Backing Up Digital 8 Tapes

[KaptinK]

Is it possible to backup (copy) with a firewire link the digital stream exactly 'asis'. I would like an exact replica of the tape on my hard disk. I am aware that it is approx 13GB / hour, that's fine. Also, is there software that can take that exact copy format and convert to 'whatever' format - most likely DVD. I have Sony Vegas Movie Studio 6, and am aware of many other conversion routes documented in these forums.

My system is an Athlon 64 3200 with firewire link. The camcorder is an ancient but brilliant Sony DCR-TR8000E.

Many thanks

[edDV]

Yes, Digital8 records in DV format and behaves just like a MiniDV camcorder with Firewire (IEEE-1394) transfer.

I suggest WinDV to get the DV-AVI file to the hard drive. Vegas capture can be used but is much less intuitive to learn. Vegas 6 is an excellent program for editing DV format and encoding to DVD MPeg2 spec.

Vegas defaults to 6000Kb/s VBR for "DVD Architect" MPeg2. For handheld camcorder material results will be better at higher bitrate (8300Kb/s CBR or greater). To go higher you would compress audio to MPeg or AC-3.

[KaptinK]

Thanks, yes I have seen WinDV. However is this the 'closest' I will get to actually having an exact (ie lossless) copy ? That is what I would like to achieve. I do not wish to keep my tapes as permanent master copies, I'm preparing for them to decompose gracefully !!

[codecpage]

Thanks, yes I have seen WinDV. However is this the 'closest' I will get to actually having an exact (ie lossless) copy ? That is what I would like to achieve. I do not wish to keep my tapes as permanent master copies, I'm preparing for them to decompose gracefully !!

The closest to exact copy you'll get is to encode to MPEG2 with a good encoder (e.g. CCE Basic) at maximum bitrate (9000 CBR) and then author a DVD with chapters etc.. Most DVD players will also be able to play above "maximum" bit rate, 15000 for example. Some more hints on my page.

An EXACT copy can only be achieved by splitting the DV file in 20 min segments and burn them on data DVDs. I paid about 30 cents a piece for my last Verbatims, so that's still WAY cheaper than with tape. These discs will only play on a PC, of course, I'm not aware of any standalone DVD player supprting DV.

Don't expect your DVDs to last forever, you may want to opy them to new formats again After a while. Backing up on DVD is a good idea nevertheless, as tapes may degrade, and very often they fall victim to aged drives.

Cheers

[edDV]

The DV copy (over WinDV or other IEEE-1394 capture) to the hard drive is an exact copy of the data on the tape. It is possible to loose frames during the capture if the hard drive gets busy doing other things. Long term storage of 13GB/hr. is the problem.

High bitrate 480i MPeg2 DVD comes close. Do not deinterlace.

I'm storing original DV to hard drives until I get HD/BD DVD for DV data storage. Keep the tapes.

[KaptinK]

Following this advice I am now the proud owner of not only exact copies on my hard drive (I have a Seagate 500GB for this) but using CinemaCraft's CCE Basic I now have superbly encoded copies in DVD for the family to watch on TV. It handles fast movement particularly well.

I will dump the hard disk .avi's onto DVD or wait for affordable technology to catch up !!

Many thanks for all your help.