Confused about conversion....

[alfonso]

The more I read about conversion, the more I learn, and the more I get confused.

I have a bunch of VHS and Hi8 tapes that I'd want to convert to digital for video editing. So here is my question:

From what I've read, to simply convert analog tapes to digital I believe I can use a digital converter such as Canopus 100 or Dazzle Hollywood Bridge, this would be one method of conversion.

The second method would be to capture and record the analog tapes directly into a digital camrcorder, right?

Since most digital camcorders have the ability to convert analog tapes into digital format, why would I want to use a digital converter in the first place? My only guess would be to save time if the conversion is directly captured into the hard drive vs transfering analog tapes into a digital camcorder and then transfering the tape into the hard drive. Does this make sense? Any help is greatly appreciated it.

thanks, al

[MacDSL]

You got it right, just pick your poison; Analog tape--Digital Tape--computer
or, Analog tape--converter--computer.

[yg1968]

Since most digital camcorders have the ability to convert analog tapes into digital format,

Actually, many camcorders do not. Most Sony digital camcorders do (except the TRV-140). Many Canon models also do. But many companies do not have it (most JVC models do not have a "video in").

Essentially, you want to make sure that your digital camcorder has a "video in" or, better yet, a passthrough feature. The passthrough feature allows you to capture VHS and other analog sources with your camcorder and pass it through directly to your computer (without having to record to a miniDV tape).

[tweedledee]

Hi, Can you tell me if the CANON MV530i has the pass through ability and are the files going into the computer AVI, MPEG 1, MPEG 2 etc?
Thanks