# I have a Sony Hi8 Video camera and I want to transfer my tapes to my Windows computer. How? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 8, 2025, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-sony-hi8-video-camera-and-i-want-to-transfer-my-tapes-to-my-windows-computer-how/1024694 "2025-11-08T21:24:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2025, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-sony-hi8-video-camera-and-i-want-to-transfer-my-tapes-to-my-windows-computer-how/1024694/1 "2025-11-08T21:24:59Z")
99.99% sure this has been asked before. Camera in question: > **[Sony Hi8 Tape Player Camcorder Bundle w/ USB](https://tapeplayers.com/products/sony-hi8-tape-player-camcorder-bundle-w-usb?variant=47748162191553)** > > Playback and transfer Hi8 tapes Safely preserve your tapes at home instead of shipping them off Transfer your tapes to computer files or burn to DVD Includes battery, USB adapter, blank tape Shoot vintage style video or playback any 8mm... Camera Outputs: S Video, A/V, RFU DC Computer Inputs: HDMI Need advice on cabling, adaptors, and software. Simpler the better. Thank you in advance, everyone. Let me know what else you need to know - I’ll even take pictures if need be. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2025, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-sony-hi8-video-camera-and-i-want-to-transfer-my-tapes-to-my-windows-computer-how/1024694/2 "2025-11-08T21:31:28Z")
The simplest option is to ship the tapes off to one of the companies that specializes in this. How important is it to you that you do it yourself? ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2025, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-sony-hi8-video-camera-and-i-want-to-transfer-my-tapes-to-my-windows-computer-how/1024694/3 "2025-11-08T21:40:15Z")
Not very, tbh. Do you have any suggestions re: companies? ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2025, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-sony-hi8-video-camera-and-i-want-to-transfer-my-tapes-to-my-windows-computer-how/1024694/4 "2025-11-08T21:50:01Z")
Simplest DIY option is get an S-Video to HDMI adapter and record on your computer using OBS (freeware). ---
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2025, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-sony-hi8-video-camera-and-i-want-to-transfer-my-tapes-to-my-windows-computer-how/1024694/5 "2025-11-08T22:07:23Z")
A little confused here. Are you saying you already have the camcorder shown in that ad? Or are you considering buying that bundle? That bundle includes a video to USB adapter, if you already have a camcorder you just need that adapter. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2025, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-sony-hi8-video-camera-and-i-want-to-transfer-my-tapes-to-my-windows-computer-how/1024694/6 "2025-11-08T22:11:13Z")
I have the camcorder shown in the ad. I do not have any cables that would work - I bought my camcorder in 2001 (and it still works just fine). ---
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2025, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-sony-hi8-video-camera-and-i-want-to-transfer-my-tapes-to-my-windows-computer-how/1024694/7 "2025-11-08T22:17:05Z")
First hot an Amazon for AV to USB adapter: > **[Amazon.com: Oassuose VHS to Digital Converter,USB-A/USB-C Video 1080P Capture...](https://www.amazon.com/Oassuose-Digital-Converter-Capture-Transfer/dp/B0FJYGBR4J)** > > Amazon.com: Oassuose VHS to Digital Converter,USB-A/USB-C Video 1080P Capture Card,RCA/AV to USB2.0 Audio Video Transfer Grabber,Convert Analog VHS VCR Hi8 Mini DV to Digital Converter,for PC DVD Tape Camera : Electronics ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2025, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-sony-hi8-video-camera-and-i-want-to-transfer-my-tapes-to-my-windows-computer-how/1024694/8 "2025-11-08T22:24:57Z")
What is the process for saving off the tapes to the computer? Does it run at real time and can it be recorded at a higher speed? Or is that camera dependent? A project I should real get on myself. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2025, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-sony-hi8-video-camera-and-i-want-to-transfer-my-tapes-to-my-windows-computer-how/1024694/9 "2025-11-08T22:32:46Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > Do you have any suggestions re: companies? I know this is generally frowned on here but I honestly think the best answer is to Google it. Places that do this work are often local and may be your best choice. Sure, you can ship the tapes somewhere but I’d think a local company that does this might be your best choice. YMMV of course. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2025, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-sony-hi8-video-camera-and-i-want-to-transfer-my-tapes-to-my-windows-computer-how/1024694/10 "2025-11-08T22:33:01Z")
Do not close the thread, please, since others have the same question… But I took @Chronos’s advice and paid about $350 to get my 19 tapes digitized. This includes digitization, thumb drives, downloads, and expedited processing so it’s done by Christmas. I’m using Legacybox - Kodak offered the same, but they wouldn’t guarantee Christmas delivery. Local companies wanted $39.99 each, which was WAY too high. I’m digitizing Sophia’s baby videos for her as a Christmas gift, in case y’all care about the use case, lol. ---
**Author:** ![EdwardFound](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/4af34b/32.png) [@EdwardFound](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EdwardFound)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2025, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-sony-hi8-video-camera-and-i-want-to-transfer-my-tapes-to-my-windows-computer-how/1024694/11 "2025-11-08T23:15:15Z")
I recently had 30 Hi8 tapes digitized by Southtree, a company similar to Legacybox. Most of the charges were around $15/tape but Southtree was around $8. That worried me a bit, but the files came out fine. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2025, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-sony-hi8-video-camera-and-i-want-to-transfer-my-tapes-to-my-windows-computer-how/1024694/12 "2025-11-08T23:38:06Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > What is the process for saving off the tapes to the computer? > Does it run at real time and can it be recorded at a higher speed? Once it’s hooked up, with OBS you just run/record in real time. Hit record on OBS, play on your source. Stop when done. Clean up any dead air at each end using your choice of non-linear video editing freeware.