All in one tape media reader?

[pilot]

Hi,

I'm new here. I'm also fairly new (about 2 years) to video editing. I started out editing and converting recorded F1 videos to VCD, then doing home movies on VCD, and for the past few months have been toying around with DVD.

By now, most of my friends know that I do this. So, I'm editing and putting their videos on DVD as well.

My question is this, is there such a thing as a playback device that can play all 3 of the most common tape medias (miniDV, 8mm, and standard VHS)? For 8mm or Digital8, I use my trusty Sony camcorder. I have a VHS player to capture VHS. My problem is, I don't have a player for miniDV. If there is such a device, would it be cheap enough (read = under USD200) for an enthusiast like myself?

Any feedback appreciated. Thanks.

[HyperYagami]

you probably can only get a used minidv camcorder off ebay for that amount of $$$.

[solarfox]

is there such a thing as a playback device that can play all 3 of the most common tape medias (miniDV, 8mm, and standard VHS)?

There is no such device on the market that I am aware of, no. Certainly, no such deck is being sold in the consumer (i.e. the Best Buy/Fry's/Circuit City) market. I have seen a couple of specialty decks in the pro-equipment market that have both VHS and miniDV transports in the same unit, but they're a lot more than $200. (The one I saw recently was more like $1,000 -- although with S-VHS capability, Firewire output, and analog-to-DV conversion for VHS playbacks as well as full miniDV functionality, that's actually pretty reasonable!)

I'd have to agree with HyperYagami -- for $200, your best bet is would be to haunt eBay for a secondhand miniDV camcorder.

[pilot]

Thanks for the feedback solarfox and HyperYagami. Looks like more than what I'm willing to pay for.

Never thot of ebay so will take a look.

cheers!

[jlietz]

To follow up...
What about 8mm, hi-8, and digital 8. Does anyone know of a "player" that would be cheaper to buy than a digital 8 camcorder would be? In other words, must I purchase a camcorder to capture these formats?

Thanks.

[solarfox]

There are two models I am aware of -- the Sony GV-D200 and GV-D800. Both of them are Digital-8 decks with 8mm/Hi-8 playback capability; the main difference between them is that the GV-D800 has a built-in LCD screen, making it an all-in-one portable player, while the GV-D200 does not.

However, the cheapest prices I could find (Google is your friend ) for these units are $570 and $667, respectively. Considering that there are any number of Digital8 camcorders available on eBay at this very moment in the $150 - $300 price range... (There are a couple of GV-D800's up for sale, as well, but there's no telling what insane reserve prices the sellers have set...)