Hi8 Tape To Digital Format

[BngkkB]

I have some Hi8 Video tape I would like to put in to the Video file on my computer. The problem is that I do not have a Hi8 Video Camera or Hi8 Video Player. I do have newer HDD Video Camera. I have read that I can either A): Get a used Hi8 Video Player and wire to my HDD Video Camera to put the tapes into Digital Format then transfer to my Computer. Or : I can get a used Hi8 Video Camera and I can wire that directly to my computer to transfer the tapes to Digital format. I have over a dozen tapes and I'm not really sure what is one them so I don't want to pay a lab to do it incase they contain mostly junk.

Questions:

1) Which is my better option A or B?

2) Where do I find the equipment in Bangkok for answer A (Hi8 Video Player) or B (Hi8 Video Camera) and roughly how much would they run?

3) Is there another way to do this that I am missing?

Thank You for your help with this.

[paulchiangmai]

I had a few tapes put on discs recently and the quality was very dissapointing, these were converted in Pantip plaza Chiang Mai. I have other tapes to convert so I will be very interested in replies also.

[astral]

Are you sure the tapes are still in good order?

The climate in Thailand is not good for tapes.

[BngkkB]

Good question Astral? I have no idea, they are stored in a plastic bag in a box in a closet. Another reason I don't want to go to a lab to do the work. I've heard there is a old electronics dealer in "The Old Siam" in China town. I will check there the next time I am down in that area. Unless anyone else already knows?

[Mysonsfather]

Hi all. I have done this a few months ago with my Canon UC-X2 HI camera and my Dazzle dvd recorder from Pinnacle. Some of the tape was over 10 years old but the result was very good. my setup was, from s-video out from camera to pinnacle decodern and to the computer via usb. Tested a lot of different program and settings before i was satisfied. Stored on the computer and after that burned to dvd.

[Crossy]

If you can find a used Digital-8 camcorder they will play Hi-8 out of the firewire port, easy conversion.

I have a suitable camera, but I'm not in Thailand until October, how many tapes need doing?

[BngkkB]

Thank you, Crossy for letting me know about the Digital 8 Camcorder being able to do the job. That should make the search a little easier. I think I have about 10 +/- tapes to do, but again I can't remember if they are full or only have a few minutes on each it's been so long since I shot them. If I can't find an old camcorder here I will check the pawn shops back in America on my next visit. I will also look into Pinnacle, thanks Mysonsfather.

[astral]

Are the tapes PAL or NTSC?

I am not sure NTSC tapes will play on a PAL camera.

Another point to watch.

[Crossy]

Are the tapes PAL or NTSC?

I am not sure NTSC tapes will play on a PAL camera.

Another point to watch.

Very good point, my camcorder is PAL (Malaysia), offer is still open for a trial if our OP fails elsewhere.

[BngkkB]

My original camera was purchased in the USA, so would that be PAL or NTSC?

[astral]

NTSC for certain.