Need to convert 8mm and Hi8

In My Humble Opinion
1

I have hundreds of hours of old 8mm and Hi8 videotapes I’d like to digitize (if the tapes still even work).

Now I know I need a video capture device… any recommendations are appreciated. Also, obviously, I need a playback device. I’ve been looking around for old Hi8 camcorders, and a few forums tell me that some D8 will convert, and there are differing opinions on which are the best.

I don’t mind spending money (within reason), as I have lots of stuff from the late 80s to the early 2000s which I want to convert with the best quality possible (again, within reason).

I am not interested in sending them out to any digital conversion service to do it… I’d much rather do it myself at my leisure.

So, I suppose I’m asking for advice on which capture device I need, and which camcorder, probably used, I should buy. Suggestions are appreciated.

2

A friend of mine recorded his tapes into his DV camcorder. As long as you have or can hire a Hi8 player you are only buying a Dv camcorder. I won’t offer any advice on which one though. Conversion done!

Then (if you have a Apple Mac) you can convert the tapes to DVD using iMovie to add titles, chapters, etc and iDVD to burn the DVDs. Yeah, two programs to make the DVDs is a bit sucky, but they end up pretty good looking for home movies!

Cheers.

3

CostCo (and no doubt many others) offers a service where they will convert these tapes for you, and send them back with DVD’s containing contents.

I don’t remember how much it costs, but if it saves you buying equipment for a one-time use, and saves you a lot of your time, it might be worth it.