Hi-8 tapes...VHS passthrough to HD, or S-VHS to capture card

[The Gimp]

I have searched for this in the last 24/24 with no luck!

I need to backup a dozen or so Hi-8 90min tapes to DVD before my aging Hi-8 camera dies. There are 2 ways I could do this...

1. Use my Ti4200 vivo card to capture Hi-8 resolution tape and then encode, or
2. Use standard RCA cord to DV camcorder (passthrough) and then firewire to computer. My canon 600i doesn't input S-VHS signal, only VHS. If I use this system it means I use an inferior analogue signal, but I get DV straight to hard disk.

The first way, I use a slightly superior analogue signal, but then have to use capture card and software.

Cheers

Anyone care to suggest which gives the superior result?

[mikesbytes]

There are too many variables that could impact the overall quality. Suggest trying both methods on the same sample and see which looks best.

Alternately you could always hire or borrow a digital 8 camera, as you can put analog tapes in them and output DV to the computer.

It might be a good idea to do a backup to DV in case the hi8 camera dies prior to producing the disks.

[Hazza]

I'd bet anyday that the hardware A->D converter in your camcorder wins easilly over the nvidia 4200. Even though you are using RCA cables as opposed to S-Video it will still be great quality and dropped frames/audio sync issues will be non-existant. I can't say the same for when I tried using my GF4 for captures (as opposed to passthrough).

To be honest I know there is a difference between RCA cable and S-Video cable but on my CRT TV forget trying to pick it. I haven't tried with a HDTV etc though.

Hazza.

[videofun]

I would go for the dv solution. Having been there i believe that there is not so big difference (ie watchable) between SVideo and Composite connection. To verify this, connect your analog camcorder with your tv and just play the same clip ( one time connected with Svideo and the other with Composite) and see if there is any difference.