Converting Video8/hi8 Tapes To Dvd

[dominique355]

When I started video'ing I used Sony Video8 and later Hi8 cameras. Today I do not have these cameras anymore, neither a player, but I still have the tapes and now I cannot watch them.

Does anyone know about a service who can convert these tapes to DVD?

[Guest Reimar]

At Pantip Plaza, 4. floor! It's an corner Shop near to the Toilets and Staircase, beside of Ventura Computer.

Edited December 17, 2007 by Reimar

[Crossy]

If you want to try it for yourself get a used Digital-8 camera. These will play Hi-8 and Video-8 via Firewire, then you can edit and convert to DVD at your leisure.

It all depends how involved you want to get

[dominique355]

Thanks Reimar, I will check out this place

Crossy, that might also be a good idea. Do you know what software I would need for the conversion?

[Firefoxx]

There are very many shops scattered throughout that do these conversions, your best bet would be at the IT places. The service will be advertised on the shop front.

Digital8 camcorders are cheap, around 10k baht, and accept Hi8 and 8mm tapes recorded in the old formats. You can attach them to a computer with a firewire cable (if the computer doesn't have a firewire port, buy one for around 500 baht). Any video editing software can do the job, including the free MS software in XP, and the freeware virtualdub. WinDV (also freeware) can be used to capture.

[Florin]

I think the cheapest option would be a Composite Video cable & PCI capture card for your PC (or USB capture card if you have a laptop)...you would have to capture in real-time, but it wouldn't run you more than 2000 Baht for the whole setup.

[Crossy]

I think the cheapest option would be a Composite Video cable & PCI capture card for your PC (or USB capture card if you have a laptop)...you would have to capture in real-time, but it wouldn't run you more than 2000 Baht for the whole setup.

True this would work just fine

BUT:-

1. The OP no longer has the cameras used to make the tapes
   
2. The quality of Hi-8 and Video-8 is marginal at best, adding another analog stage to the duplication may just make it unacceptable
   

For a DIY solution I'd still go with a Digital-8 camcorder+firewire

Edited December 20, 2007 by Crossy

[Florin]

You're perfectly right, I missed the fact that he doesn't have any cameras in the first post