Hi-8 playback source

[Cingular]

Hello everyone,

I have read though the forums quite a bit, and from what I can tell the high end "Digital 8" camcorders such as the TRV-740, TRV-820, TRV-840 and the GV-D200, GV-D800 are better playback sources because their electronics/noise reduction qualities somewhat better than high end vintage decks such as the EV-S7000 which dates to 1994.

Do the TRV-740, TRV-820, TRV-840 camcorders offer any advantage over the GV-D200, GV-D800? I hear that they offer the same performance? If so, then why are people gravitating toward the camcorders rather than this Digital 8 VCR? Wouldn't the GV-D200, GV-D800 offer an edge over the TRV-740, TRV-820, TRV-840 type cameras?

I am guessing that there is no real disadvantage to using a camcorder over a deck in terms of playback?

The Sony Digital 8 Walkmans are still on B&H photo's website:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?ci=5246&N=4291078617+4291215468

[moxiecat]

I believe there are advantages to using a natively-analog deck/camcorder for 8mm/Hi8 tapes (such as the EV-S7000) rather than a natively-digital deck like the D200/D800. The S7000 does have TBC and adjustable DNR--it's a pretty decent unit.

Do a search on this forum for more details; I'm pretty sure a discussion on analog vs. digital decks for 8mm/Hi8 discussion took place here a year or so ago.

The only reason I can find for people choosing a Digital8 camcorder over a Digital8 deck is that the decks are more expensive and frequently not in stock at electronics retailers (at least that was my experience a year ago when I bought one).

[Cingular]

Actually I have searched the forums about Hi-8 playback decks. The consensus was that it was somewhat inconclusive. The EV-S7000 was better at tracking, and the noise reduction of the Digital 8 units/TBC, newer technology was better overall. At least, that is what I have found thus far.


I will look around on the forum some more.

Thanks for your insight/information.

[edDV]

All the high end Digital8's are out of production. Electronically The GV-D200/800 are identical for performance to the 740 (same generation) but the deck packaging is better for buttons, tape change and connector I/O. I sometimes use my D200 to record off an older Hi8 camcorder. It takes the same N series batteries as the early Hi8 camcorders. Battery operation is also great for in field editing with a laptop.

I haven't done a comparison but I'd expect the pro EV decks to outperform when connected to a pro frame sync or frame TBC.

[deuce8pro]

There would be no need using the d8 cam's to play back your hi8 tapes with another tbc as well.

[edDV]

There would be no need using the d8 cam's to play back your hi8 tapes with another tbc as well.

The EV decks don't have a frame memory TBC.

[Cingular]

The EV-S7000 has some sort of TBC as referenced by the "TBC" light on the unit. What type of TBC is on the EV-S7000 and why is it not optimal?

edDV:

What is a "frame memory TBC?"

How is a "frame memory TBC" better, how does it help?

Do the Sony camcorders TRV-740, TRV-820, TRV-840, etc. have this "frame memory TBC?"

[edDV]

The EV-S7000 will have a line TBC which is good for Hi8. All sony players with TBC would be line memory TBC.

A frame based TBC has one or more frames of memory. These would be used for the next level of quality. A good example is the FOR.A FA series. These would be used in pro dub houses.

http://www.for-a.com/products/fa125/fa125.html
http://www.for-a.com/products/category/frame_synchronizers_time_base_co.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=For.A%20Tbc&N=0

[Cingular]

I have talked to For-A on two occasions in regard to their Time Base Correctors. I asked them, in terms of application which unit would be best for a VHS/Hi-8 to digital conversion. It seems that their product line is geared toward professional broadcast, and they are unfamiliar with someone using their equipment in that manner.

For-A's choice of a TBC for this application minus the digital conversion was the FA-125. The FA-125 does have a built in proc-amp, the controls are in little holes designed for screwdriver access.

If you use a FA-125 does it make the use of a Proc amp such as the Data Video PA-200 or Elite Video units redundant?

edDV what type of TBC is in the Data-Video TBC-1000? How does it compare to the FA-125?

edDV, so, in summary, it seems from you experience that at For-A FA-125 is a significantly? better solution than the Data video TBC-1000 or AV toolbox AVT-8710?

Thanks for your help

[edDV]

...
edDV what type of TBC is in the Data-Video TBC-1000? How does it compare to the FA-125?

edDV, so, in summary, it seems from you experience that at For-A FA-125 is a significantly? better solution than the Data video TBC-1000 or AV toolbox AVT-8710?

Thanks for your help

You asked for the best quality.

I haven't compared them side by side. I'd expect the FA-125 to offer better performance. Contact your local FOR.A dealer and request a comparison.

[lordsmurf]

I just finished buying a really nice TBC, it's supposed to have "sparkle reduction/removal" in addition to normal TBC and frame sync. We'll see!

[Bix]

LS, what's the brand/model #?

[lordsmurf]

I don't want to share just yet ..... let's see if it works first. I have a PERFECT tape for it as a test.

[Bix]

Is it it a prosumer or professional TBC? I'm curious who the sparkle remover would be marketed to and how it works.

[vhelp]

Hi all..my job gave me the day off

I too am interested, for tapes that I made recordings of the olympics on--they were done on cheap (sony and a few other cheaper) tapes in EP mode.

-vhelp 5252