my old hi8 tapes.....

[dvnoob]

I have been using my digital dv cam for about 5 years now but before that I had a hi8 camcorder for almost 10 years. needless to say I have a million of those tapes. What is the best way to get them to DVD, do I have to go and buy some old hi8 camcorder off ebay or something?

BTW, hi8 tapes are analog?

THANKS !!!

[edDV]

I have been using my digital dv cam for about 5 years now but before that I had a hi8 camcorder for almost 10 years. needless to say I have a million of those tapes. What is the best way to get them to DVD, do I have to go and buy some old hi8 camcorder off ebay or something?

BTW, hi8 tapes are analog?

THANKS !!!

Yes Hi8 is analog. Several ways to digitize those Hi8 tapes.

1a. Buy or borrow a Hi8 player/camcorder. Capture through the "analog pass-through feature" on your miniDV camcorder if so equipped.

1b. If your MiniDV camcorder doesn't have a "analog pass through" feature then an analog capture card could be used.

2. Buy or borrow a Digital8 camcorder. A Digital8 camcorder can play Hi8 tapes 1x to DV format over a IEEE-1394 connection just like with your MiniDV camcorder. Afteryou transfer the tapes,you could resell the Digital8 camcorder on Ebay.

I like option 2 if you don't currently own a Hi8 player.

[npaulie2000]

What happened to the original hi8 camcorder you had? In any event, yes you will need a way to transfer the "hi8 tapes" to a digital format. If you have millions of these tapes I'd suggest saving your favorite parts/clips and ditching the rest unless time and money are not a constraint. And also a little more info on specs and some more legwork on your part is in order.... Peace

[dvnoob]

either way, sounds like I need to buy a hi8 camcorder.... I don't really think my jvc dvcam has a pass through, I guess $1000 didn't buy that option..... The old hi8 cam? well it started malfunctioning so I smashed it on the floor and skidded it across the room and it broke into a few large pieces. After which I went right out and bought a new one. Time and money aren't an issue with me, just the quality of the tapes.

I have a good pc, 2 gig, 1 gig ram, gf4 5700 ultra, audigy ls.... I have the 1394 capture card installed, its very old though..

my dvcam is a jvcgr-dvf31u, about 5 years old. it has:

jlip dv in/out

and a little hole called pc

on the other side it has 3 rca YWR plus an S3

THANKS FOR THE INFO SO FAR !

[TheFamilyMan]

Check this out. I don't know the price.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=207303&is=REG

Good Luck!

Edit: got the price: $530!!! But it will save you from buying a capture card. You can buy a new analog hi8 for less the $300 and a pretty decent capture card for about $100 or less. Sony makes a digit8 camcorder that plays analog tapes that is not too expensive. You could sell it when your finished, being digital may help alot on the resale.

[Quantum]

I recommend buying a Sony Digital8 camcorder that plays hi8 tapes. It has an internal TBC and DNR. The current model DCR-TRV480 can be found in the $300-$350 range new.

[solarfox]

Basically, what it comes down to is that one way or another, you're going to have to buy something.

That being established, you only have two possible routes:

(A), buy a Hi-8 camcorder and an analog-to-DV capture device. (The latter can be dispensed with if it turns out your miniDV camcorder does have passthrough after all, but you still need the former.)

(B) buy a Digital-8 camcorder that can play back analog 8mm/Hi-8 tapes and export the video as DV-over-firewire. (I was originally under the impression that all D-8 camcorders could do this, but I've since heard that some can't, so check the features list.)

Personally, I recommend option (B). It's simpler, and it allows your video-editing program to have direct control over camcordere so you can just capture the parts you need. It's also probably cheaper, especially if you pick up an older model off of eBay.

[handyguy]

ebay has lots of hi8 camcorders. I saw working Nikons once that went for $38.00

[ofbarea]

But if all that you need is converting Hi8 videos to DVD, and you do not need your videos in DV format, get a Hi8 camera and a DVD recorder.

[bnbhoha]

Agree, but a digital8 of ebay like a TRV120 and use the DV out into the recorder (if you have firewire).

[fmctm1sw]

I recommend buying a Sony Digital8 camcorder that plays hi8 tapes. It has an internal TBC and DNR. The current model DCR-TRV480 can be found in the $300-$350 range new.

Solid advice. I bought a standalone Hi8 player and what's the first thing my neighbor hands me?... a Digital 8 tape...

[Optical]

And this thing can capture like my miniDV camera can?