Convert from Camcorder 8MM to Digital

[Christoc]

Hi

In short, I have an old Sony Camcorder and many 8MM Cassettes that I want to digitise, but I'm not sure how to do it. I have various cables and tech that I thought would enable this, but now i'm struggling.


In long...

-I have a Sony Camcorder CDD-TR50E ( https://www.manualslib.com/manual/949509/Sony-D-Tr50e.html )
-I have a Daewoo DVD + VCR recorder ( DAEWOO DF-4500P/4700P USER MANUAL Pdf Download )
-I have an Easy Cap device ( EasyCap / Easier Cap (usbtv007) Drivers and Installation | ScottDanesi.com )

The problem, as i see it, or as i dont understand it! Is what cables or device to connect to the Sony Camcorder to get this started...

The camcorder connection looks like this i.e. an 'IN hole'. See 'Cam.1' image.

The Easy Cap is also an 'IN hole'. See 'Cam.2 and Cam.3' image.


I do have another cable for the Daewoo device that is 'OUT hols' at both ends. See 'Cam.4' image.
But the Sony camcorder only has one Yellow 'IN hole'... so i dont see how that would work!!?!?!?

Any advice greatly appreciated!

Many thanks!!!

[Barrythecrab]

I think right out of the gate most people will state you need a better Hi8 camcorder with stereo audio (optional), S-video, TBC and noise reduction(NR). However NR can sometimes cause a little blurring, sometimes...
Also EZ caps are considered bottom of the barrel.
The good news is you are actually going to do your tapes, you just need some guidance.
The real smarties will post here and get you going.

[Sharc]

If the OP wants to transfer his tapes to DVDs, he could probably simply connect the yellow (composite) of the videocam to the yellow on the front of the DAEWOO, and the black (mono audio) of the videocam to the red or white on the front of the DAEWOO. Play the tape and record it to DVD according to the manual of the DAEWOO. Don't expect quality miracles though.
This may be simpler for newbies than taking the "full fledged" lossless capture route via DVD recorder in passthrough and the (not recommended) EasyCap - or a more recommended digitizer (GV-USB2, USB-live2).

(I don't have this handycam nor the DAEWOO, so it's just my speculation).

[Santiago]

There are many services that will convert your tapes. Check out the prices.

[Alwyn]

Give it a crack, you might be pleasantly surprised. There's a lot to learn but hey, if you don't try, you'll never know.

Your camcorder has only mono audio out using the RCA sockets, so in these instructions, I'm only using the white audio lead.

Cabling:

1. Plug one end of the yellow video/audio combo cable male into the camcorder's yellow socket. Connect the adjacent white plug (that's audio) into the white socket on your camcorder.

2. Connect the other ends of the video/audio combo cable to the female sockets on the ezicap (that's yellow and white); leave the red (audio) unplugged.

3. Set up AmarecTV using my guide here. For the video codec, I suggest you use UT video.

4. Fire up your camcorder and hit Play. Hopefully, you'll have a picture and sound. You can then record/capture away.

Re the audio, the above setup will give you audio on only one channel. More capable camcorders have two channels for audio-out. In your case, in software after capture, you can either copy the audio channel to the other side so it comes in "stereo" (really dual-channel mono). The other alternative is to get a audio splitter cable like one of these. You plug the single end into your camcorder's white socket and plug the other ends into the red and white Easycap sockets. That will give you fake stereo for the capture.

[dellsam34]

You can go the DV route by getting a D8 camcorder capable of playing back your analog Video tapes but that's just another rabbit hole since firewire is no longer supported by modern computers and the DV codec itself requires some conversion which will end up in a quality loss, So your best bet get them converted by a reputable and verified by this community conversion service and save the headache, If you think you can get some fun out of this, then be prepared to enter the many rabbit holes ahead of you, it is going to be a steep learning experience.

[Barrythecrab]

The rabbit hole can be fun, and even a little knowledge (and just a few more $) can improve your captures and give you a hobby you might enjoy.

[Alwyn]

Precisely Barry.