HI8 to DVD

[pred02]

Hi,

We have about 7-10 Hi8 tapes taken from the period 1992-1998 with our old camcorder that I would like to convert to the DVD format. The logic behind this transfer is that the tapes, over the years and number of times played, would degrade in quality (since they are analogue) and if I digital archive them they would be preserved in good shape for years to come. Also, there is the convience of playing them back on standalone DVD players which are a universal format for now.

Reading a bit on the Internet, I figured the best way to do this would be by optaining a Digital8 VCR/Camcorder and then using firewire (1394) port to do the digital transfer from tape to the converter. However, we do not have a Digital8 camcorder and do not seek the need as this technology is now obsolete as well (with DVD camcorders and the new 720p/1080i camcorders that are just arriving now).

In essence, would it be worthwhile to buy a used Digital8 camcorder on eBay or to rent one. I have not seen many places that still rent out the Digital8 camcorders, however, a ballpark figure is something like $50 a day. This seems a bit much, especially since I don't think one day is enough to transfer all the tapes. First of all, I do not have the HD space for 8 DVD quality tapes, and secondly it will probably take some time/experimenting until I get it just right.

For this purpose, does it make sense to buy a used Digital8 camcorder to do the transfer, on eBay or such, and then maybe after the transfer is done to resell it on ebay. Even with the loss between the two purchases, this idea perhaps makes sense?

The other option is to use anaolgue out (SVHS) from the current Hi8 camcorder into the VIVO video card that we have (Geforce 7800gtx), but I think at the start there will be some picture loss?

Does anyone have any better ideas? If so, is there anything I should know before I endevour on this project?

Also, if to purchase a Digital8 camcorder, are there any specific features I need to look for in a camcorder, or basically any simple model will do (that has iEEE)?

I want them archieved without any fancy features. What software is recommended for this task?

Thanks,
George

[julitomg]

Hi
Another option is to get a standalone (tabletop)DVD Recorder if your Hi8 camcorder still works well(remember to clean the heads often). That way would be practical if you just want to transfer your tapes as they are, without too much editing. Hi8 tapes were very prone to decay over time(even when they were new, dropouts were very common)so you might consider using a TBC.

[Cornucopia]

(Confirming you're research) While I don't think it is a good move in the long run for a consumer to go with Digital8 (not ubiquitous like DV tape, no upward path to HD), I think a rental would be highly recommended...

#1 Reason is that Digi8 cameras will automatically convert the Hi8 stuff to DV for you AND do pass-through (with most Digi8 cameras--check to make sure first).
#2 Reason is that the quality through the camera will be much better because the conversion to digital is done directly from the component (Y/C) signal off the tape. No addditional D/A and A/D stages(as would going out to converter box via S-Video or Composite), and no color/resolution loss from going out Composite.
#3 Reason is that Total cost wouldn't be more than ~$100 (2 days rental) + ~$200 (2 x 120GB HD's bought) = Total ~$300, asssuming you already have the PC and software. Could be less than that...

Another way to go would be to have a Service/Production Company do it for you, as long as it's cheap enough (cheaper than the above), and they also follow a similar high-quality transfer path:
Hi8tape --> Digi8camera --> DV cable --> FirewireCard --> PC capture --> DV file --> Nearly lossless DV edits --> Encode to MPEG2 and Author DVD.
Another path would be:
Hi8tape --> Digi8camera --> DV cable --> DVD recorder w/FirewireInputs --> DVD. It would be raw/unedited, but would be quite quick (not much more than realtime). The company I work for could do that for $25/2hr DVD or ~$250 total (not counting shipping, etc). I'm sure there's others that could do it similarly, possibly cheaper.

You could buy a DVD recorder of your own that has Firewire inputs (?? ~$250 ??) and just pay for the rental of the camera. It's a littler higher cost, but you get to keep the DVD recorder (for other purposes ) once it's done.

