Converting old 8mm tapes to digital..help!

[MrMister007]

Hi everyone, thanks in advance for your help.

I'm looking to convert an old 8mm camcorder tape to a digital format, preferably avi, for dvd recording. Right now, I'm trying to use the analog-digital passthrough function on my (also) old Sony DCR-HC36 mini-DV camcorder to do the job. At first it looked pretty easy..I bought a RCA-RCA adapter with the intention of recording into the analog av input on the Sony but it didn't work..and with a bit of snooping I found out that Sony reserved the analog input only for the higher end HC96

In any case, it looks like the only remaining input on the sony is firewire, but as of now I have no equipment to go from composite to firewire.

Is there any solution to my problem? Admittedly, I'm a bit of a newbie to this whole analog capture scene.

[edDV]

Hi everyone, thanks in advance for your help.

I'm looking to convert an old 8mm camcorder tape to a digital format, preferably avi, for dvd recording. Right now, I'm trying to use the analog-digital passthrough function on my (also) old Sony DCR-HC36 mini-DV camcorder to do the job. At first it looked pretty easy..I bought a RCA-RCA adapter with the intention of recording into the analog av input on the Sony but it didn't work..and with a bit of snooping I found out that Sony reserved the analog input only for the higher end HC96

In any case, it looks like the only remaining input on the sony is firewire, but as of now I have no equipment to go from composite to firewire.

Is there any solution to my problem? Admittedly, I'm a bit of a newbie to this whole analog capture scene.

If the camcorder has an analog input, you should be able to record first to DV tape, then capture that tape via IEEE-1364 (Firewire) to hard drive. Try WinDV for capture.

[handyguy]

Play it on a screen & record it with your digital camera video function

[MrMister007]

See that's the issue..Sony seems to have removed the analog input on the DCR36. The manual says it can be used, but after some searching, I came across this thread on cnet which says it cannot. I tried it as well, and I see nothing on the camera lcd when it's plugged the av is plugged into a video output...the only other inputs are firewire and usb..and I'm fairly certain I won't be able to find a composite->firewire converter anywhere..

Any advice?

[edDV]

See that's the issue..Sony seems to have removed the analog input on the DCR36. The manual says it can be used, but after some searching, I came across this thread on cnet which says it cannot. I tried it as well, and I see nothing on the camera lcd when it's plugged the av is plugged into a video output...the only other inputs are firewire and usb..and I'm fairly certain I won't be able to find a composite->firewire converter anywhere..

Any advice?

Sony MiniDV camcorders had a hierarchy of features depending on price point (see manual)

1. No analog inputs
2. Analog input but no "DV pass through". Records to DV tape.
3. Analog inputs with "DV pass through". Records to DV tape or converts and passes through IEEE-1394 without need to record first.

To record analog source you need a different camcorder or an analog to DV device like the Canopus ADVC.

[MrMister007]

I see. I checked out the Canopus but the price is disagreeable. Is there any cheaper alternative?

[edDV]

Buy a camcorder with the needed features or a Canopus ADVC on eBay, transfer the tapes then resell on eBay.

Or you can direct capture analog video/audio using other capture devices. Each has pro/con + learning curve.

[MrMister007]

I ended up getting an Easycap and with a bit of fidgeting, got it to record. Had to edit the audio track to remove noise (and the drivers are a pain), but other than that, it looks good.

Thanks for your help, guys.