Hi:

I want to archive about 15 two hour Hi8 tapes to DVD. I am using a Sony TRV-460 to digitize the signal, and output via Firewire.

To keep things very simple, this is connected to a Sony standalone DVD recorder, the new DVDirect VRD-MC1:
http://www.sonyburners.com/dvdirect/product.php?ID=1633442038
I am not using a PC/burner.

The Sony standalone DVD recorder has very vague quality settings from HQ (High) (1 hour on a single layer disc) on down. To fit 2 hours of MPEG-2 on a single-layer disc, I have to drop down 2 quality settings to SP (Standard).

My objective is to lose no detail in the 400 line resolution on the native Hi8 tape. So my question is this: Given the Hi8 signal source, will I lose anything at the SP setting on the VRD-MC1?

I know my options are to use dual-layer discs, or split each Hi8 tape across two single-layer discs, but if SP on this standalone recorder will provide as good or better quality as the Hi8 tape, then that's the way to go.

Unfortunately, Sony provides no data on what their quality settings mean, and just references MPEG-2 hardware encoding on the spec sheet:
http://www.sonyburners.com/media/VRD-MC1.pdf
Reviews and test reports haven't revealed anything either.

I know I have given up some quality by going directly to MPEG-2, but I am seeking the best compromise between preserving the original signal and simplicity for this project.

Thanks in advance!

new-frog