firewire vs s video vs usb for capture quality

[bfowler]

the fire wire output on my sony digital 8 camcorder does not work . the local repair shop wants 50 bucks just to look at it but i've already spent 200.00 on misc. repairs( lemon) since i purchased it three yrs. ago so i don't want to dump any more into this 400.00 camera. i have alot of accumulated 8 mm tapes( sons sports,vacation etc.) that i want to capture onto my computer to consolodate and light edit(cut and menus) and i was wondering if there is going to be a significant drop off in video quality since i cant use the fire wire out put on my camera. this particular camera also has an s video out put , composite (rca) output and a usb output. i have nero for my capturing program and i also own a dac 100 that i was going to use to convert the s video or composite signal output to digital and capture via fire wire(dac100) if the usb output is not acceptable. the results dont have to be perfect but i would like the best possible quality.

[edDV]

If you can't borrow a working camera for firewire, next best is S-Video to DAC-100 to firewire to computer.

[thecoalman]

I'd get a new cam or get the current one fixed. If your 8mm tapes were recorded on the digital cam transferring them by firewire will give you an exact copy of what is on tape.There's no conversion.

[bfowler]

thanks for the help!