PORTTA VD22P VHS to Digital Converter with 5-inch HD Screen (VCR/VHS/Hi8/Mini DV to MP4)

If you’ve got tapes you can’t bear to lose—VHS, Hi8, Mini DV, even older console video—this kind of converter is often the fastest route from “stored away” to “actually playable on modern devices”. The PORTTA VD22P is a VHS to digital converter that captures analogue audio/video and saves it to MP4 (video) or MP3 (audio), with a built-in 5-inch screen and speaker so you don’t need a PC to line things up.

That said, it’s not perfect for everyone. On paper it’s a capture/convert device, not a standalone player for cassettes or DVDs, so you’ll still need your VHS/VCR/DV source to supply the playback signal. If you’re expecting something that magically reads discs or tapes by itself, you’ll be disappointed.

The essentials (what it does)

The PORTTA VD22P converts analogue video inputs into digital files. It’s designed for capturing from common legacy gear such as VHS/VCR, DVD players, camcorders, Hi8, Mini DV, DVR outputs, and some retro gaming consoles (the device itself is the recorder/capture unit, the source device isn’t included).

It records up to 1080P 60Hz and supports multiple input types: AV/RCA (CVBS+R/L), component (YPbPr+R/L), and an auxiliary input via 3.5 mm. For storage, it uses a USB/SD card approach—there’s a preview LCD screen (5.0 inches) and speaker built in, which helps when you’re checking framing and levels.

Video is saved in MP4 format and audio in MP3 format. For people digitising home footage, this “MP4 first” approach tends to be the practical choice, because you can usually play MP4 on phones, tablets and most modern computers.

What stands out day to day

A big part of why this model is appealing is the built-in 5-inch HD screen with preview and an integrated speaker. When you’re digitising from an old camcorder or VCR, setup time can be annoying—especially if you have to keep running to a laptop to see whether the signal is stable. Here, you can preview what’s coming in directly on the unit and check what you’re capturing.

It’s also positioned as plug-and-play: no PC, no software, and no driver requirements are mentioned. For anyone who just wants to press record and get on with it, that matters.

Finally, the converter explicitly supports standard TV video formats and regions (NTSC-M/J, NTSC 4.43, PAL B/G/H/I/D and SECAM is referenced via standard inputs). If your tapes come from different places, that compatibility is worth noting.

Key features and format support

On the capture side, you can use AV/RCA (CVBS + R/L), component (YPbPr + R/L), or AUX-IN (3.5 mm). The audio capture is specified as up to 48 kHz, with a digital LPCM 2-channel output mentioned (uncompressed).

For day-to-day use, the workflow is mostly about choosing the right input, setting the capture source correctly, and then making sure audio isn’t muted for the selected input.

It also includes an LCD preview, so you can take a quick look at what’s being recorded and preview snapshots on the device.

Potential limitations to keep in mind

Here’s the bit people sometimes miss: this is not a disc or tape player. The device is a converter/recorder/capture unit only. The instructions note that it cannot reproduce tapes or DVD independently. So you’ll still need a functioning VHS/VCR, DVD player, camcorder, or similar source that can output analogue (or the relevant connection type).

Also, the included storage is not described in the information provided. It mentions no capacity limit for USB/TF cards, but TF cards and USB/SD storage are described as not included. That means you’ll need to supply your own USB or card before you can start digitising.

Who it suits best

It makes sense if you’re digitising personal archive video—home movies, family recordings, or retro gaming footage—and you want a standalone capture device rather than a PC-based setup.

It’s also a good match if you prefer seeing the signal on the unit itself. The built-in screen and speaker help you avoid the “is it working or not?” guessing game.

It may not be the best choice if you’re looking for a single device that replaces multiple players. Since you still need a VHS/VCR/DV/DVD source, buyers who don’t already have working playback hardware will need to budget for that as well.

Getting started without frustration

Before you press record, double-check that you’ve connected the correct input type (CVBS + R/L for AV/RCA, YPbPr + R/L for component, or AUX-IN for the 3.5 mm route). In the configuration menu (HOME -> Configuración), the guidance specifically says to check that the input video volume and AUX IN volume are not muted for the selected input.

A quick practical example: if you’re digitising a VHS tape through a VCR with the standard red/white/yellow outputs, you’d connect via AV/RCA, select the matching input option on the converter, then start playback on the VCR. While it records, use the 5-inch preview screen to confirm the picture is stable and the speaker output isn’t silent.

In the box (and what to expect)

The shipment list includes 1 video recorder/capture unit, a power adapter, a USB-A to USB-C cable, a remote control (with 2x AAA batteries noted as not included), AV cables, a YPbPr component cable, a 3.5 mm audio cable, and a user manual (Spanish language availability isn’t guaranteed).

The sources to record from—VHS/VCR players, DVD player, camcorder, DVR, consoles—are explicitly described as not included.

Final verdict

Worth considering if you want a straightforward VHS to digital converter with a built-in 5-inch preview screen and the ability to save files as MP4/MP3 without needing a PC.

Better avoided if you’re expecting the unit to act as a VHS/VCR/DVD player on its own, or if you don’t already have working legacy playback hardware to provide the source signal. It’s a capture-focused device, so the quality of your digitisation experience will still depend quite a lot on the quality and output of the device you’re recording from.

FAQs

1) Does the PORTTA VD22P play VHS tapes or DVDs by itself?

No. It’s described as a converter/recorder/capture device and it cannot reproduce tapes or DVD independently.

2) What file formats does it save?

It stores video as MP4 and audio as MP3.

3) Do I need a PC to digitise?

The information states it’s plug-and-play with no PC, no software and no driver requirements.

4) What inputs can it use?

It supports AV/RCA (CVBS+R/L), component (YPbPr+R/L), and AUX-IN (3.5 mm).

5) Do I need to provide storage?

USB or TF storage is referenced as not included, so you’ll likely need to supply a suitable USB/TF card for recording.