$50/day is actually quite reasonable for equipment rental of that type.

Scott

>>>>>>>>>
edit: Do you want to be able to archive the intermediate DV files for later up-conversion to another format (HDDVD/BluRay)?
Do you need the tapes to be edited?
Those'll help determine whether you want to go the PC route or the DVD recorder route.

[LloydAZ]

If you buy or rent a Digital8 camcorder to do the transfers, make sure that it will play non-digital tapes. The model that I have will not play 8mm or Hi-8 tapes. Only Hi-8 that are recorded in digital.

Take Care,
Lloyd

[Cornucopia]

It's easy to tell which ones do and which don't do pass-through...

Google search: [sony digital 8 pass through]

Scott

[TheFamilyMan]

Have you tried using your VIVO connector on your graphics to capture any of this footage? You may be suprised with the results and it won't cost you anything extra to try it. You'll need to plug the camcorder audio into your sound card (or integrated sound) input. The capture program will merge the video and audio. Realize that the AVI files created by using either the firewire or the VIVO are VERY large (10s to 100+ of gigs, depending on the resolution and time span) and will need to be run though an MPEG2 compression application before the they will be ready for creating a DVD. Also, the quality of the processed footage should be judged by watching the final product (a DVD) on a television, so don't be discouraged if the captured AVI files (either firewire or VIVO) look marginal (or plain and simply strange) when played on the computer.

[pred02]

Hi,

I tried VIVO and the quality does not seem that good, there is a noticable difference between viewing the tape originally, and then viewing it through VIVO. That amy be because viewing it on the computer LCD looks like crap, however, I think I will go down the DV route.

I was thinking of buying a used Sony DV camera, off eBay, using it for this purpose, and then selling it back onto the eBay. I will probably lose some $ in the process, but $50 a day seems a lot for renting especially since the project will certantly take more then one day. I don't know how long it will take to get through all the tapes, of course I don't have enough space on my hard disc to dump all into DV format, so I probably have to do it one by one.

Can anyone recmmoned any Sony Digital8 that do digital 8 pass through for HI8? I will be buying used off ebay.

I won't retain the camera for much thereafter, will dump it again on ebay.

Thanks

[gadgetguy]

My Sony DCR-TRV230 does passthrough well and can also play HI8 and output to firewire, so you could look for one of those.

[tphaggerty]

Unless you are planning to covert a lot of tapes (I have converted well over 50+ of my own) - AND - assuming that you are NOT planning to by a standalone DVD recorder anyway, I would suggest having it done commercially. Even at $50/tape you will be way ahead in money and TIME!! (and I think a simple conversion of a 2 hour tape to 2 DVDs is probably significantly less than 50). (Then buy some TDK Armoured DVDs and copy the DVDs to them for really long lasting archive copies).

The learning curve and equipment costs for doing this right are pretty steep and I just don't see that it is worth it for 7 to 10 tapes.

[INFRATOM]

if you don't have your 8mm camcorder or it doesn't work you have to buy one. if you had to buy get one with digital feed through. if it works above said options plus you can record it to your mini tape camcorder, tapes are cheaper and you would have enough time to gradually convert them (No quality loss too). converting to dvd depending may not come out clear clean until you get all the tricks. Try dvd recorder first you can buy one for around $70.

[handyguy]

You don't have to buy one, just go to Circuit City & buy an open box one & return it later.

I input my HI8 to my Dvd recorder, push record. Makes a dvd, so easy.

[pred02]

I'm not employed (looking for work), so I got some free time

Ok, I am pretty handy with computers, got a DVD burner have played around with Premier and whatnot before, so DIY seems like a valuable option.

If I buy something on eBay, use it for a couple of weeks, then sell it again, on a $150 purchase the most I can lose is $50. Even then it comes out way cheaper, plus its a learning process.

Pro guys are very expensive, I remember it cost $50 for a PAL to NTSC conversion back in 1992. And it wasn't even that good.