Cheap TBC and hi8

[zoobie]

Is buying a low-end TBC ($125-200) between the analog source (hi8 camera) and DV converter worth the money for improvement before going to DVD?
Thanks for any comments.

[zoobie]

My other option is to take my analog to a professional company and have them run it off thru a high end TBC and capture to miniDV tape. This would then be played back via some cheapo camera into my computer. Then edited and outputted to DVD.

Comments on each methods quality?

[zoobie]

Any comments on the above?
Thx

[steve2713]

A suggestion: change your thread title to something that pertains to your question. People see 'Options', you're not giving anyone any hint of what you're asking.

Change it to something like 'Buying cheap TBC vs. no TBC at all' or 'Cheap TBC vs. Professional work', etc. That way people will at least have an idea as to what you're asking, and will help people doing searches in the future as well.

[zoobie]

You know, I think I had "cheap tbc" as the original title..heh heh...Thx

[richdvd]

Hey Doobie...I guess it depends on how bad your source is. If it's good, then try and convert it without a TBC. If it's bad then either get a Datavideo TBC 1000 or take your tapes in and get them done. I, personally wouldn't bother buying a cheap TBC.

[edDV]

Hi8 usually plays back fine without a TBC.
Hi8 problems are usually

1) dropouts - fixed by high end TBC with dropout compensation
2) levels - needs proc amp function and somebody to adjust scene by scene during capture. Full service includes scene by scene color correction but now we are into big bucks.

I've been searching for a software dropout filter without success so far.

[zoobie]

I have a good source...Canon A1 Hi8 camera with a high quality s-video cable recorded on the highest quality metal evaporative tapes.
If I can do this at home, the only thing I'd really like is a 4 head hi8 deck to source from rather than my 2 head camera.
Thx