Can I use an analog Hi-8 to play back vid shot with a digital capable unit?

[CyyberSpaceCowboy]

Last year, I borrowed a Sony Hi-8 camcorder from a friend (sorry, I don't remember the model). It had both USB and iLink outputs. If there is a digital/analog mode setting I don't know which I was using. I ran out of hard drive space before I stored all the footage I shot (I wanted to preserve the uncompressed version to build a DVD of the event) but I kept the tapes. I was waiting to buy more storage until I built a new PC, but now I am out of space for real and will have to buy a new hard drive anyway. I'm also interested in getting my own camcorder and thought it would be as easy to buy one compatible with the tapes I still need to transcribe as to borrow the camcorder back.

I went looking on eBay and was surprised to see the majority of Hi-8's only had analog RGB out and shocked at the price even these were bringing. By comparing the model numbers to Sony's website, I can ID those few that support iLink, but can can easily buy one of those new 1 hour capacity SD card "HD" camcorders for the same price (Webby?).

Do the iLink Sony's shoot in different format than the ones with only an analog output (and does the format vary between brands)? I know there are analog to USB converters, and I have Hauppauge cards with component input, but I'd loose software control of the camera and probably a lot of the picture quality (short term these go to YouTube but I'd still like to preserve DVD quality output).

If an older analog camera won't work, I don't see any reason to stay married to Hi-8 and will probably buy a solid state recorded for myself. Thanks

[thecoalman]

You had a digital 8, they use the same tapes as a hi-8.

Digital 8 is DV and the most most widely used format. It's the same thing used on mini-dv albeit on much smaller tape.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital8

The cost of the cameras on ebay is probably due to their scarcity.

Once you get them off digital 8 you transfer losslessy to mini-dv for storage. Since there is so many mini-dv cams there won't be as much an issue in the future finding playback devices. They still use the same tape in current HDV models.

[CyyberSpaceCowboy]

Wow, Coalman, that was fast. Sounds like my best bet is to borrow back the original camcorder, then go with a more current format. The Wiki you pointed me too makes it clear a "cheap" used analog camera would do me no good. Thanks

[thecoalman]

Assuming space is not an issue don't convert the file to anything. It's DV assuming your transferring over firewire and not doing some lame conversion on the fly. It's bit for bit copy of what's on tape. The only concern you'll ever have with compatibility is making sure the storage medium is current. Files formats go obsolete but there is probably billions hours of footage in DV format so it's not going anywhere soon. It's a nice added benefit of digital, you only need the software.