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[God's Hand]

I'm starting to get into more video related stuff, such as transfers and full on "productions" for weddings, anniversaries, etc. It's a lot of fun.

So recently about 10 8mm tapes (Video 8) fell into my lap. My original plan was to use this person's Video8 Handycam and trasnfer the tapes through A/V, but alas that was a huge mistake. This camera is 15 years old and is only showing black & white and the heads are totally wrecked.

Now what are my options? The best my research could find was the Sony Digital 8mm Video Walkman. It transfers Hi-8, 8mm, etc. through firewire to your PC. It looks like a great product, and Amazon has it for $549. Is there another product that does JUST that, and not all the extras the Digital 8mm Video Walkman does? I just need something simple that transfers 8mm tapes through firewire... Any advice would be great!

 

[Richiban]

You can get a cheap firewire card for 20 bucks at some places, but it sounds like you need to capture via RCA as well. Check out Dazzle capture cards. Some of them have RCA inputs with a firewire out put.

If I remember correctly, you're in Edmonton. Check out BCOM on the west end.

I shop there for everything I need for my computer.

 

[God's Hand]

No no, see I have a great capture card. The problem is that I need something to put the 8mm tapes into to play back onto my computer. The 15 year old Handycam is dead!

This is what I'm getting at:

You pop the 8mm tape into that, and connect it to your computer through Firewire.

 

[Richiban]

Ah...Me = Retarded. I didn't read your original post that carefully.

If your only deck is the camera, and the camera stinks, I think that the walkman might be your only option unless you can wrangle up a newish 8mm camera that works a little better.

 

[God's Hand]

Alright, thanks. I left a message at CineAV here in the city to see if they have any. I don't know of any other places, so hopefully they do.

 

[manngc]

Wait a sec, you just need to buy a converter case that puts the 8mm tapes into the full size VCR tapes (I'm assuming these are relatively cheap). From there, you can get a Dazzle or Canopus analog to digital converter/capture device. That's all you need.

 

[God's Hand]

No way? Never knew those existed. Thanks! You might have saved me $600.

 

[Richiban]

Wait a sec, you just need to buy a converter case that puts the 8mm tapes into the full size VCR tapes (I'm assuming these are relatively cheap). From there, you can get a Dazzle or Canopus analog to digital converter/capture device. That's all you need.

DOC, YOU'RE A GENIUS

 

[God's Hand]

I can't seem to find any of these 8mm to VHS converters on Google. I think I'm just going to have to splurge and get the video walkman.

 

[mrklaw]

I thought the converters were just for VHS-C, not 8mm or Hi-8, because the actual tape format is physically different?


it this is a one time deal, how about looking into stores that will do 8mm-DVD transfer? Might end up being cheaper and way simpler.

 

[manngc]

Oops, I thought that the film in 8mm tapes were the same size as VHS tapes. I was apparently thinking of VHS-C tapes, not 8mm. Either way, you're probably much better served if you can get a cheap, cheap camcorder (or Borrow one!) that uses 8mm. That saves you money to get a really good analog to digital converter.