To the best of my (very limited) knowledge, the MiniDV bit rate
is significantly higher than the bit rate used by DVD recorders
(at comparable quality settings, say SP).

Is this true?

If so, then converting analogue video to the MiniDV format
may be better, in terms of PQ, than converting it to MPEG2 DVD.

Is this really the case?

I am asking this because I just ordered a camcorder
that has an S-Video-to-MiniDV converter, and I was wondering
whether I would get good results in transfering my
older Hi8 tapes into MiniDVD format. How would such a
transfer compare, in terms of PQ, with a transfer
to DVD using a standalone DVD recorder
(assuming the highest quality setting of 1hour/DVD)?

Thanks for the info!

PS. Unfortunately, my camcorder specs do not give any details
about its S-Video-to-MiniDV capability (e.g., it does not specify
the converter's number of bits).