OT video8/Hi8

mrcreosote wrote on 7/11/2004, 11:52 PM

Just a bit OT, my video 8 sony died halfway through converting some old tapes to DVD (using Vegas of course).
I am thinking of buying another camera, but can anyone tell me if a Hi-8 camera will play standard Video 8 Tapes as a matter of course, or is it only some cameras that will play both formats.
I guess what I' m asking is , is Hi-8 backwardly compatible with video 8??

Thanks

Allan

Comments

markrad wrote on 7/12/2004, 12:38 AM

Yes, a Hi-8 camera will play back standard 8mm tapes.

Not sure what you are using to convert your 8mm tapes but if you are in the market for a new camera you might consider a Sony Digital8 camera. That would be the ultimate in backwards compatibility and the camera can be used as a pass-thru analog to digital converter. Plus all your new footage would be recorded in Digital format!

Mark

mrcreosote wrote on 7/12/2004, 1:40 AM

Thanks for the info, was using an older Sony Video 8 via feedthrough my
newerJVC mini DV then firewire to Vegas.
But have recently borrowed a Sony TRV 340 which , as you say, takes the
Video 8 tape and gives DV straight out.Very convenient, so will probably check ebay etc, for one ike that.

Allan

mcgeedo wrote on 7/12/2004, 7:43 AM

The TRV350 also does pass-thru.

craftech wrote on 7/12/2004, 9:25 AM

Be sure to check the CCD size if you are buying a newer 8mm camera. Most of them don't have nearly as good an image quality as the older ones because the industry trend was to decrease the CCD size, but add new and often unnecessary features. The best would be a 1/3 CCD but you will have a very hard time finding one that is even 1/4 CCD today. Same for Digital 8 cameras.

John