DVD recorder for 8mm transfer

[coeng73]

I couldn't find much information with the search tool on what I need help with. I'm trying to understand the trade-offs between purchasing a DVD recorder to backup 8mm tapes from my Sony 8mm tape deck versus using a capture card that would be connected to the tape deck from which I would create the DVDs on my PC using TMPGEnc DVD Author. Any help on this? Should I consider the new DVDirect by Sony? I'm not looking to edit the footage or create any menus on my own. I'm just looking for the simplest solution that gives decent results.

[Ender3rd]

I had the same mission in mind, transferring all my 8mm tapes to DVD. I ended up buying a Panasonic E85H and love the results. The quality is excellent and it is a breeze to transfer. It is simple to patch the sony 8mm camcorder into the front input jacks on the Panasonic and record the video to the hard drive. From there it is easy to edit if you wish, or just burn it to a DVD without any changes. No hassle, no software, perfect copy everytime. It really couldn't be easier.

Regards,

Ender

[cat44]

Ender,

Have you ever recorded directly from your Sony camcorder to a DVD-R? Several of us have found that the menu is trashed during finalization of DVD-R's on an E-55. (The recorded video is fine). However, recording from TV or from a VCR records the menus. Seems to be some interaction between Sony Camcorders and the DVD-R finalization process which trashes the thunbnails and text....at least on the E-55's.

Larry

[handyguy]

Sure, I used an e30 using S-video connectors & Hi8 & the resulting dvd-r looked just like the original.

I don't think you can expect high resolution with 8mm.

[ZippyP.]

I'm just looking for the simplest solution that gives decent results.

Capture and encode is definitely not simple.
DVD recorder = simple and good.