Transferring Hi8 tapes to DVD HDD recorder

[gary71]

I am attempting to transfer some 1990s Hi8 video cassetes.
They were recorded on a Sony CCD TR707E Hi8 camcorder. The original camcorder packed up a long time ago but I recently obtained a second hand replacement - exact same model.
I am attempting to transfer them to a Panasonic DMR EX773 DVD HDD Recorder that is connected to TV.

Good news is that when playing my old cassettes in camcorder they seem to be playing perfect when viewed in the viewfinder (the camcorder has no screen - just the viewfinder - par for the course at the time of manufacture). Picture is clear, no noticeable deterioration of recordings, good stability etc.

However, when I connect to the DVD Recorder (3xRCA out of camcorder into Scart on back of DVD Recorder), and view on TV, the picture appears somewhat scrambled - pic shaky in places, horizontal lines on picture and some black square blocks to right side of picture. (tried using S video cable and was even worse)

I do not believe this is a tape issue, as looked fine on camcorder viewfinder. I also did all obvious things like cleaned heads, FF and REWIND cassettes several times, etc, prior to starting work. Additionally, in all other respects the camcorder I am using seems to be working fine. However, I did check what happened if I put it onto camera mode (rather than playback) and used DVD Recorder and TV as a monitor. Again, the viewfinder image looked clear but the image on screen had lines etc.

Another trick I tried was routing the camcorder through an old VHS machine, and from that into the DVD Recorder. This gave an improvement but still by no means acceptable (less horizontal lines and no black blocks, but still some fuzzy black to right of picture).

Any advice appreciated. Do I have a fatal issue with the video output from the camcorder here (should add that audio is fine) and need to look for another one, or is there anything else I can try?

Should I try using a A/V converter and then going into HDMI input on DVD Recorder rather than scart? Or perhpas transfering to a PC rather than a DVD Recorder?

Thanks in advance for any help anyone can give

[pchan]

Referring to the user manual from pg 60-61.
https://archive.org/details/manual_CCDTR707E_SM_SONY/page/n33/mode/2up

Just connect the RCA from camcorder to your Panasonic DMR EX773 front RCA input as see if it fixes the TV display problem.
If you have S-video cable, then it's a better option then RCA.

[gary71]

Referring to the user manual from pg 60-61.
https://archive.org/details/manual_CCDTR707E_SM_SONY/page/n33/mode/2up

Just connect the RCA from camcorder to your Panasonic DMR EX773 front RCA input as see if it fixes the TV display problem.
If you have S-video cable, then it's a better option then RCA.

No RCA inputs on front or rear of Panasonic.
Only RCAs are on back and they are red, white, yellow OUTPUTS only.

[pchan]

Did you use this type of adapter to connect to rear of Panasonic?


[Attachment 93569 - Click to enlarge]

Unfortunately no RCA inputs only SCART.


[Attachment 93570 - Click to enlarge]

If possible get this adapter with RCA/S-Video to SCART adapter from Aliexpress.


[Attachment 93571 - Click to enlarge]

[gary71]

Did you use this type of adapter to connect to rear of Panasonic?


[Attachment 93569 - Click to enlarge]

Unfortunately no RCA inputs only SCART.


[Attachment 93570 - Click to enlarge]

Yes those are the connectors and inputs Im using. I've also tried cable with 3 RCA s on one end (camcorder) and scart on other end (DVD recorder), so not needing the adapter. Same result with both options

[pchan]

Your Panasonic DVD recorder only has SCART port for video input. How did you connect your RCA from camcorder to DVD recorder without an adapter ?

[gary71]

Your Panasonic DVD recorder only has SCART port for video input. How did you connect your RCA from camcorder to DVD recorder without an adapter ?

cable with 3 x RCA on one end from camcorder. Scart on other end of cable, into DVD recorder

[pchan]

OK, you use an adapter. Here is the respond from Google AI.

Ah, that makes total sense—the UK/European models of the Panasonic DMR-EX773 lack the front-facing RCA jacks commonly found on the international variants.
Since you must use the rear AV2 (EXT) SCART socket shown in your image, we need to bypass a specific European firmware restriction regarding Q-Link / EXT Link and input signals.
Follow these steps on your UK unit to get the video to pass through:
1. Disable "Ext Link" (Crucial for UK Models)
On UK models, the AV2 SCART port defaults to a "Smart Link" mode meant for external digital set-top boxes. If this is active, it locks out standard analogue inputs.
• Press FUNCTION MENU on the remote.
• Select Others > Setup > Connection.
• Look for Ext Link and change it to OFF.

2. Force the AV2 Input to Analog Video
• In that same Connection menu, look for AV2 Settings.
• Select AV2 Input and change it from RGB or RGB/Video to strictly Video. This tells the recorder to look for the standard yellow RCA composite signal coming from your adapter.
3. Change "AV2 Connection" to Decoder
• In the same menu, if you see an option for AV2 Connection, ensure it is set to Decoder or Standard (not TV or Q-Link).

4. Cycle Through the Input Sequence
• Exit the setup menus.
• Press the INPUT SELECT button on your remote.
• Pay close attention to the small front LED panel on the physical box. Ensure it cycles exactly to A2.

5. Check the Adapter (Bi-directional Cable Trick)
If the settings are correct and you still get a blank screen, it usually comes down to the adapter hardware.
• If you are using a fixed cable (RCA on one end, SCART on the other), it is likely an Output-only cable (designed to send video from a SCART device to an RCA TV).
• For a camcorder setup, you specifically need an Input-enabled adapter block with a physical switch, or a cable specifically labeled "RCA to SCART" (directional video flow).