Easy way to transfer tons of old photos to flash drive

mikestock wrote:
It is absolutely worth the time to get your family's memories into digital format. We raised three sons who are now in their 40's with their own children. I began scanning my 3000+ photos when I retired six years ago. Believe me, it was time consuming. I managed to place them plus thousands of more current digital photos into one file and use a collage screen saver software. Every family member who sees the screen saver will sit and stare at the collages for ever. I walk by and there always seems to be pictures I forgot in the collage.

I duplicated the picture file onto data DVDs for safe keeping and for other family members.

DH did the same. Every so often we add current pictures. Shakes up the screen saver.

now I am getting even more confused. AIRecall, the OP had a bunch of old photos he wanted to digitize? once copied and in his computer he can pretty much dump them any where he wants to.
bumpy

I agree with 1492 on this one. If are not editing the tapes, just moving them, this is the best way. If you need to edit them they either need to get onto a computer, or if you can find a Panasonic DVD recorder with built in hard drive, you can transfer everything onto the HD, trim them, and reorganize the clips any way you want when transferred to DVD. I did all mine in chronological order and it was a breeze.

Belgique wrote:
May I hijack a teeny bit: same question as the OP's but for VHS tapes to some type of electronic media?

On edit: found this http://www.digitaltrends.com/home-theater/how-to-convert-vhs-to-dvd/article. This seems to cover everything?

There are a couple of ways to go about this. A hardware/software route which is very time consuming. For one, it's not real time. You have to first digitize the analog VHS footage to your computer, then author the video files for DVD playback, and burn the disc. This could easily take 3x-5x+ the actual footage time. The only real advantage of doing so is that you can edit the video before setting up your DVD.

A quicker real time solution is to get a DVD Recorder/ VHS set top combo. You can find them starting at about $150+. I've seen tons of used ones on EBAY. Even at thrift stores such as Goodwill, where I picked up a Sony for $12. Though I'd recommend you clean the VHS heads, and blow out any accumulated dust if doing so.

It is absolutely worth the time to get your family's memories into digital format. We raised three sons who are now in their 40's with their own children. I began scanning my 3000+ photos when I retired six years ago. Believe me, it was time consuming. I managed to place them plus thousands of more current digital photos into one file and use a collage screen saver software. Every family member who sees the screen saver will sit and stare at the collages for ever. I walk by and there always seems to be pictures I forgot in the collage.

I duplicated the picture file onto data DVDs for safe keeping and for other family members.

If you have lots of prints that need to be digitized, find Sam's club Photo department with the Kodak Rapid scanner kiosk. They claim it will scan and put onto a CD 200 4x6s in 10 minutes, in real life (I worked there), it was more like 11 minutes. You do the work, your photos are never out of your sight.
The cost a few years ago was $10 a disk, then it dropped down to the $2.24 per CD, I've been retired for about 2 years, so prices and availability may have changed.

hershey wrote:
I was able to use a simple digital camera to take pictures of pictures that a relative absolutely wouldn't think of letting me or anyone remove from their home. They came out so well, I did the same thing when doing some research of court records. Probably not as good as a scanner, nor as good as a COSTCO would probably be but very viewable and useable.

I haven't done the math, but using my 24 mpix digital camera zoomed in on a 4x6 picture, has got to approach any reasonably priced flat bed scanner.
bumpy

I was able to use a simple digital camera to take pictures of pictures that a relative absolutely wouldn't think of letting me or anyone remove from their home. They came out so well, I did the same thing when doing some research of court records. Probably not as good as a scanner, nor as good as a COSTCO would probably be but very viewable and useable.

just checked this out at Sam's Club and they carry the version 3 for $49.00. don't know what difference there is between V3 and V 5 and V7.
bumpy

Belgique wrote:
Thanks Bumpy. Found it at Sams on-line: Honestech VHS to DVD 5.0 Deluxe. This is a link to it from Amazon clicky Gets good reviews. Of course, I threw the VHS player away a few months ago. They're easy to find though.

wonder what the version 7 for 7$ more has than the 5? don't know the version at sams.
bumpy