Reading 8 mm and HI8 tapes in Digital8?

[tentate]

Hi: I have 8 mm tapes recorded in pal B, and HI8 tapes recorded in NTSC.
My question: is it possible to read both in a digital8 camcorder? (with backward compatibility, of course), or you need a "digital8 pal" for the first case and a "digital8 Ntsc" camcorder for the second?
Thanks, Luis

[edDV]

Hi: I have 8 mm tapes recorded in pal B, and HI8 tapes recorded in NTSC.
My question: is it possible to read both in a digital8 camcorder? (with backward compatibility, of course), or you need a "digital8 pal" for the first case and a "digital8 Ntsc" camcorder for the second?
Thanks, Luis

The latter.

If it makes you feel better there has never been a dual standard Digital8 or MiniDV camcorder. Some MiniDV models will play the opposite standard to the viewfinder but not to video or over Firewire.

[tentate]

Thank you for the answer.
Then one more question: If I want to buy a Digital8 camcorder, a Sony TRV460 for instance, how do I realize it is Pal or NTSC?, because I look for them in ebay and there is no info about it, just "TRV460". Is there any way to know it? thanks again

[JohnnyMalaria]

Sony usually puts an E (for Europe) at the end for PAL, e.g. TRV460E. Best thing is to ask the seller.

[turk690]

All Sony PAL D8 camcorders also play back NTSC D8 tapes, and vice-versa. This feature is undocumented and is true even to its current handful of DV camcorder models. This is with D8 and DV; I don't know if, as in the case of the DCR-TRV460 it will behave the same when playing back analogue 8 and Hi8. And even if it did, playing back an NTSC tape on a PAL-designated Sony camcorder requires certain trickery to be able to capture the stream by FireWire.

[edDV]

All Sony PAL D8 camcorders also play back NTSC D8 tapes, and vice-versa. This feature is undocumented and is true even to its current handful of DV camcorder models. This is with D8 and DV; I don't know if, as in the case of the DCR-TRV460 it will behave the same when playing back analogue 8 and Hi8. And even if it did, playing back an NTSC tape on a PAL-designated Sony camcorder requires certain trickery to be able to capture the stream by FireWire.

I'd love to here the trickery details. Any links?

[danno78]

Digital8 NTSC models with Hi8/8mm playback will play:
Digital8 PAL and NTSC tapes
Hi8/8mm (analog recording over 8mm tapes) with NTSC format
Warning: These models don`t play Pal analog recording.
I have DCR-TRV 460 (US model) and this camcorder show this behavior
mentioned above.

Digital8 PAL models with Hi8/8mm playback will play all tapes regardless of its format (Pal or NTSC). These models have E (from Europe) point at the end of name. Ex. DCR-TRV 460E.
So Pal version will play:
D8 PAL and NTSC
8mm/Hi8 Pal and Ntsc tapes. Analog regording (both Pal and NTSC) are coverted in digital form (DV format) over firewire and also are transmitted to the Svideo and composite output. NTSC tapes are played in NTSC format, not converted to Pal. From menu, analog output can be set in two ways:
On Pal TV - PAL60 format, a mixt between Pal and NTSC.
NTSC 4.43 - true ntsc format.

So, PAL version will cover all situations.

Attention: some old models without LongPlay recording don`t play LP tapes. I have DCR-TRV 110E and this camcorder don`t play Digital8 tapes with LP recording.

Daniel

[edDV]

I wish I had some PAL Hi8 and D8 tapes to test.

I'd like even more to have dual standard record capability. Instead I use my Canopus ADVC-100 to record PAL DV to my laptop.

Anyone know if any low end HDV or AVCHD camcorders are dual standard? I only know of the upper range JVC GY-HM100U/200U and the Panasonic HVX-200. The Sony XDCAM's are single standard.

[SingSing]

Hi: I have 8 mm tapes recorded in pal B, and HI8 tapes recorded in NTSC.
My question: is it possible to read both in a digital8 camcorder? (with backward compatibility, of course), or you need a "digital8 pal" for the first case and a "digital8 Ntsc" camcorder for the second?
Thanks, Luis

Depends what and ghow many of these tapes you have.
If you only has one of each, then it may make sense to send it out to get on a DVD.
That will cost less to buy equipment to deal with them.

