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I would like to put the CD information I have from the CD/DVD onto a memory stick

(9 Posts)
jeanie99 Sun 16-Feb-25 20:41:24

Does anyone have any ideas how I do this. I have an old DVD player and tried loading to see what is on the disk but it just comes up with files. Clicking on the files as no effect.
I have the DVD player connected to the TV.
I was hoping they would have the camcorder videos I had taken in the years 2007-2008. I suspect now these are photos rather than videos as some are coming up with a camera image so am very disappointed. I would still like to see what is on the disks though.
This is all very confusing I know but it is so long ago I must have decided when traveling to put the photos on CDs for safe keeping.
I no longer have the old video camera as it broke down and was not usable.
I have all the original small tapes 3"x2"(inch) though of the videos, how do I extract the recordings from these tapes onto a memory stick.
I would be so grateful if someone could explain what I need to do.
I have a laptop but no disk slot or USB slot, I think the slot I have is USB-C and there is just one of it which I use for a mouse, I have another slot which I can put in a camera storage card.
I did ask my son and he said it was complicated to do it. My son is very good to me but he is so busy I would prefer to sort this out myself if possible.
Thank you

Imarocker Mon 17-Feb-25 08:08:48

I think the easiest solution would be to go into a shop that does transfers. the sort of place that puts videos onto CDs, that sort of thing. I am sure they will do it for you very easily. They might even take pity of you and let you see what is on the CD before charging you. Take a memory stick with you.

Imarocker Mon 17-Feb-25 08:09:58

Sorry - just had another thought. I bought DH an external hard drive. He needs an adapter to plug it into his laptop but we were able to view old photos on a CD that way.

jeanie99 Mon 17-Feb-25 11:10:01

Thank you for your comment much appreciated. I thought about going to my local camera shop to see what they say.
Have a good day, it's lovely here bright outside with a blue sky but cold.

Silverbrooks Mon 17-Feb-25 12:15:43

Without a digital device that can decode what’s on the DVDs or a camcorder to play the tapes, unless you are willing to acquire such machinery, your only option is to use a service which can convert the media for you.

Try this Ripon-based company:

digitalconverters.co.uk/product/vhs-to-dvd?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA2cu9BhBhEiwAft6IxMdvhJsfwfoxrWkNPA5tcyhtqsqrQfbgrj5ElSaaqa2fkUon1L0oVBoCbW8QAvD_BwE

I have no affiliation. I just found it on a net search. Lots of satisfied customers. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to see the different kinds of media they can convert from and to.

jeanie99 Mon 17-Feb-25 13:45:47

Thank you for the information I will give them a ring.
Much appreciated

jeanie99 Tue 18-Feb-25 11:38:25

The company charge just over £450 for my tapes to be put onto memory sticks.

Silverbrooks Tue 18-Feb-25 12:07:10

Are you saying you think that's too much? Without knowing how much content you want converted it's hard to say. Did they tell you how long the work would take and how they arrive at their charges?

A 256GB flash drive alone costs £20.

A lower quality 5 minute video in standard definition SD could take up around around 200MB. A higher quality five minute video HD could range from 400MB to 1 GB

As I said, your alternative is to source all the equipment you need to do the conversion as well as acquiring the technically know-how to DIY.

jeanie99 Tue 18-Feb-25 14:53:05

I appreciate what you are saying and I'm sure the amount of money is not expensive for the work needed if you are in paid work it is not a problem.
I am not, I live on a pension, the saving we have is to live our lives in old age.
The reason I am wanting to do this is for my grandchildren for them to know where we traveled on our 12 month round the world backing trip which we did in 2007-8.
My GC are all under 10 yrs old so they will not know us for long.
I already have albums and my journals but it would be good to have the videos as well to see us as we were in life.
I would want to see and edit the videos before putting onto a memory stick and then copy on to one of my hard drives.
I just need to get my head around what I need to do and purchase to make this happen.
When I left the message I was just asking for ideas of how I could do this myself. You tube is good at explaining but doesn't cover all my problems but fingers crossed I will get there.