Best Free and Open Source Alternatives to Roxio Easy VHS to DVD

Corel Corporation is a Canadian software company specializing in graphics processing. They are best known for developing CorelDRAW, a vector graphics editor. They are also notable for purchasing and developing AfterShot Pro, PaintShop Pro, Painter, Video Studio, MindManager, and WordPerfect.

Corel has dabbled with Linux over the years. For example they produced Corel Linux, a Debian-based distribution which bundled Corel WordPerfect Office for Linux. While Corel effectively abandoned its Linux business in 2001 they are not completely Linux-phobic. For example, AfterShot Pro has an up to date Linux version albeit its proprietary software.

This series looks at the best free and open source alternatives to products offered by Corel.

Roxio became part of Corel in 2012 when Corel acquired the Roxio business from Rovi Corporation. The acquisition included Roxio Easy VHS to DVD.

Roxio Easy VHS to DVD is a software and hardware package designed to convert analogue video from VHS tapes and camcorders to digital formats or DVD. It lets users capture video, trim footage, correct colour, add titles and transitions, and create DVDs with menus and chapters.

Easy VHS to DVD is proprietary software and is not available for Linux. There isn’t a direct open source replacement for the complete hardware and software package, but Linux offers excellent software for each stage of the process.

1. OBS Studio

OBS Studio is an excellent choice for capturing video from a compatible USB capture device.

It provides real-time video and audio capture, recording, filtering and encoding. For a VHS conversion setup, a VCR can be connected to a Linux-compatible USB capture device with OBS recording the incoming video and audio to a digital file.

OBS offers extensive control over recording resolution, frame rate, codecs and output quality.

2. VLC

VLC is best known as a multimedia player, but it also offers useful video capture and conversion functionality.

It supports Video4Linux devices, allowing compatible USB capture hardware to be used as an input source. VLC can display the incoming video and transcode or save it in a range of digital formats.

It’s a useful option for users who want something simpler than OBS Studio for basic capture and conversion work.

3. FFmpeg

FFmpeg is a powerful command-line toolkit for recording, converting and processing audio and video.

FFmpeg can capture directly from Video4Linux devices and Linux audio sources. This makes it particularly useful for building a flexible VHS digitisation workflow.

Its extensive collection of filters can also help process old recordings. Among other things, FFmpeg can deinterlace footage, resize video, adjust colour, reduce noise and convert recordings to modern codecs and containers.

4. Kdenlive

Kdenlive is an excellent choice for editing footage after it has been captured.

This non-linear video editor provides multitrack editing, trimming, titles, transitions, colour correction, audio processing and a wide range of effects.

For VHS conversion, Kdenlive is useful for removing unwanted sections, arranging recordings, adding titles and performing basic restoration before exporting the finished footage to a digital video format.

5. DVDStyler

DVDStyler covers the DVD authoring side of the Roxio package.

It can create DVD-Video discs complete with interactive menus, chapters, multiple titles, audio tracks and subtitles. Menus can be customised with backgrounds, text, images and buttons.

DVDStyler therefore combines well with OBS Studio or FFmpeg for capture and Kdenlive for editing when the final goal is to put digitised VHS footage onto DVD.

All articles in this series:

Alternatives to Corel's Products
	AfterShot Pro is raw image processing software offering simple photo management, good workflow, and batch processing.
	Capture captures and saves images of your computer screen with one click, including the entire screen, individual windows, or menu lists.
	CorelCAD is a computer-aided design application for 2D and 3D design which supports a variety of graphic formats including DWG, DXG, CDR, SHP, and others.
	CorelDRAW is vector-based designing software used to create logos, flexes, brochures, invitation cards, and any kind of vector designing.
	DVD Copy is simple-to-use software which allows you to copy DVDs, convert HD video, output to mobile devices, and more.
	Font Viewer is a standalone application bundled with CorelDRAW Graphics Suite and Corel PHOTO-PAINT that helps users manage their font libraries.
	MindManager is mind mapping software application. MindManager can be used to manage projects, organize information, and for brainstorming.
	MotionStudio 3D is a 3D titling, motion graphics and effects-in one complete package. Generate 3D graphics, titles and animated text
	Painter is a raster-based digital art software which is used for canvas painting and offers photo-art tools. Sketch, paint, and illustrate.
	PaintShop Pro is a raster and vector graphics editor. It features an interface for automating tasks with scripts written in Python.
	Parallels Desktop is virtualization software for macOS that allows users to run Windows, Linux, and other operating systems on their Mac without having to reboot.
	PDF Document Writer lets users convert documents, emails, images and other file types into a PDF for viewing and sharing.
	PDF Fusion is an all-in-one PDF creator that lets you assemble, edit and create PDFs.
	PHOTO-PAINT is a raster graphics editor, or photo editing software. Edit, enhance, and retouch photographs, as well as create bitmap illustrations and paintings. PHOTO-PAINT is part of the CorelDRAW Graphics Suite.
	Pinnacle Studio is a full-featured, near-pro-level video editing application without a steep learning curve.
	Vector is a web-based vector app for design hobbyists and aspiring professionals. Design your creative projects in a user-friendly tool.
	VideoStudio MyDVD is DVD authoring software. Make your menus more meaningful and use the powerful tools within VideoStudio MyDVD.
	VideoStudio Pro is a video editing software package that offers both storyboard and timeline-oriented editing.
	WinDVD Pro allows you to play DVDs and Blu-rays. The player can also be used to play videos and audio/music files in other formats.
	WinZip is a file archiver and compressor with tools for system integration. The software also bundles an image manager and backup functionality.
	WordPerfect Office is an all-in-one office suite and word processing software. Document, spreadsheet, and presentation applications.