I have read hours and hours of threads. I think I need to give my specifics and ask for the best method to do what I'm trying to do.
My specs:
I have an old Sony Hi8 analog camcorder CCD-TRV75 and several Hi8 tapes which I would like to convert to digital format for two reasons:
1. To archive in the best quality and for easiest (most options) for translating to future storage and viewing technology.
2. To edit in iMovie on my MacBook (2,4 Intel Core 2 Duo) (has firewire port) and burn some DVD's to share with family/friends.
I also have a newer Sony digital camcorder DCR-HC21 (not a Digital8).

Facts I believe I understand (correct me where I go wrong):

o I cannot use my newer digital camera as a pass-thru to convert my analog Hi8 tapes to digital since the newer digital cam is NOT D8 (Digital8).
o For best quality, I think I need to acquire a Digital 8 camera to play the Hi8 tapes as the starting point in the conversion process as my old Hi8 cam listed above would have to utilize S-video cable for the video output (and the composite cables for the audio output) and there would be degradation in the quality in doing this over putting the Hi8 tapes in a D8 cam and playing (outputting) the video this way.
o Can I then connect the newly acquired D8 cam to my MacBook (via firewire--best option for several reasons so I've read). Question-does Sony D8 cam have a firewire output port. (The one I keep reading about for this process is the Sony TRV-460.)
o Once the digitized video is in iMovie, I can edit it and then should put in back onto Mini DV tape (using my existing newer Digital DCR-HC21.
o Question, does iMovie keep it in DV-AVI format or does it convert it to MPEG-2, which is a degradation in quality, right?
(I probably have misused some terminology as I am new at this and learning as I go. Please educate me!)

Kindly tell me if where I'm going wrong above and/or if I should just look at purchasing a converter "box" instead and if so, which one????
Please help. Thanks so much!
P.S. If it helps in making a decision on which way to go, I also have tapes in my newer digital cam DCR-HC21 which need to be transferred to iMovie, but I believe because they are already in digital format, it should be a no-brainer???
Any input is GREATLY appreciated![/list]