer, you’ll need software to get started. The Audacity package recommended for audio cassettes will work here, as well, but Pure Vinyl is designed specifically for moving albums to digital files. This software isn’t cheap, though. You’ll need to pay $379 for a license.
When converting analog files to digital, most often the biggest expense comes in the hardware you’ll need to purchase. For that reason, you probably will only want to make the investment if you have an ongoing need to make these conversions.
Still, once you have the setup in place, you’ll probably find your friends and family members want you to help out by converting their VHS, audiocassettes, albums, or photos to high-quality digital versions.
