How do I convert my Hi8 movies on my camcorder to my compute

[orbital517]

I have a Sony Hi8 camcorder and would like to get all my movies that I have on tape and transfer them to my computer so that I can put them on DVD or VCD. I've tried to search the how to guides, but couldn't find it. Do I need to buy some kind of capture card? If so, which ones are recommended and what are the differences in them. What programs would I need on my computer to capture and convert them into DVD or VCD?

[FulciLives]

I have a Sony Hi8 camcorder and would like to get all my movies that I have on tape and transfer them to my computer so that I can put them on DVD or VCD. I've tried to search the how to guides, but couldn't find it. Do I need to buy some kind of capture card? If so, which ones are recommended and what are the differences in them. What programs would I need on my computer to capture and convert them into DVD or VCD?

Your best bet is probably to get a Canopus ADVC-100 or the DataVideo DAC-100

Both are nearly identical but most people seem to favor the Canopus I think if nothing else than the fact that Canopus is a BIG brand name in VIDEO products. As you might imagine the Canopus is also a good $75 or more than the DataVideo.

Anyway these two EXTERNAL devices hook up to your computer via the FIREWIRE port (also called IEEE 1394 or iLink as SONY calls it). The device has analog video and audio inputs. So you can hook your Hi8 camcorder up to it (or any analog video source such as a VCR or LaserDisc player etc.) and the BOX will convert your A/V signal to the DV format (just like DV camcorders use) then transfer it to your computer using software of your choice (many to pick from ... some freeware and some that are expensive).

Once you have the video on your computer you can edit it rather easily. This is what DV was made for and when working with your own camcorder footage (which most likely will require extensive editing) this is exactly what you want.

After you do your editing you have MANY option as to how to make your DVD.

You should probably read some more here on this website. Despite the fact that you said you "looked" for info I think you either didn't or didn't look very well as there is MUCH info on this website on video capture and DVD conversion etc.

Another option ... buy a new Digital8 camcorder by SONY. You can play back your Hi8 tapes (or even regular 8mm video tapes) on the Digital8 and transfer it to the computer using FIREWIRE. This is more expensive than the Canopus or DataVideo units but at least you get a new digital camcorder for furture use. All Digital8 camcorders can be hooked directly to your computer via FIREWIRE and most (nearly all) will play back analog tapes (Hi8 and 8mm) and convert to digital as if you were playing back a digital tape to begin with. Some Digital8 camcorders (most but not alll) feature analog passthru. This means you can input an analog source into the camcorder then output it as DV to your computer. In this respect the digital camcorder funcions just like the Canopus or DataVideo units.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[twodogs]

If you decide on a capture card as opposed to a firewire device described above, then this thread is recommended background reading.
https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=127563

For best capture cards, there's a link to the left, then find the button that says 'Top User Rated'[/b]

[orbital517]

Thanks for the info. How much are the cards that you mentioned? And does every "newer" computer have firewire connection, or is that something that I have to buy?

[FulciLives]

Thanks for the info. How much are the cards that you mentioned? And does every "newer" computer have firewire connection, or is that something that I have to buy?

Most new computers (for a while now) come with FIREWIRE ports. If not you can buy a PCI card to add the ports. Such a PCI card should cost you no more than $50 USD and I think most are more like $30 USD

The Canopus ADVC-100 is usually around $250 to $300 USD whereas the DataVideo DAC-100 is more like $175 to $200 USD

Try using a website like PRICEGRABBER.COM to find the lowest on-line price.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[ktnwin]

The capture cards range quite widely in price.

For Hi8 tapes, you should look into capture cards that have S-video in for best capture quality (analog capture).

If your Hi-8 camcorder is about to die and you can afford a new one, buy a Sony Digital 8 instead. It will play Hi8 tapes perfectly and can also transfer Hi8 tapes and DV tapes to computer via Firewire port (DV capture). Your future home movie will look better too since they are DV (still using inexpensive Hi8 tapes). DV capture also eliminates all the headache with dropped frames, audio out of sync which many people in this forum have ran into and many are still frustrated. With DV capture, capturing ALWAYS work perfectly.

[FulciLives]

If you decide on a capture card as opposed to a firewire device described above, then this thread is recommended background reading.
https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=127563

For best capture cards, there's a link to the left, then find the button that says 'Top User Rated'[/b]

Nothing wrong with ANALOG type capture cards (such as the AIW line by ATI or your standard TV tuner type card) but orbital517 said this was for a Hi8 camcorder so that is why I suggested (and recommend) something that can do DV capture since that is a very easy to use format if your footage needs extensive editing SUCH AS camcorder footage which so very often needs editing beyond the scope of most captures (you are generally doing more than just editing out TV commercials or just trimming the start and end points etc.)

So if you are gonna capture in DV then you might as well go with the BEST solution which is the Canopus/DataVideo devices OR a SONY Digital8 camcorder.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[DUKE107]

I only want to ad to other comments posted here is that I too have a Sony Hi8 cam and recently bought a Sony TRV25 DV cam. The picture quallity differance is unbelievable between the 2, keeping in mind the TRV608 Hi8 was one of sony's better Hi8 cams.

If you have to spend hundreds of dollars on capture card I would recomend replacing your Hi8 cam with a DV cam that has a anologe intput Pass through, this allows me to connect my Hi8 to the TRV25 with a Svideo cable and a sound cable and the TRV25 DV cam will on the fly convert my anolog to DV.

You will not only get the advantage of on the fly real time converion of your Hi8 video but you will now have a New DV cam to take future video with a much higher quality than Hi8. It is the way I would go. Just make sure the cam you are looking at buying has this anolog video in and pass through to DV format ( not all cams do it or do it without recording to tape first)