Hardware advice to convert HI8 to digital

[lotsill]

I'm going to keep this short and simple.

I have a HI sony camcorder with no USB, and need to get the video on my computer.

I just want the highest possible quaility for around $200 and don't care what type of formart it is orginally encode in.

To achieve the best quality do you run the signal from the camcorder to DVD player to Computer or directly from camcorder to Computer?

My two options are something like Dazzle Digital Video or a PCI/AGP capture card EX. ATI All in Wonder WinTV PVR
Price looking to spend $200

[swiego]

Although I am about to verify this for certain, I am led to believe that the best solution is to pick up a low-end Sony Digital8 camcorder that plays back Video8/Hi8 material and send it to the PC via the camcorder's onboard 1394 firewire. The camcorders include a top-notch TBC, and due to reduced number of AD/DA conversions, you get a top-notch video stream. The video is delivered in DV format.

The alternative is a Hi8 deck (I have the Sony EV-S7000---the best of the best) which can produce some stunning video output, however these tend to get pretty expensive and they arguably aren't as effective as the newer D8 camcorders when capturing. (This is what I intend to test!)

[gadgetguy]

I am led to believe that the best solution is to pick up a low-end Sony Digital8 camcorder that plays back Video8/Hi8 material and send it to the PC via the camcorder's onboard 1394 firewire.

I have a Sony DCR-TRV230 that does an excellent job of this. Check EBay, they often have this model in "like new" condition for well under $200. You may be able to find it even cheaper if there's something wrong with the optics (which won't effect playback and pass-through at all.)