8mm to DVD for hubby

[Lynda]

I need to purchase one of those recorders that transfer 8mm to dvd's for my hubby. Websites are confusing so I'll leave it up to you experts. We have Windows 2000, an IBM laptop and I want to buy a user friendly device that can transfer all his 8mm to DVD so we all can enjoy. I can't afford something really pricy and I don't want to send my 8mm out so someone else can do it for me. He has alot of them and I know we'll more in the future. Any advice for me. Thanks. Lynda

[Marvingj]

If you want to do it cheap & no thrills. Buy a Used Hi8 camcorder. Camcorder to DVD recorder. Can't get much simplier. But if you need , to get it best as can, get a professional...

[jlietz]

I want to buy a user friendly device that can transfer all his 8mm to DVD...He has alot of them and I know we'll more in the future.

I agree with Marvingj - camcorder to DVD recorder is the easiest way to go. However, your statement that you will have more in the future makes me wonder if you really have 8mm (Video8) tapes or not. More likely, you have Hi8 or Digital8 (who still uses a plain old 8mm camcorder?) To confuse the issue, each tape looks the same.

Anyway, my point is this: If your camcorder was purchased post 1999, the tapes could be Digital8, in which case purchasing a Hi8 camcorde would be a waste of money. You would need a Digital8 camcorder instead, preferably one that is backwards compatible with Video8 and Hi8 for the older tapes (Sony DCR-TRV460 and DCR-TRV480 are good choices.)

Having said that, why buy a different device for transferring? Whynot just use the camcorder you already have? You can output the signal to a DVD recorder, or if you already have a Digital8 camcorder with analog-digital passthru, you could output the video via firewire to your PC.

What kind of camcorder do you presently have? What manufacturer and model no?

[Almost Human]

Could she be talking about Regular 8mm or Super8 reel to reel video?

[mikel]

Do you mean FILM?

[Lynda]

ok guys sorry for the confusion. not a tech wizard ya know. I have old camcorder. these tapes say Sony Hi8 MP; 8mm video Cassette, 120 video Hi8 and sayd 60 Digital 8 on it. does that help.

[Lynda]

Also info on the camcorder we have is: Hitachi. don't see a model number. It's got some age on it. and is heavy and bulky but works just fine for now.

[jlietz]

ok guys sorry for the confusion. not a tech wizard ya know. I have old camcorder. these tapes say Sony Hi8 MP; 8mm video Cassette, 120 video Hi8 and sayd 60 Digital 8 on it. does that help.

Not really The markings on the tape don't mean much to the underlying video format used in the camcorder since the tapes are pretty much interchangeable between the 3.

But if its "old", its probably not Digital8.

[jlietz]

Also info on the camcorder we have is: Hitachi. don't see a model number. It's got some age on it. and is heavy and bulky but works just fine for now.

Let's clarify what exactly you are asking here:

Do you want to get another machine to play your tapes? If your camcorder works just fine, why bother getting a new one to play the existing tapes back? Or are you looking for a device that puts your video on DVD?

[Lynda]

Yes. this is wha I'm asking for. a reasonably priced device that will take my 8mm's and make dvd's out of them. Thanks.

[SingSing]

Pick up a Toshiba DVD recorder at target, and buy him a nice silk tie too.

See : http://www.target.com/gp/search.html/602-7635840-0412632?field-keywords=dvd+recorder&u...&ref=sr_bx_1_1

[jlietz]

Yes. this is wha I'm asking for. a reasonably priced device that will take my 8mm's and make dvd's out of them.

DVD recorder is the easiest way to go. Take the a/v cable(s) that came with your camcorder, connect them to the video inputs of the DVD recorder. Hit record on the DVD recorder, press play on the camcorder. No computer required. Use DVD-R or DVD+R blanks for recording (whichever your DVD recorder supports...) Total time per tape = however long the tape is. If each tape is 2 hours long, it will take 2 hours to record each tape.

Although it is more difficult, if you want to edit the video, use DVD/RW discs in the DVD recorder, then rip the DVD contents to your PC. You can then use a varitey of editors (I recommend MPEG Video Wizard DVD) to edit the video and author a new DVD. You would then need to burn the new DVD in a DVD-ROM on your computer. Total time per tape = will vary, but will be at least as long as the tape duration + plus editing time + authoring time + DVD burning time. I'd say at least 1 hour more per tape, all other things being equal.

[Lynda]

thanks for the replies and direction. Maybe I will try and do it for him myself and custom make a dvd along with the tie.. Lynda

[theewizard]

yes a standalone DVD recorder with will be the easiest way to go

prices start at around $79 and go up

you could get a video capture device for the PC, but the process would be about the same, but take more time

you would hook up the av cables from the camcorer to the capture device run the softwatware on the pc play the tape to capture to the HD, then you would need to burn the DVD, does the PC have a DVD burner ?

then depending on harddrive space, delete the files and start over for the next tape

get the dvd recorder hok up the tv ( to see whats on the tape ) hook up the camera, record

do one or 2 while he is at work

then give him the dvds and the recorder ..I'm sure he will be a HAPPY MAN

[Lynda]

WE have a separate dvd burner. good idea