DVD or svcd for Hi8 Capture

[kitzj0]

I have a Sony 340 Hi8 digital camcorder. I use the firewire connection to capture video using Pinnacle Studio 8 (bought this software from Best Buy...with $50 rebate it was $19.99). Was able to capture video with no dropped frames.

My Question is what would you all recommend for saving the video. Is SVCD good quality or should I burn it to DVD. I do not yet have a DVD burner but am looking to get one. Thanks for any suggestions.

[tjdmobile]

Oddly enough, I have a Sony Hi-8 and now a Cannon Z40 Mini-DV. When transferring my Hi-8 videos via DV, I did a lot of experimentation on bitrate and resolution. My findings were as follows:

Hi-8 looks great at either CVD or SVCD resolution. However, for quality of home-shot video, you really need to give it at least 4200 for a bitrate. Less than that gets kinda blocky during high motion.

This said, I am really glad that I got my DVD burner, because I can still fit a couple hours on a DVD, and have video that I know I don't have to go back and re-capture.