A lot of people of my generation still have a lot of vinyl, however a good number of those have nothing to play it on. Here a more recent solution a USB deck that allows you to play your music and even make a digital copy of it.
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It is 37x35x8cm with cables inserted. While a USB lead takes the data to your PC or MAC you will also need the hard wired RCA lead provided. This can end in two plugs or a single one and both possibilities are catered for.
Here I stress RTFM (read the !!!! manual) in fact there are two and both are clearly written (less than ten relevant pages) in a good sized type.
A little assembly of the record deck is required and you must not remove the twist of ribbon held in place by tape until you have assembled the deck as this twist allows you to stretch the belt over the motor spindle.
After this the manual for the provided Audacity software needs a read. This is public domain software and a licenced version is supplied in my case v1.3, however the printed manual is for V1.26 and differs. A look on the WWW finds v2.05.
The only possible problem is finding the correct sound card and microphone input combination once you have it all should be fine.
This is really a very powerful recording and editing package and will take some practice to get quality results. However it is worth the effort, there are help files online and these should answer your questions.
The deck itself is simple to use and works well there are two hard wired leads and a USB upsteam port on the rear. The hard wired items are a mains lead and the RCA lead.
On the front it is even simpler just three push buttons. Auto Start that picks up the arm and places it on the record, Auto Stop that removes the arm from the record and lift that just lifts the arm from the record and it remains in the exact same place until you either move it manually on press the button again. This means all these actions can take place with the Perspex cover in place.
The deck can play 33 or 45 and a simple lever controls this action.
While this is a simple unit do not confuse it with cheap alternatives on the WWW at around 40% of the price this is a quality deck at a reasonable price and the supplied stylus is also good quality, just remember to remove the plastic protective cover from it before you play your first LP or 45.
So all those precious LPs can be digitised and even cleaned up to an extent. Do not be daunted by the software it is powerful and not only straightforward digital copies can be made it is possible to overdub say your voice onto an already laid down audio track.
The Audio Technica AT-LP60USB is available from the first link below for £134 with free delivery.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00EUSMFPQ?ie=UTF8&tag=gadge0a-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634
http://eu.audio-technica.com/en/products/product.asp?catID=6&subID=42&prodID=4428
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