How do you know whether audio was actually recorded when a VHS tape was originally made?

Question

Hello: I'm starting to go through old VHS tapes my parents made years ago and I have a couple of questions. How do you know whether audio was actually 'on" when the tapes were made? I'm not sure which ones have audio and which don't. I can hear alot of hissing and static in the background of some of them, but not sure if there was any actual audio, voices, talking, etc.
Also, I am going to put these tapes on DVD, so if I find there is audio of any kind, how would I do that? All I'm getting from these tapes is the 'hissing, static, etc." I have a feeling there was audio recorded, but again, how do you find out for sure? Is there something on the VHS tape itself that would tell you for sure?
Any help is greatly appreciated. I've never undertook any kind of video transfer but want to be able to get all the audio off these tapes if there is any. My parents are both deceased so I can't ask them.

I have an ATI Wonder and also the Dazzle, Studio 10 programs for the video transfer.

Answer 1

There is no way to tell if there is audio or not, however, the video content should help. If you see someone talking on the screen, then there should be audio. If you just see scenery, then most probably there is no audio.

To be sure, check the tape with a second VHS player in case your first player has an audio problem. Good luck with your transfer.