Question: Hi8 on 8mm camcorder...?

kentwolf wrote on 8/1/2004, 8:47 PM
Just a question:

My sister sent me all of her 8mm video tapes to put on DVD fo her. It looks like she did not take good care of them, but nonetheless, I have been successful up to this point.

The last tape I have left to do is a Hi 8 video tape. I am attempting to play it on an 8 mm camcorder through my Canopus ADVC-100, but all I am getting is a snowy signal.

Question: Should a Hi 8 cassette video tape be able to play OK on a 8 MM camcorder?

I have done tons of 8mm tapes, but them I went to Mini DV. I am not very familiar with the Hi 8 format. I thought that it should have worked though.

Thanks for any input!

Comments

RalphM wrote on 8/1/2004, 9:06 PM
If it was actually recorded in Hi8 then it will not play back properly on a regular 8 camcorder.

To verify that it is a good tape, suggest you take it to a retailer who carries Hi8 camcorders and try to see if it plays properly. If so, then try to borrow a Hi8 to do the transfer
kentwolf wrote on 8/1/2004, 9:35 PM
Got it.

Thanks for the info!
randy-stewart wrote on 8/2/2004, 1:19 AM
You might also try a digital 8 camcorder (Sony Handicam) as they read 8mm tapes just fine and convert them to digial on output to the computer via firewire.
Randy
farss wrote on 8/2/2004, 4:00 AM
Just to add to the above.

You can only play regular 8mm on regular 8mm kit.
On Hi8 gear you can play reg. 8mm and Hi8.
On Digital 8 you can play 8mm,Hi8 and D8.

Biggest plus with the D8 gear is you get firewire out plus Digital Noise Reduction and Time Base Correction, two things you don't get with the ADVC-100.

Bob.
RalphM wrote on 8/2/2004, 4:04 AM
If I read the specs correctly, the low end Sony D8 is now D8 only - doesn't read 8mm/Hi8...
MyST wrote on 8/2/2004, 4:21 AM
That's right.
The TRV-260 doesn't read 8mm/Hi8.
I got the TRV-460 and it does have this capability. I already used it.

Mario
epirb wrote on 8/2/2004, 6:05 AM
I've got an old trv98 hi8 sony if you need to, you could send me the tape and I'll do a direct to DV transfer. Or I coud loan it to you if your in a pinch.
You can email directly at epirb(at) comcast.net