[JohnnyMalaria]

ed - how about a DSR-11? Rugged buggers.

[edDV]

ed - how about a DSR-11? Rugged buggers.

I'm not sure. I'll have to get some PAL recorded test tapes next trip to PAL land. I have no way to record PAL to Hi8, D8 or MiniDV. Sony claims their consumer DV products are separated by standard.

Like this statement for the GV-D800
"PAL Playback on NTSC
Adds the ability to playback a PAL recorded cassette on the GV-D800 only and only on the 4" LCD screen."
http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&stor...uctId=11028837

The Sony Broadcast DSR-11 does say
" •System - NTSC/PAL switchable"
http://www.broadcaststore.com/store/model_detail.cfm?id=20410

[JohnnyMalaria]

The DSR-11 is indeed so. There's a mechanical switch on the rear to select PAL or NTSC. The only con (if it is one) is that these decks are so sought after that they have held their price well. Jolly happy with my pair.

[rorqual244]

I am trying to read Video 8 tapes on my Sony TRV260, without success. The camcorder reads and records to Hi 8, but it will not play the standard 8 mm tapes. Is there some setting I need to change to read these? The manual states "You can use standard 8 mm and Hi8 video cassettes on your camcorder."

Any help will be appreciated.

[edDV]

I am trying to read Video 8 tapes on my Sony TRV260, without success. The camcorder reads and records to Hi 8, but it will not play the standard 8 mm tapes. Is there some setting I need to change to read these? The manual states "You can use standard 8 mm and Hi8 video cassettes on your camcorder."

Any help will be appreciated.

The Sony TRV260 is a lower end model that records DV format to 8mm tape (Video8 or Hi8). That particualr model lacks ability to play analog Video8 or Hi8 tapes. I think the 460/480 models were the lowest with the analog tape play features in that model year. Check your manual.
http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/sony-dcr-trv260-camcorder-review.htm

[rorqual244]

Thanks for such a quick response. I wish I had read that before picking this one up. My main purpose is to digitize my old Video 8 tapes. Then I was thinking I could use an intermediary (VHS) as it states in the manual, but who has a Firewire connection on their VCR? It also states if I use S Video the audio would not transfer. This has become a real problem to get these tapes digitized. Maybe I should use a service.

[edDV]

Thanks for such a quick response. I wish I had read that before picking this one up. My main purpose is to digitize my old Video 8 tapes. Then I was thinking I could use an intermediary (VHS) as it states in the manual, but who has a Firewire connection on their VCR? It also states if I use S Video the audio would not transfer. This has become a real problem to get these tapes digitized. Maybe I should use a service.

That model does have "analog pass through". You can connect analog camcorders or VHS decks to the A/V inputs and the 260 will live transfer to DV format over IEEE-1394 for capture on a computer.

[rorqual244]

Is the A/V input the mini plug with the yellow and white RCA plugs or the S-video, because the manual does not mention input anywhere but the Firewire?

[edDV]

Is the A/V input the mini plug with the yellow and white RCA plugs or the S-video, because the manual does not mention input anywhere but the Firewire?

Usually it is a multi-ring miniplug breakout cable with yellow-red-white RCA and sometimes S-Video. The same cable sometimes doubles for in and out depending on mode settings.

[edDV]

The manual is here
http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/model-documents.pl?mdl=DCRTRV260&region_id=1
P-68 doesn't mention analog pass through or analog recording.

Maybe this model lacks the feature. The Camcoderinfo review may have been wrong.

[rorqual244]

Thanks for all your knowledgeable input. I guess this camera will NOT do what I bought it for, transfer Video 8 tapes. The manual does not say it will play them if they were recorded in Video 8 format; just use them to record digitally. Quite deceiving. And it does not have video pass through capabilities, there is no mention of it in the manual. Sony FAQs say to check the manual, so I presume there is nothing more to do. It's going on eBay.

Thanks again, you saved me hours of frustration.